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Current Mood: A bit anxious, but I don’t know why.
Current Song: Spies by Coldplay
There is a running joke in my family for the last couple of years: Apparently I am slated to be married to an architect. I don’t know why that is. He’s even got a name, according to the coven. I’m quite sure he doesn’t exist, but you never really know these days, who could be reading your blog.
I once took a cheesy Oprah quiz, while sitting around on a Sunday afternoon on what my “Love Type” was. You can read the article on the link above. It turned out I was a “director” and longed to be with a “negotiator”. While I think this might have some kernel of truth, I know enough of these people to negotiate my way out of any hostage situation.
It did get me thinking though about my past choices in love. When I’ve actually given anyone the time of day, I’ve always been attracted to builders – builders of any kind really – people who make tangible strides in their work and their lives. They build not only for their careers, but they’re pretty handy with other things around life, whether it’s cars, computers, spice racks, vacation planning. I don’t think less of people who prefer to pay to have things built, but there is a certain appeal to those who actually can put together something.
I think that we all need builders in our lives. I’m talking hypothetically, of course. Builders have this way about them, where they create comfort, and a sense of familiarity in their accomplishments. I’m a planner and a thinker, and more often than not, I end up stuck in my own head. That’s my comfort zone. Builders make it easier to navigate the outside world. They make inroads, paths, build structures.
Currently, my life lacks builders. I hope it’s because they’re busy. I do know that if I were ever to be in a long-term relationship, this is one thing I would look for. Because, after all, we have to build a life together right?
Who are the builders in your life?
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Comments
07.28.10
I'm definitely a Builder and my girlfriend is definitely a Planner. We coexist quite well because she finds pleasure in focusing on the long-term planning while I like to get my hands dirty and make sure that we're enjoying ourselves in this very moment. I'm finding that having someone who balances you out is really important in out personal lives and in our professional lives too. I think here at Brazen Ryan Healy is a Planner while I am more of a Builder. I enjoy the day-to-day work, building relationships, etc, while he's thinking about the business 6 months from now.
Works out quite well if you ask me.
07.28.10
Haha, you took an Oprah quiz. :P
07.28.10
Without a doubt, my husband is a Builder. Not sure what I am. Dreamer? :-) I tend to live in la-la land sometimes although for the most part I'm quite practical. I really don't know what I would've done without my husband. He makes life simple for me.
07.28.10
Ryan - yes, I agree. It's always great to have someone balance out your personality and your traits. What's more is that you can learn from each other. Planners tend to stay put in a lot of ways. So builders really take us out of our own heads into the world. Meanwhile, builders have the proclivity towards just doing, so it helps when planners give them pause for thought!
Ty - yes, i did. I'm comfortable with my inner housewife!
Sabera - We all need dreamers too! Where would we be without the big picture. Planners are quite practical as well. it's the execution part where we need a bit of a push, and it helps if it's not fraught with complications. It's great that your husband and you have such a great groove!
07.29.10
I definitely think I'm a Builder. I like to build and create things, especially new connections with people, make opportunities happen. To me, it's intrinsically satisfying. Besides, I can plan, plan, and plan until I'm blue in the face, but if nothing gets done, what have I accomplished?!
07.29.10
I'm not really sure which I am. I know that I often like to make things happen myself, because then I have more control over the outcome. But if being a builder also includes networking, (or for that matter literally building shelves) than I probably would not qualify as one. Maybe I sort more than I build. A sorter? But mostly I think of ideas, and put the best ones into practice. Yet I don't know if that makes me a planner all the way either.
I guess there is a reason I keep saying I am Too XYZ...
07.29.10
Timothy - you make a good point. We can all plan until we're blue in the face, but as the saying goes, if you want to know the true character of a (wo)man, look at what they do, rather than what they say.
Ty - I think we're all a little bit of everything. I usually think of myself as a planner, because I like thinking strategically and in the long-term, but part of me loves to execute ideas. What I like about the builders is that they do it with others in mind. They make it so that planners can do their work. The ones I have encountered always ask the question "How can I make it easier for you to do your work?" I admire that, and I would love that in a partner - whether business or personal.
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