Jelena Dincic
Are you super competitive?
Do you find yourself getting impatient and irritable often?
Are you achievement-oriented?
If you answered yes, it sounds to me like you could be a classic Type A personality.
While Type A personalities stand out with their go-getter attitudes, relentless drive, and determination, they also have less positive behaviors that often leave them feeling stressed and put a strain on their relationships.
If you have a sneaking suspicion that you may be a Type A personality, read on as we take a look at 15 key behaviors!
1) Ambitious
Let’s start with a positive behavior.
Type A personalities dream big and set their sights on pretty ambitious goals.
They’re driven by their desire to achieve great things and can’t stand the idea of being mediocre.
Whether it’s climbing the corporate ladder or climbing the highest mountain peaks, one thing is for sure – they’re motivated and determined.
Does this ring any bells?
2) Don’t waste time
The way they see it, time is of the essence.
When it comes to punctuality and respect for time, Type A personalities are like the Swiss and the Germans.
They make a point of always being on time, value efficiency, and try their very best to make the most of every minute.
Life is short and it’s a pity to waste even a minute of it. Would you agree?
3) Competitive
Do you have an innate drive to be the best at everything?
That’s another sign of a classic Type A personality.
Unfortunately, a lot of people probably find you annoying. I mean, you’re constantly looking to outperform others, you can’t help it, it’s part of your personality.
For example, your coworkers may be happy to complete the tasks they were assigned – but not you. You want to show the boss that you’re the best employee, so you take on extra work and stay at the office in the evenings and on weekends, going above and beyond.
It’s no wonder they find you annoying, you make them look bad.
Unless you’re a professional athlete, I suggest you try to tone down your competitive nature. Tell yourself it’s ok if someone else does better than you. Understand that not everything is a competition.
4) Perfectionist
Another thing about Type A personalities is their obsession with perfection.
They have a keen eye for detail and set high standards – not just for themselves but for everyone else as well.
They’re never satisfied with anything less than perfect, which can make life for them and the people around them difficult.
If you recognize yourself in this search for perfection, listen up: Perfection cannot really be achieved and by making it a priority in your life, you’ll just end up being disappointed and frustrated.
I get working for the best results, but you need to learn to say, “This is good enough” from time to time.
5) Highly organized
Does your love for planning everything drive people nuts?
Well, I’ve got news for you: Structure and order are a key part of a Type A personality’s life.
Yup, they just love planning and organizing, both professionally and personally.
If you’re a Type A, you probably have a color-coded calendar, detailed to-do lists, and neat, clutter-free workspaces. Am I right?
I’m sure that your organizational skills often come in handy, just remember to relax and be spontaneous from time to time.
6) Impatient
If patience is a virtue, it’s not one that Type A personalities have.
They can’t stand delays or inefficiencies and don’t get them started on bureaucracy.
They want swift action and immediate results.
So if waiting in long lines or having to endure slow customer service makes you nuts, you know what personality type you are.
7) Workaholic
How much do you love your job?
How much time do you spend at work?
See, the reason I’m asking is because the classic Type A personality is a devoted workaholic.
It’s true, they’re known for completely immersing themselves in their careers, so much so that they often sacrifice their personal life for professional pursuits.
Here’s a friendly word of advice: Be careful not to neglect your family and friends or to put work first. If you do, you may just find yourself alone and friendless. The key is to find a good life-work balance.
8) Multitasker
Turns out that juggling multiple tasks is second nature to Type A personalities.
It’s like they can split their brain into several parts to tackle various things at once. What’s more, they make it seem easy.
So, if you’re a type A, you could for example be able to effortlessly respond to emails, participate in a conference call, and brainstorm ideas for an upcoming presentation, all while organizing your desk!
Now, that doesn’t sound too bad, does it?
9) Sense of urgency
Here’s another positive thing about Type A personalities – they approach tasks with a “get-it-done-now” attitude, minimizing procrastination and maximizing productivity.
For example, when presented with a critical project deadline, a Type A springs into action, wasting no time
They thrive under pressure, mobilizing their team and working tirelessly to meet the deadline.
And the best part?
Their ability to prioritize tasks and focus on what matters most allows them to navigate high-stress situations with exceptional efficiency.
10) Aggressive
Look, it may not be pretty, but you need to know this.
Type A personalities are known to be assertive to the point of being aggressive when it comes to pursuing their goals and achieving success.
Their intense drive, competitive nature, and direct communication style contribute to this trait.
Now, while assertiveness can be a good thing, aggression is not and can end up creating tension and ruining relationships.
That’s why it’s super important for Type As to be aware of their behavior and find a healthy balance between ambition and consideration for others.
11) Highly driven
The great thing about Type As is that they’re motivated and persistently working towards their goals, even when faced with challenges or setbacks.
For example, athletes that persevere through rigorous training and setbacks and are able to maintain focus on achieving their personal best are Type A personalities.
12) Difficulty relaxing
Do you find it hard to switch your brain off?
Like, even when you’re on holiday you keep looking at your phone and checking your emails?
That’s a classic Type A personality behavior.
Your mind is wired for constant action and you find it challenging to unwind and disconnect.
If you want to learn to let go, why not take up meditation?
13) Trouble delegating
Ah yes, the “I do it best” scenario.
The thing about Type As is that they feel like they always need to be in control of tasks. They have a hard time delegating and feel like they need to take charge.
In other words: they’re control freaks.
Would you say that this is another behavior you can relate to?
14) Difficulty accepting failure
Interesting fact: Type A personalities have a hard time accepting failure and can be pretty critical of themselves when they don’t meet their goals.
They see setbacks as personal challenges and are determined to bounce back quickly.
Now, their strong aversion to failure can be both a strength and a challenge.
On the one hand, it motivates them to keep going and drives them toward possible success.
On the other hand, the fear of failure can sometimes create a lot of self-imposed pressure and stress.
15) Expressive
Finally, Type A personalities are not what you’d call “shy” when it comes to expressing their thoughts and emotions.
In fact, they’re usually the life of the party, drawing others in with their animated storytelling and infectious enthusiasm.
Their expressive nature makes them captivating conversationalists, leaving a lasting impression on everyone they meet.
Be sure to nourish this positive behavior.
The bottom line
If you recognize yourself as a Type A personality, you may be worried about some of the less-than-positive behaviors.
But don’t panic, nothing is set in stone!
Try to take advantage of the positive behaviors of your personality type while working to transform the negative ones.
By learning to be self-aware and emotionally intelligent, you can find a balance between the different aspects of your personality that will help you learn to relax and improve your relationships.
How does that sound?
