Shona Neff

The sanguine personality is all about fun. They are all about people. And . . . they love to talk. So, it makes sense that they would thrive in an environment that includes those elements. Sanguine people prove that work can be fun!

Fun

Harvey MacKay said, “Find something you love to do, and you’ll never work a day in your life.” This works for the sanguine person if they follow the fun. This sometimes confuses people because you never know what a sanguine is going to consider fun. For example, my youngest son is sanguine and is going to school to become a mechanical engineer. That is a job usually sought after by a melancholy. But . . . my son has always wanted to blow things up and Read the rest of this entry »

You can’t make a place for yourself under the sun if you keep sitting in the shade of a tree.

Are you laid back or lazy? Phlegmatic personalities tend to the be the most laid back of the four temperaments. That’s not a bad thing when they are being productive. However, when the laid-back behavior crosses over into laziness there is a problem.

Phlegmatic people have as much ability to succeed as the next personality as long as they don’t develop rigor mortis sitting under the lazy shade of a tree (or eating bon bons on the couch while the TV blares, wallowing in bed, or growing roots in front of a computer…etc.). Read the rest of this entry »

Happiness is in the heart, not in the circumstances.

No people displays this better than the sanguine personalities of the world. The world giggles because of these people. They are the bright spot in many a bland day.

I remember a time I was scolding my young sanguine son. I was bent over looking him eye-to-eye and my finger was a waggin’ with discipline. Then it happened. He started crossing his eyes and waggin’ his head slowly back and forth. What could I do but giggle as a smile crossed my face. Typical sanguine . . . putting a fun spin on a no-so-fun situation.

Take time to give a hug or a high-five to a sanguine today. Sometimes their sunny disposition can be a little too much, but enjoy them for who they are. The world needs these people to us see the world as a happy place. They are wired that way.

©2012 Shona Neff

Quite a few years ago I taught preschool, but was unaware of the four personality types. It would have been a helpful tool way back then because looking back (now that I understand personalities) it is easy to pick out my past tots and their very distinctive traits. All, that is, except for the phlegmatic.

Honestly, I do not remember ANY phlegmatic students. That is sad, yet typical. The no-fuss phlegmatic is a chameleon and tends to blend in no matter the circumstances. My phlegmatic students, if I had any, must’ve done just that . . . blended in. Read the rest of this entry »

Every day when her mother dropped her off, it was the same thing . . . fifteen minutes of huge water droplets falling from the big brown eyes of the crying child. Her mother constantly assured me that, when at home, the tot talked of all the fun she had at preschool and how much she loved Miss Shona. Meet Kayla – the sensitive one.

Navigating Preschool

Kayla was one of the most delight children I had the privilege of teaching when I headed up a class of diaper-clad tots. However, it didn’t take long for me to notice that navigating through a day full of energetic peers wasn’t always easy for little Kayla. First, although she loved her time at “school” it was hard for her to see her momma go. Crying was such a ritual when Kayla was dropped off, that we hardly noticed it by the end of the school year. She would cry for 10 to 15 minutes, and then be ready for the day. Read the rest of this entry »

My oldest son is choleric and looking back, he was a preschooler on a mission: giving us dinosaur lessons while tumbling between explanations, going off the high-dive at two years of age, and toddling up to restaurant counters (by himself) to get the necessary carry-home containers for our uneaten food. In addition to his fearless and practical approach to life, he was rarely influenced by his tiny tot peers . . . classic traits of the choleric personality. It is amazing how early a child’s temperament manifests itself.

Preschool Practicality

Several years ago I taught preschool children – 18 months going on two years. I’ll never forget Choleric Caroline. I had not yet learned about personalities, but even then, there was no mistaking that this tiny tot was mission minded. I am confident that if I ever needed a substitute teacher Caroline could have run my class for a day. Read the rest of this entry »

Have you ever wondered what planet a child in your family or sphere of influence was from? I’ll admit it, I did. For years I wondered where in the universe my youngest son came from. He had such different traits from his father, his brother, and me. When I started studying personalities I saw him for who he was . . . he was a little exuberant sanguine.

Did you know it is possible to identify a child’s personality as early as when they are in diapers? Seriously, it’s true! I would not have believed it had I not seen it. The best part of determining a child’s personality is the ability to start early in life meeting that individuals’ emotional needs and bringing out the best of who they naturally are. Read the rest of this entry »

So, were you hunkered down in front of the television last night for the premiere of Dancing with the Stars: Season 14? According to the judges, they thought it was best opening night, EVER. I tend to agree. Everyone did great, even the ones who were not so comfortable flowing and shaking across the floor. But, of course, I was also enjoying the contestants’ personalities. Let’s take a look at my first impressions through the personality lens.

Sanguine

As usual there were some sanguine personalities in the group. The one that shined bright to me was Sherri Shepherd, one of The View talk show gals. In classic sanguine form she smiled as she flitted around the dance floor. She was engaging and funny. During her post-dance interview with DWST co-host, Brooke Burke, she commented about losing a body part on the dance floor and asked for it to be returned if anyone found it. Read the rest of this entry »

Yes, I admit it, I watch The Bachelor. I could do without the “racier” side of the show, but I cannot turn away from the fascinating things I learn about personalities when 25 women, all vying for the affections of prince charming, are thrown together in close quarters for an extended length of time.

Ralph Fresno/ABC

Last night Prince Charming, Ben, proposed to “Evil Courtney” (as christened by late-nigh host Jimmy Kimmel). America was hoping Bachelor Ben would propose to Lindzi Cox, the anti-Courntey, but alas it was not to be. But, instead of focusing on the controversy, I’d like to take a look at this wild and crazy dating game through the lens of personalities. Read the rest of this entry »

Phlegcation? What the heck is that? . . . you may ask. Well, since I have been on one for the last month or so, I am now an expert and am  happy to tell you all about it.

Phlegcation is “a condition that can affect any personality, but is especially prevalent in the life of the phlegmatic temperament. Although it manifests itself in a variety of ways, it is often characterized by sloth, procrastination, and a I’m-okay-with-it attitude.” Can you relate??

My Phlegcation

For me, a phlegmatic, I’d like to explain my recent phlegcation. Sometimes us phlegs just get tired . . . not necessarily “sick and tired”…just tired. For those who regularly follow my blog, you’ve probably wondered where I’ve been and why my keyboard was silent there were NO new posts to read. Read the rest of this entry »