What Kind of Thinker Are You? (part 4 of 4)

Cause me to know the way in which I should walk, for I lift up my soul to You. Psalms 143:8 There are several concepts important to keep in mind related to the thinking wavelength. If you follow this advice, you will be more productive, as well as avoid 2 types of stress: stress from boredom and stress from burnout. People don’t change their thinking wavelength. There is very little potential for movement. So don’t burden others with discussions that are outside their thinking wavelength by more than one category (see the previous blogs on the categories). They will not be able to relate to the problem or to the solution you are proposing. If the boss is a finder, he may understand a problem exists, but he won’t know the specifics on how to fix the problem. In like fashion, the theorist has little capacity to understand why he must cut his budget on his pet research project. Abstract thinkers may be able to do a concrete thinking job for a brief period of time, but they quickly will become bored with such a position and become very frustrated with the details. Finders are quick to move from company to company and from challenge to challenge. They often leave in their wake a pile of unfilled forms. Those who are their minders or keepers often feel as if they are going to go crazy in trying to tie down all the loose ends and keep their finders on track. Finders can’t be nailed to schedules, protocols, or paperwork. A finder or a theorist will become more and more frustrated – with increasingly negative results – if he is required to do the administrative work of a keeper of a minder. Illness can even result. The child who is an abstract thinker may be able to concentrate for a few minutes on picking up her room and doing mundane chores, but the chores probably need to be segmented into brief time periods. Concrete thinkers are not able to engage in abstract thinking and will be overwhelmed if asked to do so. Keepers often become frustrated when they ask minders or grinders for suggested improvements to the company or department. Their suggestions often seem to be petty and minute. Grinders are only being true to their calling. They cannot think of corporate image, new products, or new ways of enhancing product appeal to customers. But they may be expert in improving their own work or work unit. Children who are concrete thinkers need very specific instructions, usually given verbally (as well as written). They need to be shown how to do tasks, as well as told how to do them. People who are asked to perform a job outside their thinking wavelength will experience stress and internal discomfort. Those who are operating to the right of their thinking wavelength are likely to feel a frustration with not being able to do the job. Those who are operating to the left of their thinking wavelength are likely to feel a frustration at having to do the job. Both kinds of stress lead to burnout. Your job responsibilities may span a range of the thinking wavelength, but it has a point of critical mass. If this critical mass is outside your thinking wavelength, you had better switch jobs. If it is within your thinking wavelength, talk to your supervisor to see if you can trim the duties that are furthest outside your wavelength. This job may have needed to be reengineered and re-packaged for some time. Your thinking wavelength defines the type of roles that will make you most fulfilled, least stressed, and most successful. What is your thinking wavelength and what actions do you need to take as a result? Truth@Life can help you, regardless of your location. Call 248-396-6255 or email me at curtis.songer@gmail.com for a free consultation. If you receive value from these blogs, please consider donating to keep this blog site up and running. This ministry cannot continue without the generous donations of its readers. Just click on the "Donate" button in the upper right. For more info on help I can provide check out http://truthatlife.com/ or email me directly at curtis.songer@gmail.com