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If you recognize yourself in the
description of Type As, use the following chart to compare what you
have to lose to what you have to gain by changing your behavior.
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Change from . . . |
Change to . . . |
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Driving against deadlines, which are
often set unnecessarily aggressively by
an internal clock.
|
Setting realistic deadlines that are
appropriately competitive. |
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Impatience with everything, especially
with people, including family, friends
and colleagues. |
Being patient with people, promoting a
healthy balance at work, with family,
and with friends and colleagues. |
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Being defined by work, because it
represents the number one interest. |
Balancing work, family, and recreation.
|
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Having to come in first, dominate the
conversation, be the authority. |
Being confidently competitive to
complete projects on an agreed-on,
realistic timetable. |
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Being forceful in speech, actions, and
human relations. |
Being comfortable in conversation;
learning from others. |
|
Never listening, only waiting to talk.
|
Being persuasive in speech, and
confident and deliberate in actions;
listening carefully and speaking clearly
when you can contribute or are asked. |
If that is not enough to convince
you, think of what it will do for your health. You will:
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Avoid high
cholesterol and the need for cholesterol-lowering drugs
in the future.
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Avoid high
triglycerides.
-
Avoid high blood
pressure and the drugs to lower it, with all their side
effects.
-
Avoid high blood
sugar.
-
Avoid high levels
of blood-clotting factors.
About 70 percent of personality is
genetic. That genetic base is shaped, changed, and honed by our
parental nurturing, peer group, and the practical need to get ahead
and earn a living. If you can overcome half that inherited part (35
percent) and change the remaining 30 percent, you can convert about
65 percent of Type A behavior to Type B. This is a pretty healthy
blend that should allow you to succeed, as well as live long enough
to enjoy your success.
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