What Is a Type B Personality? Everything You Need to Know

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Learn the strengths and weaknesses of the Type B personality
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While everyone has a unique personality, most people fall under either the Type A or Type B personality. People with Type B personalities tend to be laid-back, adaptable, and creative. In this article, we interviewed life coach and motivational speaker Nora Oliver to teach you everything you need to know about the Type B personality, including personality traits, strengths and weaknesses, and how to cope with having a Type B personality.

Section 1 of 4:

Type B Personality Traits

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  1. According to Oliver, Type B people are “laid back and relaxed, [handle] stress with ease, [are] flexible and adaptable to change, [and value] creativity and relationships over rigid schedules.” [1] Here’s a list of some of the most common personality traits associated with this personality type:
    • Peaceful
    • Relaxed
    • Easygoing
    • Creative
    • Patient
    • Flexible and adaptable
    • Stress-free/less prone to stress
    • Lack of sense of urgency
    • Tendency to procrastinate
    • Stable
    • Even-tempered
    • Not very competitive
    • Takes activities/life at a slower pace
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Section 2 of 4:

Type B Personality Overview

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  1. According to Oliver, personality types “refer to general patterns in how people behave, approach tasks, and handle stress.” [2] In many ways, the Type B personality is the opposite of the Type A personality. People with Type B personalities tend to be easygoing and laid-back, and they often work toward their goals without a sense of urgency. They don’t often feel the need to prove themselves to others and have low levels of competitiveness.
    • On the other hand, the Type A personality can seem more uptight. Oliver lists some Type A traits: “Competitive and driven, goal-oriented and highly motivated to succeed, often thrives on deadlines but can be impatient or stressed when things move slowly, may struggle with perfectionism or workaholic tendencies, [and] typically prefers structure and control.” [3]
    • In summary, Oliver says, “Type A personalities are go-getters who love structure but can burn out, while Type B personalities are more easygoing and take life as it comes. Most people fall somewhere in between the two extremes!” [4]
    • If you want to know which personality type you are, take our quiz !
Section 3 of 4:

Type B Personality Strengths & Weaknesses

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  1. Type B personalities may not be as structured and goal-oriented as Type A personalities, but they have many strengths that are unique to their own personality type. Here are some of the best traits associated with Type B personalities: [5]
    • Flexible
    • Low stress level
    • Laid-back, relaxed attitude
    • Patient
    • Creative
    • Good people skills
  2. While people with Type B personalities are fun and easygoing, their carefree attitude can sometimes hold them back. No one is perfect, and people with Type B personalities can work to overcome their personal challenges. Here are some common weaknesses associated with Type B personalities: [6]
    • Backs down and avoids confrontation
    • Doesn’t stay on top of their health
    • Often perceived as lazy
    • Tends to procrastinate
    • Sometimes lacks ambition
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Section 4 of 4:

Coping with a Type B Personality

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  1. If you have a Type B personality, you likely have a relaxed, carefree attitude… until all the things you’ve procrastinated catch up to you. To help you avoid falling behind and getting stressed, create and follow a structured schedule to stay on task and get things done. Then, you can go back to relaxing!
  2. People with Type B personalities tend to procrastinate , even when things are important. If you want to succeed, fight the urge to put things off till the last minute. As soon as you learn about a project or a task, add it to your schedule and start working on it as soon as possible. Set daily goals that you can reasonably achieve. This way, you’re less likely to forget about it. [7]
  3. If you have a Type B personality, you may not feel the need to prove yourself to others. Because of this, however, others may not see how hard you work and may write you off as lazy. Instead of working quietly by yourself, try to meet others in the middle. Give updates about your progress so they can see you’re meeting others on time. This way, they’ll better understand your strengths and everything you do to help out.
  4. Type Bs are often broad-minded and don’t like to set strict rules, schedules, or goals for themselves. However, this can sometimes limit your success. To be the best version of yourself, think about what you want to accomplish and set specific goals . Your goals may be more general and long-term than a Type A person’s, but this will give you something to work toward. [8]
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      References

      1. ↑ Nora Oliver. Certified Life Coach & Motivational Speaker. Expert Interview
      2. ↑ Nora Oliver. Certified Life Coach & Motivational Speaker. Expert Interview
      3. ↑ Nora Oliver. Certified Life Coach & Motivational Speaker. Expert Interview
      4. ↑ Nora Oliver. Certified Life Coach & Motivational Speaker. Expert Interview
      5. ↑ https://www.mindbodygreen.com/articles/type-b-personality#mbg-g0TrBIzzyOg
      6. ↑ https://www.mindbodygreen.com/articles/type-b-personality#mbg-g0TrBIzzyOg
      7. ↑ https://academicsupport.jhu.edu/resources/study-aids/overcoming-procrastination/
      8. ↑ https://inside.ewu.edu/calelearning/psychological-skills/goal-setting/

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