If you’ve ever spent a few hours with Joe and I, you’d realize how different we are. Our similarities are what initially attracted us to each other, but I attribute the success of our dating relationship, and now to our marriage, to our understanding of each other’s differences.
I love to organize things. Joe loves to disorganize them.
I like friendly conversations. Joe likes evening debates.
I like climbing without a headlamp. Joe likes all-night epic adventures.
I like cats without hair. Joe likes cats with hair.
I like to eat the same ol’ thing everyday. Joe likes to try unusual, exotic foods.
I like to have a checklist. Joe likes to do three or more projects at a time.
I like to snowboard in deep powder. Joe likes to snowboard through the trees.
I like to obey every traffic law. Joe thinks that some traffic laws are for other people 🙂
I like to be behind the scenes. Joe likes to be up front and center.
One of Joe’s greatest strengths is his visionary mindset.
One of my greatest strengths is my attention to detail.
One of Joe’s greatest weaknesses is that he often can be selfish and prideful.
One of my greatest weaknesses is that I can be too controlling.
Joe and I have taken many of the famous and well-known personality tests, and we almost always score exactly opposite of each other. Our favorite, created by Dr. Gary Smalley and Dr. John Trent, categorizes a person as a particular animal or combination of animals based on their predominant traits and characteristics. The four animal personality profiles are the lion, otter, golden retriever, and beaver.
LION: “Let’s get going now!”
Lions may be a little bossy sometimes, but that’s okay. They make great leaders that are driven by what they believe in, aren’t afraid of a challenge, and won’t give up without a fight. Lions tend to be reliable friends and great parents.
RETRIEVER: “Let’s keep things the same.”
Golden retrievers appreciate the value of a close relationship and can deal with commitment. They are thoughtful, nurturing, and tolerant. People know that they can go to a retriever if they need to be comforted. However, a retriever’s caring nature may make it difficult for them say no, and their sensitivity can cause them to get hurt a lot. Golden Retrievers are very adaptable, compassionate, and great team players.
OTTER: “It’ll all work out!”
Otters are fun-loving, spontaneous creatures. Always optimistic, otters can sometimes overlook important details or move at a pace that’s a little too fast for everyone to keep up with. They aren’t usually into details, and may have a problem with procrastinating. However, otters are very social and have a great love for people. They may be very charismatic and have lots of friends.
BEAVER: “How was that done in the past?”
Beavers tend to be intellectually busy, always questioning why things are the way they are, and how stuff works. They think logically, and tend to be less emotional. Beavers may be very organized, putting things where they know they’ll be able to find them later, or use an “inner filing system” to record experiences. Beavers like to take things apart, and take people apart as well, making them some of the toughest critics. They set high standards for others, and themselves.
Can you guess what animal or combinations of animals Joe and I are? What animal are you? What animal is your significant other? How do your differing or similar personalities affect your relationship?
