What is a Type A personality, and how can I tell if I have one? Type A is a general categorization for people who are achievers, ambitious, perfectionists, control-freaks and competitive, among similar other traits. Most Type A people are occupied with their careers and projects, and are subject to burn-out. When taking on so many projects, especially with a perfectionist attitude, you can very easily become overwhelmed.
However, I find that normal stress-busters like hot showers and Netflix binges don't actually help the Type A personalities to feel better; they don't feel better until they see their To Do lists checked off and completed projects. With that, here are six ways to help Type A people take a chill pill:
1. Don't Overschedule Your Day
Do not schedule more activities than you can complete in a single day. It's fine to squeeze a few extra errands in, but if you overestimate your abilities, it won't matter how much you get done. All you will be able to focus on is what you didn't finish.
2. Create A Series Of To-Do Lists
One finite To-Do list with a million things on it is very daunting. Instead, create a series of smaller lists: when planning out your big schedule of projects and assignments for the week, month or semester, break everything down and really spread it out. You don't have to finish everything in a single day; so instead of working tirelessly to complete the entire list, complete a portion of your master list then tomorrow move to the next part.
3. Focus On One Thing At A Time
Once everything is planned out, narrow your focus and complete each item at a time. You'll be better able to focus on your tasks for the day if you know that tomorrow's are scheduled and will be attended to. No matter how much we kid ourselves, multitasking is never an efficient way to do things. If you do one thing at a time, you'll finish things faster and produce better quality work.
4. Admire a "Done" List
If you narrow your focus and complete activities one at a time, you'll start checking things off of your list. When you're feeling overwhelmed, take a moment to admire it! Looking at all of the things you have already finished will encourage you of your productivity and make you feel less behind in your work.
5. Don't Forsake Personal Time
There will always be work to do. You don't need to skip your exercise class or gym time, or a meal or sleep time, in order to "get stuff done." In a pinch it might be okay, but if you constantly take personal time away from yourself you will end up sick and unhappy. If you treat your workouts, meals, sleep and time with family and friends as importantly as homework and errands, you will function better both in the short term and long term.
6. Don't Procrastinate, But Don't Get Carried Away
Even if it's not due until the end of the semester, a big project looming over your head can inspire obsessive worrying. However, dropping all of the other things on your list to finish said project early isn't good either. If you work on the big project a little bit when you feel anxious, you will feel better that it is being worked on without dropping all of your other tasks that need to be done today.
