You probably know what your basic personality type is, and possibly your Myers-Briggs designation. How about your organizational personality type? A friend of mine linked to this article from Facebook the other day.
Its author explains why some creative people have trouble getting things done. She says there are four organizational personality types: fantastical, structural, analytical, and environmental, but that most ‘how to get organized’ books are written by one of those four types (guess which, lol) for the type they’re in. After all, that’s what they understand.
Curious about your organizational personality profile? Click here for a fifteen question quiz. Then see if you fit the profile.
I took the quiz and was surprised (not very) to find I was structural, which somehow doesn’t keep me from having piles of stuff on my desk. Here’s part of the structural personality profile:
Once you find something that works, you tend to stick to it without considering whether your systems could be streamlined. Or there may be something else that could work wonderfully for you, but you’re not likely to look for it.
Oh my. Yes, that’s me. In many cases I know there’s something better out there but the learning curve is so steep that I feel I’m better off sticking with what works. Sigh. Guess I should branch out a little more!
Take the quiz! Come back and tell me what your organizational personality type is…and whether you agree.
I’m fantastical – only I don’t have room on my desk for piles of individual projects so everything tends to get mashed together. But I usually remember where everything is until I put some things away – and then I have to rack my brain trying to remember where “away” is! Needing to have everything in front of me is true for my digital world, too. My poor computer has so many tabs and windows open constantly. Oh, and the “bursts of organization for the novelty of it” fits me to a T! I once arranged all my books in order by historical time period.
Had to laugh at arranging books by historical time period. That’s a new one on me! But I always have an overloaded desktop on my laptop. I need a bunch of stuff one click away!
I’m fantastical. And the questions were pretty fun. I was frequently drawn toward two of the answers, though.
There were some situations that were so farfetched I had a hard time choosing, too. But fantastical didn’t seem to be one of my options! (surprise)
I’m also Fantasitcal. And I rarely get to bed before 2 am because I get so involved in something that I do lose track of time. My husband is Structural (he’s a BORN organizer) and my wackydoodle ways drive him crazy. But he loves me anyway. 😉
I’ve heard of 2am but I thought it was just an urban myth! I turn into a pumpkin at 10pm. Yay for spouses who love us anyway, and thanks for sharing the link om FB, Tam!
You’re very welcome!
I try to MAKE MYSELF go to bed at 1. Because if I don’t, 4 am is quite possible (or 4:30, or, well, later) then I’ll sleep most of the day away, which puts regular life scheduling (like supper, errands, etc) totally out of whack and greatly aggravates my family. My natural rhythm, however, prefers to sleep from about 2:30 am until 10am or so, and I’m most productive between 4pm and 1 am. Seriously. Early risers are nuts as far as I’m concerned. I’m not functional beyond staggering to the bathroom and flumping on the couch until at *least* 10:30 in the morning, regardless of when I go to bed or get up. 😉 Plus I’m a hyper-creative (writing, quilting, art, cooking, and on and on) and my muse is rarely around if the sun’s up. She is, however, ready to GO!! around 2 o’clock in the morning. I do my best writing then, even tho I don’t usually allow myself to stay up that late. 😉
I’ve heard about people like you, Tam! I’m not a true morning person either. I’m at my best nine to noon, so that’s when I try to hit the writing on word count days. Then, if I’m on a roll, I can get lots more in the afternoon, but it’s hard to start from cold after lunch.
My hubby’s natural schedule is something like yours, as is my son’s. Bed around 2, sleep till 10. (Which Jim can’t do often being as he starts work at 6am!) I don’t know why society has such a problem with that variation, come to think of it. They still (usually) only sleep eight hours, same as those who sleep 11-7. Hmm.
Oh, I loved this. I’m structural like you Valerie. Although, working from home some of my answers were strictly hypothetical. I often stay up until the wee hours…so I wouldn’t set the alarm for 6:30 am. But…if I did, I’d get up. LOL
I guess we’re in the 25% who “get” those get organized books. But I loved their advice on how to overcome our shortcomings. Thanks for sharing this.
Glad you enjoyed it, Sandra! My problem with all those organizational books is that I don’t DO them, even if I ‘get’ them!