What do we each need? What can't we live without?
Waltz: needs
peace, rest, and friendships. For the sake of the family, they can give up a lot, but don't ask them to increase their workload.
Give them a day off in exchange for doing with less and they will love you more for it!
Tango: needs
a sense of control and order. They can give up that new computer they have had their eye on, but don't take away their own
office space in the house. Give them a gold medal with a personal inscription on the back like, "Perfect 10 for cleanest
room."
Swing: needs to have FUN and be the center of attention--this usually
doesn't cost a thing! They could give up that fun trip to Mexico, but don't ask them to stop telling funny stories. The best
gift you can give a Swing is to listen to them and laugh at their jokes--priceless!
Salsa: must
have a sense of accomplishment and control. They might have a hard time giving up their dream of starting their own business
right now, but don't hamper their vision. Maybe now would be a good time to start a non-profit and lead a group of volunteers.
In
today's challenging economy, many of us stop and ask ourselves, "What can I live without? What can I cut back on and
still maintain most of what I had before?" I am all for cutting back to the basics. When I am in the mood, I can really
live on very little: I use bread sacks instead of plastic baggies; I never go to the movies any more; I buy clothes at
second-hand stores; I only drive a few days a week. But there are a few things that I know if I "cut back on"
it will zap my precious reserves of energy.
Each personality temperament NEEDS certain things in life in order to thrive.
Now, there are many things we ALL like, but imagine there is a little specially shaped "energy tank" within you.
Each style has their own special things that "fill up" their tank.
I created my system that is based on music/dance.
I visualized someone's personality temperament BECOMING a type of ballroom dance--I ask, "How do you DANCE through life?"
There are four styles.
People that "Waltz" through life are easy-going, low-key, and people oriented. They
need to have peace, keep the same routines, and maintain relationships--they have a golden heart-shaped tank. A Waltz can
give up material things, but needs to increase her social interactions. Call an old friend and catch up--it's energizing!
In
opposite style, a "Salsa" who is an intense, goal-oriented extrovert, gets his clock-shaped tank filled up by achieving
things, and not wasting a minute of time. Salsa's can give up buying those "extra" things, but don't ask them
to give up anything that saves them time.
Another extrovert, "Swing," has a big, yellow star-shaped tank that
gets filled up when they are allowed to have fun and shine! Swing's will really have a hard time giving up the new, fun, fashionable
clothes or shoes, but can make up for that by joining a comedy class for instance. A must have for a Swing: a dishwasher--they
can be sometimes pretty messy! (It's just not FUN to wash dishes!)
Last, but certainly not least, is our great people
that "Tango" through life. These are the intense, perfectionistic, introverts. Their energy tank is shaped like
an Olympic Gold Medal and gets filled up by having the very best and first quality items. Tango's will have a hard time giving
up the latest technology. They need to keep a sense of control and excellence--they also need their own space to keep very
tidy.
The most important thing to remember is that everyone is not necessarily like you! Each personality temperament
has their own tempo, their own rhythm of how they do things, where they get energy and how they make decisions.
Like
a song of four-part harmony, each style is needed. And, we all need to practice the "Harmony Habit: Harmonize (adjust)
your actions to be in tune with others--treat people the way they prefer!"
To get a visual sense of each style,
visit our Purrsonality Place, where we have created four fun cats that each represent a personality style.
Kimberly West of Tempo Temperaments announces a new award to be given out.
EXTENDED NOMINATIONS: Due date extended
to July 30, 2010
The Harmony Honors Awards are new this year. We seek nominations to worthy people who exemplify each
of the four main personality styles. We especially want to honor those people who "sing harmony" to others
leadership.
These people might be more of a Waltz, easy-going, don't want the spot light. Or maybe you know of
a Swing who might not have the best grades, but they sure brighten up your life. You get the idea.
Or course we also
want to honor the leaders, the one who usually sings "the melody." Sometimes this may be the Salsa's out there with
their big ideas and strong leadership abilities. The point is to honor everyone for their special part they bring to
life.
Like a song of four-part harmony, ALL styles/temperaments are needed.
Go to www.TempoTemperaments.com
for more details. Nominations need to be in by July 30, 2010.
All nominations will be posted to our website and their
names sent out in a press release. Winners chosen by our staff will win a full-color certificate, their name/photo in the
local paper and a product gift certificate for $50.
