"You are a conductor. When faced with a complex situation involving many factors, you enjoy managing all of the variables, aligning and realigning them until you are sure you have arranged them in the most productive configuration possible." - pg 87 from Now, Discover Your Strengths (Buckingham & Clifton)

Does this sound like you...?

This is why I have to be in charge...

"My brain is like a super-computer arranging and rearranging every item, evey detail, every task into the perfect configuration.

"Every little thing from which loads of laundry get washed first, to the order in which errands are run, has to be just so. There's a good way to get things done, and then there's MY way, the perfect way, to maximize time and resources.

"And so it was, the household logistics fall on me. My husband is more than willing to help, but if I don't orchestrate the plan I won't be happy with it. And you'd better expect it to change, because even once I set a plan in motion, my wheels are still turning and my super-computer is still formulating a better plan, up until the last possible moment.

"Don't even think about trying to plan a vacation or pack the car without my input; my Arranger theme will be in high gear, ensuring not one minute of the trip is wasted, and not one inch of trunk space is void! I sometimes feel like I could be completely fulfilled bagging groceries for the rest of my life, because the endless combinations of items to put together in a bag could entertain me for years.

"Arranger is the reason I insist on doing things my husband is willing and capable of doing and this magical theme is the reason I can juggle 2 kids and a full-time career, without feeling completely overwhelmed everyday."

Monday, June 29, 2009

Theme events can be so much fun!

My best Arranger friend shared this Arranger story with me...

"My daughter and I have fun with art projects. It is the Arranger in me that will come up with my Perfect configuration of art for a Saturday afternoon. I will pick what I think would be the perfect music to fully experience our art project, tie a snack in that goes with our theme, line up the paper, paint, crayons, glitter, stickers, glue and jump right in.

"For example, one weekend we were talking about the ocean and how beautiful is it and I got the perfect idea of doing an art project to tie together our conversation about the ocean.
I have several CDs with sounds of the ocean, so I picked my favorite. Our snack was peanut butter and jelly'fish' sandwiches with goldfish (the colored ones of course), I pulled out blue paper with all of the stickers, shells, sea beans to do with the ocean I could find. We turned on the music, enjoyed our snack and went to work on each creating our own art about the ocean. After we were done, we watched a National Geographic Kids show about the ocean and read a book as well about fish. I get excited just thinking about how much fun I had arranging our activities and tying it all together."

What a great use of Arranger. Do you have a story to share?
Posted by at 1 comment:

Capitalizing on family time

One of my arranger friends shared with me that this theme helps her ensure that all the household logistics are handled while the kids are at school. Grocery shopping (according to her perfectly planned menu for the week), laundry, cleaning, errands, exercise...all done before the kids get home so she can focus her time on them after school and on the weekends.

This friend also has the Achiever theme (Visit www.SFAchiever.blogspot.com or click on Return Home above) like me. I feel like I could never not work because of Achiever, but I can see how she successfully leverages Achiever and Arranger together to feel very fulfilled and productive every day. Congratulations on successfully capitalizing on your Strengths!
Posted by at No comments:

Monday, June 22, 2009

Schedule vs. Geography - neither bend.

I can come up with the perfect configuration of my Saturday errands and outings...First the park, where we exercise and play, then the pool to get cooled off, before showering to go the mall, pick up dry cleaning, and see a movie. The order is critical to minimize drive time, and to get all post-shower activities arranged together after all pre-shower activities.

So what's the problem? Naps and feedings that fall inconveniently in the middle of our swim or movie. Unfortunately, the kids schedules never coincide with the MOST efficient order of activities, something I conveniently and frequently forget.

I have to train my Arranger theme to arrange activities around the kids schedules, instead of around geography or activity type. I've also gotten really good at having my diaper bag packed to handle anything anywhere. Of course, the diaper bag was designed all wrong, to accomplish this! :-)
Posted by at No comments:

There is no such thing as a perfect diaper bag!

This theme drives my husband crazy - I continually buy new diaper bags, as I see a better way to arrange all that stuff. There just isn't one on the market that is arranged the way I want! Perhaps that will be my next career - designing a better diaper bag?
Posted by at No comments:
Subscribe to: Posts (Atom)