12/11/2024
It was the Summer of 1987, and I was running late for work.
I'd dried my, what was back then, long hair and left the hairdryer on the floor.
You can probably guess where this is going ..... yep, in my haste I tripped on the lead and caught my hand on the door frame - one broken bone and a very late start at work as a result!
Why am I telling this story? Because I was forced to experience operating outside of my natural default for a significant period of time as I'd broken my writing hand. It also provided me with an example I could use in my business 40 years later!
Having to only use my non-preferred hand presented many challenges, writing being just one of them! And my job at the time included lots of writing!
I remember going home after the first few days exhausted! I was having to concentrate so hard even to produce slow, spiderlike letters, but as the weeks went by, I got better at it and it became less draining. (If fact my writing with my left hand was better than some with their preferred hand!)
Our personality type, like our handedness is something we are born with. It's a natural default preference, but it doesn't mean we cannot operate in the opposite way and with time get more comfortable with it.
What happened when everything was mended? Well I went straight back to writing with my right hand again as it felt natural for me, but to this day I am still pretty good writing with my left hand.
So what's the message here? We can all behave in ways that are not our natural preference, it can be tiring, but can lead to some amazing growth. The more you do it, the easier it becomes, but it will never be as energising as what comes naturally to you.
Want to find out your natural personality type preferences and understand yourself better? I'd love to help.
