Nearly 20 years ago, while working at a world-renowned health resort, I had the honor of working with a psychotherapist named Alex Georgio. Alex had a wonderful reputation amongst these distinguished guests. Individuals were eager to spend time with Alex, exploring aspects of themselves, their lives, longing for a path to live a healthier, more authentic life.
One day I attended one of Alex's workshops and came to find out why and how his work had such a lasting effect on the guests.
You see, the clientele that we had the privilege of serving at this resort were often entrepreneurs, heads of states, entertainers, authors, educators, and artists (to name a few). Many lived lives literally and figuratively right out of Hollywood. They were CEO's, leaders, movers, and shakers that shared a few things in common.
First, they often possessed an enormous amount of creativity. Passion was their middle name. They lived for experiences and often described stagnation and complacency as a deadly poison. But, there was another fundamental commonality.
Because of the speed and intensity by which they lived their lives, they were commonly one step away from falling off the edge of life. That is, until they met Alex, of course!
Having worked in this environment for many years, Alex engaged with well over ten thousand of these enormously successful individuals, long enough to see a pattern emerge in their stories. He began to refer to them as having a Type E personality.
That's right, I said E. E like enthusiasm, energetic, entrepreneur, enlightened, and perhaps even getting "Enough Already" from people. If these sound familiar, then you may have a Type E personality. Now it is paramount for me to mention that this is in no way an attempt to label anyone but merely an opportunity to share an inspirational body of work that changed my life and the lives of many of my clients over the past years.
Type E's are the very people who have profoundly impacted our life and the world.
They are Walt Disney's, Steven Spielberg's, Julia Childs, Liberace's, Sir Richard Branson's, Steve Jobs, and Albert Einstein's of the world. Pioneering spirits committed to change the world to make it a better place. They often possess a mystic quality, capable of seeing life and all it's moving parts from a higher perspective – commonly described as visionaries. They constantly live, love, and play on the edge. That is assuming they are healthy and living in balance!
These qualities, when channeled, can have a great impact, however many Type E's struggle.
Often feeling misunderstood, expending a lifetime defending who they are, what they believe, and how they feel. Because Type E's are often non-compliant and nonconformant—their personnel files are often 3 inches thick. They are frequently labeled as ADD or ADHD. Justice is commonly a highly regarded value, and as a result, they can't stand bullies, and integrity drives their every decision. They can seem disorganized, hate 9-5 jobs, and good or bad - are always ready for that next adventure.
Type E's in balance, shape the world, grow it, make it a better place to live.
However, a Type E out of balance is a perfect recipe for broken relationships, failed businesses, and missed opportunities. Out of balance, they are frequently struggling with depression, anxiety, and addiction, falling off the edge and taking everyone with them!
Curious if you or someone you know have a Type E personality?
Here is a quick 10 question test. Please answer Yes, Sometimes or No, for each one of the questions.
1. Do you like starting new projects, especially impossible ones?
2. Does the thought of working a typical 9-5 job make you break out in a cold sweat?
3. Do you quickly lose interest in a project or job once it is up and running?
4. Has delegating responsibilities been a major challenge for you?
5. When contacted by an old friend you haven't heard from in years, do you immediately pick up as if no time has passed?
6. Do you love having time for yourself when you can find it?
7. Do you usually find small talk a waste of time?
8. Do most of your projects, jobs, or romantic relationships usually last between 6 months to five years?
9. Did you grow up feeling your view of life was different from that of most people?
10. Do you consider yourself an intensely passionate person?
If you answered: Yes, give yourself 3 points. Sometimes, give yourself 2 points. No, give yourself 1 point.
Now, if you are wondering what your score means and why these specific questions were asked? I invite you to access a free audio book by Alex on Type E here. Or go ahead and take the quiz online here.
I know that the world needs Type E's now more than ever.
Brave, creative, courageous visionaries are critical and essential to help solve the challenges we all face as a collective. Alex and I are committed to helping Type E's and the people who live, love, teach, and work with them to nurture and encourage their gifts and talents. So they can rise and serve the universe.