We all know the essential importance of caring well for ourselves and maintaining balance in our lives. A simple, yet effective way to achieve these goals is to make self-renewing a habit every day.
The important thing to consider is that we are all so different – what renews one person can be a huge drain for others. We first learned this about 35 years ago at a Family Life Weekend to Remember Marriage Retreat (delightful fun!). They presented a special alumni session on the DISC System and covered how each Style likes to communicate and is renewed. It was a game changer for our marriage! It gave us an awareness of each other ‘s preferences that we had never considered before.
This summer seems like a great time to write a series of blogposts on “Self-Renewal DISC-Style”. Through understanding the DISC System, and which DISC Styles we are, we can easily discern the best self-renewal actions to take that are guaranteed to be helpful to us.
In a nutshell, the DISC Styles are:
- The High D– is the take charge, fast-paced, must be in control, decisive and authoritative, task-focused, gets things done person
- The High I – is the “party looking for a place to happen”, fun-loving, outgoing, people-focused, enthusiastic, very positive person
- The High S – is dependable, persistent, tender-hearted, slower-paced, cooperative, people-oriented, patient, and steady
- The High C – is precise, conscientious, systematic, slower-paced, task-oriented, likes procedures and details
***Please note that most people are a combination of two or three of these styles, but one style is usually the strongest.
In this blog post, we will focus on the High D-Style and what they need for self-renewal: PHYSICAL ACTIVITY!
In our family, we had two High D-Style people. They were both renewed by physical activity, but in vastly different ways:
- My husband was renewed by working in the yard, especially mowing, gardening, pruning; after a long day in the office, he couldn’t wait to go outside and get to work
- My daughter was renewed (and frustration released) by pounding out music on the piano; after a long day at school, the first thing she wanted to do was pummel the piano keys
Other possible activities that would renew a D-Style:
- Going for a walk or run
- Having a wrestling match with the kids
- Going to the gym for a good workout
- Throwing a ball or Frisbee with friends
- Chopping and cooking a favorite meal
- A quick basketball shoot with friends
- Taking a dance or spin class
- Building a snow man
- Strapping on snowshoes and tromping through the park in the winter
But self-renewal can also get tricky:
For example – when my husband has been teaching all day, surrounded by people who need his attention (which is very draining for him), he just wants to come home to peace and quiet, have a good meal, and go outside and do yard work to renew himself. His wife (ME), however, is renewed by people time. Usually, I’ve been by myself all day, writing and working, and am excited to spend time with people. So, as in most things in marriage or friendship, it requires some give and take and balance, as well as creative solutions.
QUESTION: If you fit the D-Style, or know someone who does, how does it help you to renew yourself with some kind of physical activity? I’d love to hear your thoughts and observations. Please share in the comment section below.
P.S. If you would like to read more about activities that are renewing for each DISC Style, I’ve written a free e-book, “It’s Time for Self-Renewal: How to Know the Best Steps to Renew Yourself – DISC Style”. It covers what is most renewing for each DISC Style with extra suggested activities for more self-renewing habits. Just click on the button to download your copy!
Leave A Comment