Getting to Know… You {Temperament Link-Up}

I’m a little late to the Temperament Tuesday link-up with Olivia at To The Heights! Better late than never, though, right?!

I was behind in reading blogs this week and took some time Friday night to catch up, but didn’t get very far once I discovered this fun little party! I love personality tests and gaining insight into what makes people tick!

I’m already a big fan of the Enneagram – it consists of 9 personality types. I’m a Number 1 – The Reformer. It fits me pretty perfectly. My husband, Adam, is a Number 9 – The Peacemaker.

Anyway, for more about the four temperaments (Choleric, Melancholic, Sanguine, and Phlegmatic), why they matter, and to take the test yourself, read Olivia’s post!

I read The Temperament God Gave Your Kids last year. While reading, I also tried to think about what temperament(s) described me. The only one I was for sure able to rule out was the Sanguine temperament. I’m way too organized and introverted for that temperament! So, yeah, when I saw Olivia’s link-up about this test I got really excited about nailing down some answers- it’s the little things in life!

I took all of the different temperament tests that Olivia suggested and I got mixed results! One told me that I was a Choleric-Phlegmatic, and another said I was just Phlegmatic. So, I decided to buckle down and create a temporary CatholicMatch profile so I could access their temperament test. I actually wrote in the mandatory profile blurb that I was just joining for the personality test and I’m married and love my life! (I deleted my account when I was done!)

Back to the test, The first time I took it, I was a Melancholic-Phlegmatic, but it didn’t quite seem to fit, so then I took it again and it said I was a Melancholic-Choleric, so I think I’m a combo of the three, because just two of these together don’t completely seem to cover me!

I think the Melancholic/Choleric write-up on CatholicMatch describes me pretty well, overall, except that I’m not really that moody, untrusting, and easily discouraged. (The Phlegmatic side of me, is that I can be easy going when I need to be and I try to avoid conflict if at all possible!) Here’s what it says…

The melancholic-choleric is also a leader with the potential to accomplish great works. However, where the choleric-melancholic is driven by the challenge and the opportunity, the melancholic-choleric is inspired more by the nobility of the task. The introverted nature of the melancholic, combined with the focused and unempathic nature of the choleric, can result in an individual who is highly motivated by noble ideals (even humanitarian ones), but who prefers to work alone, rather than with people. The melancholic side of both temperament mixtures results in the project being organized, ethical, and high-minded, while the choleric aspect is the driving and demanding force.

If you are melancholic-choleric, you are somewhat less pragmatic (or utilitarian) than a pure choleric, just as persevering and determined, and with a greater emphasis on the ideal. Likely to be motivated by the most noble and demanding of causes, you are capable of founding a humanitarian society, composing a symphony, founding a school, or discovering a cure. You are organized, perfectionist, introspective, driven, and moody (though less so than a pure melancholic). You will be less active than a choleric-melancholic and less extraverted, more internally focused.

But your weaknesses include a tendency to excessive self-criticism and criticism of others, being dismissive or overly judgmental, exhibiting a tendency to self-absorption, and possessing an untrustful and controlling nature. You tend to be inflexible, can bear grudges for a long time and may be prone to discouragement. A melancholic-choleric who is not attentive to his spiritual life, and does not keep his eye assiduously on the truly important things of life can become a cross to those around him, through his nit-picking, perfectionism, disdain, bitterness, resentfulness, spitefulness when crossed, and even haughtiness.

I’m pretty sure Adam is a Phlegmatic/Sanguine or Sanguine/Phlegmatic. They both describe him pretty darn well, and I think he’d agree! Maybe I should have him make a temporary CatholicMatch profile so he can take the test, too! 🙂

Thanks, Olivia, for this fun and insightful opportunity! Considering I didn’t have time for my usual Friday morning post this week, being able to join this link-up was perfect!

Have a great weekend, everyone!

Tags: enneagram, temperament, To The Heights