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Is Your Personality Type Sabotaging Your Productivity?

Laura 30 comments
Laura’s avatar

Getting stuff done isn’t easy – or is it? While some of us lie awake at night fretting about all the unfinished business that hangs over our heads (oh shoot, I still need to call the vet and get started on that report and return all those things I ordered and I can’t even remember the last time I vacuumed the stairs…), other people seem to zoom through their to-do lists with alarming speed.

So what’s the deal? Why do some people seem to get things done more easily than others? And could it be your personality type that determines whether you’re a highly effective person or, you know, a hopelessly ineffective procrastinator?

Are Some Personality Types More Productive Than Others?

The polite answer to the question of whether some personality types are more productive than others would be, No, of course not, all of you are wonderful and special and perfect just the way you are! But the reality is a bit more complex.

Every trait in your personality comes with its own strengths and weaknesses, and certain traits seem to be especially beneficial for productivity. Here are some of the traits that tend to be the most helpful – and the least helpful – when it comes to getting things done:

  • People with the Observant trait find it easier to focus on the here and now – as opposed to getting distracted by thoughts about the past or the future.
  • People with the Intuitive trait have lively imaginations, but they sometimes get lost in thought – wondering what if? rather than buckling down and dealing with the task at hand.

Wondering which trait you have? Look at the second letter in your personality type acronym. “S” = Observant, and “N” = Intuitive.

  • People with the Judging trait are known for being decisive and focused. This can help them commit to a course of action rather than getting stuck in the planning phase.
  • People with the Prospecting trait like to explore new options and follow their curiosity. This approach has its benefits, but people with this trait may find it difficult to maintain motivation and stay on track – especially in the face of tasks that just aren’t all that interesting.

Wondering which trait you have? Look at the fourth letter in your personality type acronym. “J” = Judging, and “P” = Prospecting.

  • People with the Assertive trait tend to be confident and self-assured. Rather than getting tripped up by self-doubt, they generally use their energy to do what seems right to them.
  • People with the Turbulent trait have a perfectionistic streak. This isn’t a bad thing, but their fear of failure can make it hard for them to get started on projects.

Wondering which trait you have? Look at the fifth and final letter of your personality type acronym. “-A” = Assertive, and “-T” = Turbulent.

So… What If You Don’t Have “Productive” Personality Traits?

If you have the Observant, Judging, and Assertive traits, you might be feeling pretty good about yourself right now. But what if you don’t? What if, like me, you’re Intuitive, Prospecting, and Turbulent – and you’re behind on about ten million things you’ve been meaning to do?

The good news is that your personality type isn’t sabotaging your productivity. You’re not doomed to a life of procrastination and missed deadlines just because you don’t have the Observant-Judging-Assertive trifecta.

Remember how every trait comes with strengths and weaknesses? If you’re not happy with your productivity levels, you can try to work against your personality type in an effort to sidestep your weaknesses – or you can lean into your strengths to keep yourself motivated and moving forward. Here’s how that might look:

  • If you have the Intuitive trait, don’t fight against your imagination – use it. Visualize the eventual impact of what you’re working on. Think about how you’ll feel when you’re finally done. Whether you’re struggling to get started or losing steam on a longer project, taking a moment to conjure up these visions can help you break out of your productivity rut.
  • If you have the Prospecting trait, your curiosity doesn’t have to be a liability. You can harness it instead, looking for ways to turn even the dullest, most repetitive tasks into a game or an experiment. For example, you could set a timer for five minutes and see how much you can get done during that time, or you could experiment with different ways of doing something to see which works best.
  • If you have the Turbulent trait and you’re constantly second-guessing yourself, why not take things one step further and second-guess your second-guessing? You might find yourself thinking that you’re not good enough or that you shouldn’t get started until you come up with the perfect plan or idea. If those beliefs are getting in the way of your productivity, question them. Remember: just because those beliefs are in your head doesn’t mean that they’re true.

Your Productivity Struggles and Tips

So, readers, do you struggle with productivity? What are your favorite tips for getting things done? Tell us in the comments below!

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