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.
