Dr LeCrone
03-24-2006, 03:09 PM
Last week we talked about the Type-A behavior pattern, its characteristics, and correlation with heart disease and other health problems. Quite a bit of research indicates that these personalities are acquired through learning from our parents.
This week we will examine what can be done to modify the Type-A behavior pattern into the Type-B pattern, which is more easy going, less time-urgent, less hostile and angry. Type As need to control everything in life – family, employees and even friends. Their high need for control is closely related to a need for perfection. When everything isn’t falling into place, Type As get upset and intent in making everything right.
First, our goal is to modify the Type A, not to completely change that individual. Most experts agree that a complete change is impossible. We hope to lessen the destructive elements for the Type A.
Decreasing the need for control becomes a task of re-orienting the Type A into accepting less than perfection. Unfortunately, many perfectionists equate this concept with mediocrity. Of course, this is not true. Setting high but realistic goals for one’s self is a positive characteristic, but equating any lack of full completion of these goals with failure is distorted and unproductive thinking. Indeed, we all know that learning from mistakes is a sign of maturity. If one never makes a mistake, how can one improve on anything?
• Learning to control time-urgency requires strong motivation but can be accomplished through practice. I know individuals who simply take their watches off while on vacation and practice deciding mealtime by felt hunger and deciding bedtime by being sleepy. Dividing a 24-hour period into simply daytime and nighttime is quite a change for most of us who live by the clock. When vacation time is over, try leaving early for appointments so you are not always rushing. Take a magazine or book along in case you do have to wait. If you encounter a wait in a line at a restaurant or a movie, develop some mental diversion to take your mind off the time. One friend of mine who is working hard to change his Type-A characteristics tell me that eh practices passing the time by looking for other Type As and reminding himself that he doesn’t want to have those characteristics.
• Type As need to begin viewing life as something less than a constant struggle where they are always having to run to stay ahead of the pack.
• Type As should begin to focus more on the quality of life rather than on the quantitative aspects of their existence. Type As are usually intent on acquiring material possessions. Somehow this convinces them that they are doing the right thing in life. Ask a Type A the last time he or she viewed a gorgeous sunset or listened to an evening of classical music.
• Type As need to focus on developing relationships based on simple friendship instead of seeking relationships with an ulterior motive such as the furtherance of business connections.
People who want to change from the Type-A personality behavior pattern need to first decide that there is a need for change, then commit themselves to the process of brining this change about.
Remember, you may not be able to avoid certain situations, but you can change the way you react. You don’t have to be a hot reactor.
Harold H. LeCrone, Jr., Ph.D. Copyright 1985
This week we will examine what can be done to modify the Type-A behavior pattern into the Type-B pattern, which is more easy going, less time-urgent, less hostile and angry. Type As need to control everything in life – family, employees and even friends. Their high need for control is closely related to a need for perfection. When everything isn’t falling into place, Type As get upset and intent in making everything right.
First, our goal is to modify the Type A, not to completely change that individual. Most experts agree that a complete change is impossible. We hope to lessen the destructive elements for the Type A.
Decreasing the need for control becomes a task of re-orienting the Type A into accepting less than perfection. Unfortunately, many perfectionists equate this concept with mediocrity. Of course, this is not true. Setting high but realistic goals for one’s self is a positive characteristic, but equating any lack of full completion of these goals with failure is distorted and unproductive thinking. Indeed, we all know that learning from mistakes is a sign of maturity. If one never makes a mistake, how can one improve on anything?
• Learning to control time-urgency requires strong motivation but can be accomplished through practice. I know individuals who simply take their watches off while on vacation and practice deciding mealtime by felt hunger and deciding bedtime by being sleepy. Dividing a 24-hour period into simply daytime and nighttime is quite a change for most of us who live by the clock. When vacation time is over, try leaving early for appointments so you are not always rushing. Take a magazine or book along in case you do have to wait. If you encounter a wait in a line at a restaurant or a movie, develop some mental diversion to take your mind off the time. One friend of mine who is working hard to change his Type-A characteristics tell me that eh practices passing the time by looking for other Type As and reminding himself that he doesn’t want to have those characteristics.
• Type As need to begin viewing life as something less than a constant struggle where they are always having to run to stay ahead of the pack.
• Type As should begin to focus more on the quality of life rather than on the quantitative aspects of their existence. Type As are usually intent on acquiring material possessions. Somehow this convinces them that they are doing the right thing in life. Ask a Type A the last time he or she viewed a gorgeous sunset or listened to an evening of classical music.
• Type As need to focus on developing relationships based on simple friendship instead of seeking relationships with an ulterior motive such as the furtherance of business connections.
People who want to change from the Type-A personality behavior pattern need to first decide that there is a need for change, then commit themselves to the process of brining this change about.
Remember, you may not be able to avoid certain situations, but you can change the way you react. You don’t have to be a hot reactor.
Harold H. LeCrone, Jr., Ph.D. Copyright 1985