Part 10 — Unique Type A Task Management Tendencies


Part 10 — Unique Type A Task Management Tendencies

And if you’re a Type A, what you should do to be more productive

The Problem

Most productivity gurus treat all their readers or learners the same: as if they have the same personalities or needs. Their general advice works well at first, but after a while, a problem arises. Those who require the most help find themselves at odds with some gurus’ personalities, and their advice.

Type A personalities tend to create more urgent tasks than their counterparts. As such, they feel impatient more frequently, demand more advanced tools than others. For example, as high school students, they often use adult techniques and technologies their peers would never touch.

Never heard of them? They are driven, goal-oriented, high-energy individuals who are extremely time-conscious. With these traits, it’s no accident they are often high-achievers in business, sports and academics. They prefer to focus on areas of expertise which reward clear winners…and losers.

However, when they lack self-knowledge of their task management, the worst can happen. With their energy and impatience, it’s easy to become overworked and imbalanced, leading to burnout, overwork and broken relationships.

Why Is This Important?

Due to their driven nature, Type A’s are the first to consume their discretionary time each week— their buffer against the problem of a full calendar. This habit produces a host of problems as their appetite for tasks increases and stays beyond their ability to manage them. After all, they are also subject to the same 168 hour per week limit as everyone else.

Remember the topic of defects in Part 2?

Type A’s go through periods in which they experience numerous defects; far more than others. It’s just a fact that they push their task management systems to the limits, much like a Formula One driver uses all the means at his disposal to shave a full two seconds off a lap.

But the first “Switch” Type A’s must make is from following the advice of others to becoming expert self-coaches. It’s the only way for them to achieve their high ambitions effectively. They don’t give themselves a choice.

What’s the Link to the Rapid Assessment Program?

Ultimately, Type A’s need to become as good at improving their task management skills as they are at executing tasks. This kind of meta-activity is a feature of all high performers who reach the heights of their disciplines. Serena Williams, Lewis Hamilton and Tom Brady are all great self-coaches. The RAP is designed to develop your meta-skills, by taking you through your first structured self-diagnosis at a slow enough pace to be able to do it on your own in the future.

By the end, you have a new level of self-knowledge that becomes the new floor for your learning. The fact that it’s based on sound, scientific fundamentals means that you can use the core ideas for a lifetime.

Find out more about the MyTimeDesign Rapid Assessment Program in this webinar.


Part 10 — Unique Type A Task Management Tendencies was originally published in 2Time Labs on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.