The 4 Temperaments – The Capable Choleric

Cholerics - optimistic, dependable, inconsiderate. Their motto: "Let’s take care of it now!"

Dear Reader, after reading this blog, if you recognize yourself as a melancholy, may I ask you to give it a Like? And when you read the other temperaments, please do the same, but only twice in total. In this way, we can see which temperaments read these blogs. Thanks in advance.

Two blogs have already been posted on the subject of the four temperaments. If you would like to read them, click here:   4T-Overview   4T-Sanguine  4T-Melancholy   4T-Phlegmatic

When cholerics get angry, it can clearly be seen in their faces. After a short, fierce outburst, however, everything quickly goes back to normal.

Two cholerics will never get married: they could never agree on a date! Leaders by nature, their spontaneity can easily lapse into fits of rage and fury, but these pose no problem for phlegmatics.

We need leaders, people who are willing to deal with problems and solve them. If cholerics learn to be more responsive to their partners, and exercise sympathy and patience with them, then together they can be invincible.

Emotions

The cholerics’ biggest issue: learning to deal with feelings. When feelings are not sufficiently developed and taken seriously in childhood, the resulting adults are forced to live with the consequences. Empathy is a valuable, but rare commodity among cholerics. Their traits of self-sufficiency, coldness and unpredictability are often the cause of tears. Cholerics are very efficient, never leave a job undone and work until late into the night. Work is more important than people. At some point they should learn that some people are worth the trouble of being less egotistical and conceited and more friendly and patient toward, especially family members.

Feeling Fluctuations

Choleric anger passes as quickly as it comes and then they are ready for action. Totally optimistic, they see solutions everywhere they look. They enjoy work, as long as it can be done quickly. When cholerics mature, they no longer blow up as easily, which makes them more efficient leaders, and better team players. Encouragement, inspiration and motivation come naturally to them. They also have a knack for being self-disciplined and responsible – when their emotions don’t interfere. One great need for them would be to rethink the way they relate to children. More on that in a later blog.

Social Relationships

Cholerics are often rewarded for their aggressive behavior. However, if, in spite of this fact, they learn to adapt their standards to their surroundings and curtail contentious conduct, they are a welcome asset in every team. They don’t need many friends. It would be good if they could express contentment, appreciation and praise for the accomplishments of others.

Activities

Cholerics are always in a hurry, keeping a pace that no one else could stand. They know what needs to be done and they do it immediately, without being asked. They are not perfectionists, but are very efficient and can be found wherever dominance is needed. Their gut-feeling decisions are often good ones. Still, they would do well to give more attention to the opinions of melancholies, who speak slowly and say little, though what they say is very intelligent.

Occupation and Hobbies

Cholerics are needed everywhere. Wherever they take over the reins, things begin to happen. Goals are defined and strategies developed to reach them. They keep a good overview of every situation; they are direct communicators and good organizers; they love productivity and inspire others to action.

Challenges

Cholerics are so dynamic, they can sometimes be a bit too challenging for other temperaments. However, when they develop a certain amount of sensitivity for the needs of others and show some consideration, they are irreplaceable. One of their greatest flaws is an inability to apologize. Humility is not really part of their tool kit. They need times of quiet to reflect on their limits and to work on broadening their view to include the needs of others. When they recognize their animosity to be a product of selfishness and become willing to take up the struggle to become a more mature person, they can learn to replace their negative aggression with brotherly love. When cholerics realize that Jesus died for them because of His great love for them, they can begin to heal. Their feelings self-worth will be strengthened and they will become more balanced. The apostle Paul is a good biblical example of a choleric.

Life is full of challenges and trials. The best way to meet them is with a positive attitude and constructive solutions. For cholerics, this means practicing more empathy and compassion toward others. Toxic thoughts and feelings should be banned from their menu (see Blog ). Life is so much better and makes so much more sense when it is lived with a positive attitude.

If you have recognized yourself as having many choleric characteristics, you are invited to click on the LIKE button below. Many thanks!

If you are interested in doing a temperament test, you are welcome to write me at the following email address and I will be happy to send you one:  ERNST.ZWIKER@YAHOO.COM.

The 4 Temperaments – The “AOK” Phlegmatic

Phlegmatics – easy-going, unassuming, efficient. Their motto: "Don’t worry. Be happy."

Dear Reader, after reading this blog, if you recognize yourself as a phlegmatic, may I ask you to give it a LIKE? And when you read the other temperaments, please do the same, but only twice in total. In this way, we can see which temperaments read these blogs. Thanks in advance.

Three blogs have already been posted on the subject of the four temperaments. If you would like to read them, click here: 4T-Overview  4T-Sanguin  4T-Melancholy

"What did you say? Oh, ok. Whatever you want, Dear."

The Phlegmatic Partner

Phlegmatics tend to marry cholerics, or possibly melancholies. Someone has to do the work. One response they use a lot is, "I don’t care." On the one hand, this sentence indicates great flexibility. On the other hand, it reveals a certain aversion to thinking. Taking initiative is something they would never consider. That’s why they get married. Phlegmatics make wonderful friends. Quarrels are unknown to them. They would never waste their energy on an argument, but would much rather just enjoy life.

Emotions

The phlegmatic stable state of emotions keeps them from getting upset, or even ruffled, in times of trial and turbulence. They stand straight and immoveable like lighthouses in their surroundings. Their rational, objective thought processes, always searching for optimal solutions, make them valuable assets for society. However, if you need their support for a laborious project, you will need some extremely persuasive reasoning. It’s difficult to get them enthusiastic for anything; they are generally dry and dispassionate in the reactions because things don’t usually touch their emotions. Once they have made a decision, however, their stability becomes evident.

Feeling Fluctuations

Imagine life with an emotional curve like this one. Not every phlegmatic is happy with this situation. Because there is not much action in the area of emotions, other areas are also uninteresting. A choleric would call it boring. While all other temperaments have to invest a lot of energy in keeping their emotions under the control of their frontal lobes, the process toward maturation in phlegmatics is quite different.

Social Relationships

In social situations, phlegmatics are like mortar between bricks: they facilitate smooth connections. They get along well with everyone, try not to ruffle feathers, agree whenever possible, are always friendly and avoid conflict as much as possible. They could win a gold medal for patience. On the other hand, they can at times be sarcastic, which can be painful to cholerics and melancholies. They are generally introverted, conservative, content and balanced. Sometimes they can be a bit cold, jesting at the expense of others, but their overriding need for social acceptance soon drives them back to their old amiable selves.

Activities

Instead of walking back and forth five times, phlegmatics do the job in two trips. They schedule their work load in a way that produces the quickest results with the least amount of energy expended in order to return to a resting position. They are master shirkers. Whenever you get the opportunity to observe this phenomenon, take a closer look. You might enjoy analyzing the tactics. If you speak to a phlegmatic about his or her behavior, listen respectfully to his or her logic behind it. Phlegmatics usually have good theoretical justification for their conduct. That is all they need to be content.

Occupation and Hobbies

Phlegmatics are good co-workers, but need a lot of external motivation. Their patience is a great asset in parenting. Children love their phlegmatic parents, but often wish for a wider range of activity. (More on that in the next blog.) They can be perfectly happy without exercise. This can sometimes cause a little extra baggage because food is one of the most important highlights of their day.

Challenges

One of the greatest challenges phlegmatics face is to overcome passivity: instead of being one who reacts to the actions of others, to become a pro-active initiator. This would strengthen his or her social standing. Another weakness phlegmatics may need to work on is their egocentric self-sufficiency. This should be replaced with conscious empathetic effort for the good of others Because they are peaceable and peace loving, they can easily pass for genuine Christians, but this is not always the case. Their fear of change, their lack of self-confidence and their worry about uncertainties in their surroundings cause them to be quite introverted. When they recognize fear as the source of their troubles, they can begin to replace it with positive motives.

A noteworthy biblical example of a person with phlegmatic tendencies is ABRAHAM.

Phlegmatics are good listeners and very observant. They have a lot of friends. They never get aggressive or insulted. A mature phlegmatic’s sphere of influence will grow steadily as he or she recognizes and cares for the needs of others.

If you have recognized yourself as having many phlegmatic characteristics, you are invited to click on the LIKE button below. Many thanks!

If you are interested in doing a temperament test, you are welcome to write me at the following email address and I will be happy to send you one:  ERNST.ZWIKER@YAHOO.COM.

The 4 Temperaments - The Mindful Melancholy

Melancholies – sensitive, analytical, faithful friends. Their motto: "This is not going to work!"

Dear Reader, after reading this blog, if you recognize yourself as a melancholy, may I ask you to give it a Like? And when you read the other temperaments, please do the same, but only twice in total. In this way, we can see which temperaments read these blogs. Thanks in advance.

One blog has already been posted on the subject of the four temperaments. If you would like to read it, click here:      4TOverview   4T-Sanguine

The Melancholy Partner

They live in the past, are pessimistic and hard working. They can easily get lost in details, which can “waste” a lot of time. Their ability to care about minutiae is a skill that makes them useful most everywhere. Their homes are orderly. They are faithful to their friends in the most trying circumstances. Mature melancholies are veritable treasures as partners. Melancholy men tend to take longer and need more encouragement to propose than sanguines and cholerics.

Emotions

Here is a description of melancholy strengths and weaknesses:

Melancholies are diametric opposites of sanguines. Their emotional world is strongly developed. Unfortunately, they are often given to toxic thinking (Blog), which has a negative influence in their daily lives. They have a flare for analysis, which sometimes causes unnecessary rabbit chasing. They are quick to recognize potential difficulties because one of their favorite questions is, “What if?". For them, “the worst case is the first case” to be considered.


Feeling Fluctuations

Emotional highs are few and far between. Living in the past and working through various impressions is great cause for reflection. Their feelings are not quick to change, but are as steady as their few friendships. Once a friend, always a friend. They are content to be alone and generally don’t need anyone’s help. If you can get a melancholy to laugh, you are to be congratulated!

For other temperaments, a melancholy’s perfectionistic tendencies can sometimes be a hindrance to getting along with him or her. Melancholies often recognize faults in others, which is not always an advantage in building relationships. They are also very introspective and just as critical of themselves. This constant self-analysis makes them less open to others. When something goes amiss at the initial contact with a new acquaintance, they will generally withdraw. They are not easily impressed, but when something touches them, it is never forgotten.

Activities

Their love for details is a strong basis for their appreciation of art, music, beauty and everything that exhibits excellence. Playing an instrument well is an indication of melancholic tendencies: reading music, playing and practicing all require a willingness to work on details. On the other hand, melancholies do not enjoy being in the limelight. They are not so quick in making decisions, but when they have set a goal, they don’t give up easily. One of their greatest challenges is to overcome their (overdeveloped) desire for perfection.

Occupation and Hobbies

Thanks to their skill in handling details, they are welcome in every profession where high quality is required. Some melancholies are meticulously orderly, while others tend to be chaotic. As parents, meticulous melancholies are strict and unbending. They tend to set the bar too high and have difficulty expressing the deep love they feel for their offspring in a way that they can understand. Their children often feel unloved, because they cannot be perfect.

Challenges

Because melancholies are normally the offspring of melancholy fathers or mothers (perfectionists), they also have the same tendencies. The daily battle of finding themselves and recognizing their self-worth can be a draining process for them and the people around them. Their strong fear of not being good enough and not being loved needs to be analyzed and replaced with high quality love. Melancholies don’t let others get too close, even though it could help them. As long as they hang on to their egocentricity, reject the idea of making positive changes, don’t recognize that their fear and self-involvement is not just a fault, but sin, they cannot be helped. Here are three things they can do to remedy their greatest needs:

• Practice replacing critical thoughts with positive.

• Deliberately choose to show interest in and do things for others.

• Develop an attitude of gratitude.

When melancholies understand the huge potential that lies outside their own limited sphere, which could make them and the people in their surroundings happier, anything is possible. The mature melancholy temperament is especially valuable and constitutes a true asset for the environment.

There are many melancholies in the Bible: Moses, David, both Johns and Luke, to name a few. You can test this statement by doing a personality study on them. :-) 

Turning a critical look into a loving one, recognizing oneself to be a beloved creation of God with an important mission in life – this will make life worth living!

If you have recognized yourself as having many melancholy characteristics, you are invited to click on the LIKE button below. Many thanks!

If you are interested in doing a temperament test, you are welcome to write me at the following email address and I will be happy to send you one:  ERNST.ZWIKER@YAHOO.COM.

The 4 Temperaments – The Happy Sanguine

Sanguines – One minute they’re laughing and singing and the next they could be in the depths of despair. Their motto: "Yes, we can!"

Dear Reader, after reading this blog, if you recognize yourself as a sanguine, may I ask you to give it a Like? And when you read the other temperaments, please do the same, but only twice in total. In this way, we can see which temperaments read these blogs. Thanks in advance.

One blog has already been posted on the subject of the four temperaments. If you would like to read it, click here:       4T-Overview

The Sanguine Partner

Lives in the present, is optimistic and never bored. Has great potent for empathy, loves everyone, not just his marriage partner (needs to be careful of boundaries, loves shaking hands and back slapping (physical contact). Usually marries a melancholy. (See Blog >Temperament in Marriage<)

Emotions

Here is a description of sanguine strengths and weaknesses:

ge

en

Sanguines enjoy a generally high percentage of highs in their feelings. However, they can also be easily knocked off their high by seemingly trivial matters. In order to remain in or return as quickly as possible to a cheerful state, sanguines are continuously on the lookout for fun and enjoyment for each of their five senses. Like butterflies, they tend to flit from flower to flower, to gather and enjoy as much nectar as possible.

Social Interaction

"What’s in it for me?" This is one of their most important questions. Sanguines need relationships in order to feel good about themselves. The confirmation and acceptance they receive through relationships are vital. Deficiency: Because sanguines have never really found or accepted themselves, they want to appear better than they can actually be. They often fool themselves, overestimating their abilities. They are mood makers, the life of the party: their lighthearted, friendly manner can transform tense situations into pleasant ones. They make friends everywhere they go.

Activities

Sanguines are outgoing: you can find them everywhere. They have many interests and get into contact with people easily. They actually need contact. To sanguines, contact is a lifeline; being alone is unthinkable. As far as work is concerned, they need variety. They cannot stand doing the same thing for a long time. They change jobs and types of jobs often to learn new systems and break the monotony. Because they tend to get distracted easily, they have little success in reaching goals. More discipline would be of great benefit to them. Sports, food and free time are all good areas to practice.

Occupation and Hobbies

Growing up with a sanguine mom or dad is fun. Their enthusiasm is contagious. If the sanguine parent has matured and has been able to shake off some of his or her selfishness, his or her children will be greatly benefitted.

Challenges

A feeling of insecurity that developed in childhood is the source of their overdeveloped need for attention and acceptance. This is basically because they never really knew if they were really loved. When parents are unable to answer this question positively so their offspring FEEL LOVED, these children may spend the rest of their lives trying to find the right answer.

As soon as these children have matured into adulthood, it is time to work on this important challenge. Blaming their parents is not really helpful; they probably wanted what they thought was best for their children. The best strategy they could follow would be to find their own true value and place their feelings of self-worth on solid and reasonable ground. Sanguines who are believing Christians have the best opportunity. As children of God, they may recognize the value He places on them, which is the highest value humanly possible. This insight, instead of making them more proud and egotistical, can produce in them true humility. Dependability, integrity and discipline will also be able to flourish in this “self-worth-friendly” soil.

Those of you who know the Bible well - can you think of a typical biblical sanguine? What do you think about Peter?

Sanguines live on the sunny side of life. When they are mature, they are a source of much joy and warmth.

If you have recognized yourself as having many sanguine characteristics, you are invited to click on the LIKE button below. Many thanks!

If you are interested in doing a temperament test, you are welcome to write me at the following email address and I will be happy to send you one:  ERNST.ZWIKER@YAHOO.COM.