I was introduced to the website, 16Personalities.com, through a blog post on Story Empire by Mae Clair early last month and it’s been an interesting journey thus far.

Today’s email – on stress – made me do a double-take because a friend and I had this conversation Saturday evening! I’ve included some of the email below – bold text is my emphasis.

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From 16Personalities.com –

Life is full of innumerable obstacles, unexpected surprises, and nasty shocks, and not even the most Zen of Buddhists can always escape the stresses of it all. There are too many potential stressors in life to cover all of them in one newsletter, so instead we’ll briefly discuss the role your personality type may play in stress management, and hopefully, provide some insights you can use.

The mental and physical strain that comes with stress affects each personality type differently. As the most likely personality type to want to be completely in control of their life’s circumstances, Architects aren’t likely to shy away from a challenge, even if it causes undue stress – but they may struggle.

According to our data, Architects are likely to:

• Feel anxious if they have several equally good options to choose from;
• Talk less when under stress;
• Work hard to get their anxieties and worries under control;
• Believe that a healthy amount of worrying leads to better results.

Architects generally do not shy away from stress, perhaps even thriving under it. Stress often acts as a catalyst for the most innovative of Architect projects.

That said, Turbulent Architects are significantly more vulnerable to stress compared to their Assertive cousins. For instance, they may have a lot of trouble controlling negative thoughts once they arise or feel completely paralyzed if they are forced to pick one of two equally good options quickly.

Here are some things Architects can do to rebalance themselves and remain in control under pressure:

• Take the time to refocus on efficiency and long-term vision;
• Consider looking for new, unorthodox solutions to their problems;
• Single out one priority at a time instead of spreading their energy;
• Remember that perfection is a path, not a destination.

Individuals of every personality type can benefit from viewing stressful situations as learning opportunities. Stress may be an inseparable part of our lives, but being aware of its triggers and effects can help you handle it better.

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Visit 16Personalities.com and take a free test. You may find out things you already knew… or you might get a surprise!