What’s Your Personality Color?

Recently, Tamra took a class for teachers about how to analyze their students’ personalities so that they can better understand each one’s learning style. She liked the method so much that she eagerly came over to analyze each of us. Okay, I admit, we are the kind of folks who clearly love to talk about ourselves and we take a great deal of pleasure in judging others, so this activity was a sure winner.

Turns out, it was fun and fascinating. Tam asked us about 70 questions assessing things like if we saw ourselves as opportunistic or traditional, responsible or harmonious, inventive or competent, dramatic or determined, composed or impulsive. Did we rehearse phone calls before initiating them? Did we plan activities in advance or go by the seat of our pants? Based on our answers, a personality profile is formed, indicating what we’re really like.

Alexis and I turned out to be “blue.” We’re emotional and sensitive, creative, and not so fabulous in the planning/detail area of life.

Ned and Tamra? Well, they’re mostly “gold.” They excel in planning and detail and they’re not too comfortable with a spontaneous approach to life.

Shira was in a world of her own. She’s “orange” with a side of “blue.” She’s more spontaneous than the rest of us but she also has a strong sensitive side.

I think parents could benefit from similarly assessing themselves and their children. Knowing what makes your kids “tick” could make a difference in the way you deal with them. Plus, knowing how you function empowers you to use your strengths to overcome your weaknesses. While this isn’t the test we took, I found a couple online that are similar if you’d like to try one. http://www.outofservice.com/bigfive/ and www.personaldna.com.

Alexis Writes:
I wasn’t surprised with the results of my personality test. Mostly, because before I even knew anything about it Tamra said “You are so blue.” I am okay with being a blue. Many of my personality aspects are what make me a pretty good teacher. Sometimes my sensitive side overtakes me but I think for the most part it brings more good than bad. I’m not spontaneous but I don’t really want to be. If I could work on an aspect of my personality it would probably organization. Everything doesn’t have to be in its exact place in my world and it bothers people sometimes. My husband took the test too and it turns out that he was a gold, so he picks up the slack in the planning department. However, I think maybe he lied on some of his answers, I feel pretty sure that he’s a green. Regardless of whatever color you are, I think nothing is wrong with looking at who you are and deciding what you value about yourself and what you’d like to improve. All your children could benefit with reflection on who they are and who they’d like to be.

Tamra Writes:
I think it is important to know what kind of person you are, and to understand that the people you encounter in life in many cases, are going to be different from you. It’s something we have to deal with, and if you understand where people are coming from, while you might disagree, at least you know why they are being the way they are. When I started this class, I knew what color I was going to be. I know that I need routine and plans and details are very important to me. I know I am not spontaneous and I like things neat and orderly (wow, I sound fun), and I wasn’t looking forward to learning about all these really annoying things that are a part of my personality. But in order to get the 3 credits, I had to suck it up and start analyzing. There are definitely good things about being “gold,” and there are things that I wish I could change. Learning about the other personalities gave me an idea of what the other people in my family were like. It was pretty easy to know what they were all going to come out to be. There are things that I would like to work on, like being more flexible with plans and maybe being more spontaneous and doing something without knowing in advance. Perhaps I would even like to be less judgmental (but what fun would that be?) and more open-minded in some cases. All in all, it was a good learning experience. We all operate differently, which is what makes things interesting. And most importantly, now I know I can’t date anyone who is “orange,” it would never work out, sorry boys.

Shira Writes:
First of all, I was more blue than orange; that information is incorrect. Tamra just decided that she thought I would be more orange, but that was not the actual result. While I was taking the test, Tamra commented that I was “all over the place.” Apparently my answers did not really fit neatly into one color, and I have to say I was not surprised. In my social life, when I’m among friends, I am spontaneous and don’t try to plan things too much. From a social standpoint, I think too much planning leads to not enough fun, and then what is the point? I may not be as sensitive as Alexis (no one is), but I certainly have my moments. I’ve been known to cry at cell phone commercials (you must know the one with the little girl and the stuffed monkey). I think being a “blue” is a big part of what makes someone a good teacher. Professionally, I try to be as organized as possible. I’ve developed a system for searching and applying for jobs that I think maximizes the number of opportunities I have. I kept my classroom as neat and orderly as possible, and couldn’t leave work until my desk was clear. My dad told me recently that I was surprised by how little I need to prepare for job interviews, but I think reciting a rehearsed answer makes it sound like I don’t really know what I’m talking about. I’d rather not sound like a robot when I’m trying to impress people. Like Alexis, I would probably benefit from more organization in other aspects of my life. If I go to the supermarket without a list, I am guaranteed to forget everything I didn’t write down. I guess it is important to understand that even people in families as close as ours can have really different personalities. Alexis, Tamra and I are often being confused for each other by people who don’t know us well, so it’s nice to have some concrete evidence that we are not actually interchangeable. And I would love to find a nice “orange” boy.

Tamra Writes:
The last thing Shira needs is an “orange” boy.

Ned Writes:
If green means money why don’t you guys try for a “green” boy?

Mom Writes:

I think it’s valuable to think about the people you grew up to be. Plus, knowing what you are like should help you all to raise kids you understand a bit.