Type A behavior: What it means to have a Type A personality
Two cardiologists, Meyer Friedman and Ray Rosenman, are believed to have come up with the idea of personality typing in the 1950s. The first of these personality types is usually called Type A. Type A people tend to be achievement-driven, on time, and organized. Many CEOs, financial managers, supervisors, and team leaders may have this personality type. While many of the traits that can come with a Type A personality can be positive and beneficial, they can also lead to burnout and other mental health concerns in some cases. Working with a therapist in person or online can empower you to find a healthy balance between ambition, achievement, and relaxation.
Characteristics of Type A personalities
Ambitious
Type A personalities typically have no trouble setting goals and achieving them.
If you have a Type A personality, it may be as simple as setting a goal, accomplishing it, and moving on to the next one. No matter how long it takes to get to that finish line, you may continue vigorously until you reach it. You may know the ins and outs of long- and short-term goal management and make it your job to always stay on track.
No feat may be too big or too small for someone with a Type A personality. You generally aren’t afraid to shoot for the stars, and you usually don't care how crazy others may think you are for having such big dreams. You may find the strength and power within yourself time and again to make goals and achieve them.
Organized
A Type A personality may demand that you keep an organized and clean work and home space.
You may not be the kind of person who believes in an organized mess. You likely believe there is a place for everything. All areas that you frequent, such as your car, home, and work desk, may be in tip-top shape at any given time.
If you find something out of place or unclean, your personality may not allow you to leave it be. It doesn't usually take you very long to whip even the most disorganized mess into shape.
Punctual
Those with a Type A personality don't usually allow themselves to be fashionably late.
You may rise with the sun and get everything done with plenty of time to spare. You may not only like to be on time, but usually prefer to be several minutes early. During family events, you will often be the first to arrive and the last to leave (because your need for cleanliness may demand that you help clean up).
At work, you are likely a master of scheduling. You are typically on time and present at every meeting, every conference call, and every shift. "Late" may not be a word in your vocabulary.
Impatient
Because you generally have so much energy geared toward every little thing in your life, your capacity for patience can wear thin quickly.
You will normally not be pleased with others' disorganization or tardiness. You may not be bothered with negative emotions or energy around you, either. You likely have no patience for those who contribute these things to your life. Much like with your surroundings, you may have no trouble "taking out the trash" when it comes to people who drag you down.
Additionally, doctors' waiting rooms and government appointments can be your biggest enemies. You may stare the clock down and watch as the minutes pass slower than you could imagine. When the rest of the world doesn't keep up with your pace, you may become frustrated, especially when you have no control over how long things are taking.
Competitive
One thing people will likely notice about you because of your Type A personality is your competitiveness.
This is generally rooted in your need to be successful and your deep desire to achieve all the goals you set for yourself. Being competitive may not just refer to sports. You may be the kind of person who makes almost everything a competition. Whether it's who can get done at the grocery store fastest or who can finish the most work at the end of the day, you may strive to outshine anyone who challenges you.
This can be a good trait to have for many reasons, but many people with Type A personalities forget to stop and enjoy the moment because of it. While it might feel good to compete and win, try not to let it take over too much of your life. Instead, remember to take a second and slow down.
Valuing quality over quantity
As a person with a Type A personality, you usually don't let your need for getting things done quickly affect the quality of the work you do. You normally understand the value of quality over all else. While you may know you would be able to turn out mediocre work at a very fast pace, you typically don't. You may take your time and pay attention to each detail to make sure the best possible product comes out at the end.
Needing control
People with Type A personalities usually keep calendars, run grocery lists, and thought journals to organize and manage their daily activities. You may plan for almost every outcome you can think of.
This can be a very valuable trait to have since you will likely come prepared for almost any situation. The only downside may be when things inevitably go wrong. When you are met with a bump in the road, you should remember that no one may plan for absolutely everything, and it can be normal to hit a few roadblocks on the way to success.
When you experience a loss of control, you may feel chaotic inside as a result. This can be a common feeling among people with Type A personalities, and you should try not to feel down or upset about it. Instead, you might pick yourself back up and keep moving. After all, you can only learn from your mistakes if you make them!
Perfectionistic
As a person with a Type A personality, you will likely strive for perfection in everything you do.
Whether it’s completing projects at work, throwing a simple birthday party, or arranging towels in the closet on a Sunday, you may have an overwhelming urge to make sure everything is just perfect. For this reason, you can be a fantastic person for people to turn to when they need a critical eye.
When something falls short of the high standard you set for it, you may become discouraged or want to give up on the project. This can be another instance where you generally shouldn't let your Type A personality get the best of you. Try to pick up and move on. You might remind yourself that you are your own worst critic. Others probably won't even notice the things you are hyper-focused on.
Having low self-esteem
The downside to having such high expectations for yourself and the world around you can be that there will never be a perfect way to live. You may fall short of the expectations you have for yourself, and you may set the bar too high sometimes. Because you tend to be highly critical of most things, this can be a huge blow to your self-esteem.
You should generally remember to love yourself despite your insecurities or shortcomings. In addition to your personality type, these can be the things that make you who you are.
Having a fast-paced lifestyle
Those with Type A personalities may always be on the go.
Because you typically have a long to-do list and overwhelming ambition to match, you will likely fill your days with as many activities as you can jam in. Your weekends may fly by, and even time after work can be spent doing countless tasks.
Taking a day or evening to relax may not be something that sounds exciting to you, but breaks can be important for your mental health. You may only be able to continue at this pace for so long before you reach a point of burnout.
Benefits of online therapy
If you find yourself having difficulty keeping up with the pace your Type A personality seems to demand, you might consider online therapy. Attending sessions online can be convenient as there are often appointment times available outside of typical office hours, potentially enabling you to fit therapy into your existing routine. With an online therapy platform, it can be simple to match with a therapist who has experience helping others with similar challenges and concerns.
Looking to better understand your personality?Effectiveness of online therapy
More research may be needed regarding the efficacy of online therapy in supporting those with Type A personalities. However, a large body of evidence suggests that, in general, online therapy is just as effective as in-person therapy when it comes to treating a wide variety of mental health disorders.
Takeaway
What does it mean to be type A?
Individuals with a Type A personality tend to be ambitious and high-achieving. They are also known for being highly organized and competitive, both personally and professionally. However, this is just one type of personality classification. People can have traits from a variety of types across different personality frameworks.
Are type A personalities hostile?
According to research published in The Clinician’s Handbook of Natural Medicine, individuals with a Type A personality can be competitive and hostile at times. They may demonstrate a lack of patience and a sense of urgency. However, they tend to have other strong qualities, such as ambition and organization skills.
Do type A and B personalities get along?
Type A and B personalities tend to have different characteristics. For example, type A’s tend to be ambitious and self-critical, whereas type B’s tend to be optimistic and easy-going. While the differences between type A and type B personality traits can sometimes lead people to clash, they may also get along well, depending on the specific individuals and the context.
Are type A people controlling?
Some people with a type A personality may be controlling at times. Their drive may lead them to be task-oriented in a way that comes across as controlling. However, each person is unique, so not all type A people are necessarily controlling.
What is the toughest personality type?
While personality type doesn’t necessarily determine whether a person will experience more or less difficulty in life, type D personalities may experience challenges related to two primary characteristics: negative affectivity and social inhibition, the latter of which may affect social interaction. On the other hand, individuals with a type C personality typically demonstrate positive traits like cooperation, agreeableness, and kindness. However, people with this personality type may experience challenges related to submissiveness and caution. Therefore, each personality type can present certain challenges.
How do you date someone who is type A?
Dating a person with a type A personality can lead to a fulfilling relationship, but it may help to be aware of some potential behavior patterns. For example, people with a type A personality often like plans, so you might try to avoid ambiguity in your planning. Type A individuals also tend to be goal-oriented and may find it difficult to relax, so it may help to be prepared for this possible tendency when you’re planning to spend time together.
Are type A or type B people happier?
While people with type B personalities may experience less stress than people with type A personalities, each person is different. Type A personalities may experience happiness and fulfillment as they pursue and accomplish their goals.
What are type A personality weaknesses?
A person with a type A personality may be prone to stress or burnout if they’re ambition gets out of control. According to an article on type A personalities published by Forbes, people with type A personalities may have increased risk of high blood pressure and coronary heart disease. They may also experience difficulty with work-life balance if they focus excessively on their professional life.
Do type A personalities have friends?
People with a type A personality may experience challenges with relationships. This may be related to their inner drive and some rigidness in their planning. However, type A personalities can establish fulfilling friendships, but it may help for them to learn to recognize certain patterns when they are around others. A therapist may be able to help with this process to help them improve their relationships.
How do type A people deal with stress?
People with a type A personality may experience more job-related stress than those with other personality types. For example, they may focus excessively on meeting work deadlines and striving to be the best. However, they may be able to manage stress more effectively by learning to recognize their personality characteristics and/or talking to a therapist who understands their personality type. Mental health professionals can often help reduce stress through evidence-based therapeutic approaches, such as cognitive behavioral therapy.
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