This was a regular scenario at my house:
Phone rings – it’s the neighbor – “Beth – your husband is out mowing the lawn AGAIN – the 3rd time this week! Tell him to stop!!”
But I know it has been a stressful time at work and mowing the yard is a guaranteed way for him to feel renewed and refreshed – plus he gets the added bonus of a beautifully manicured lawn. And if it drives the neighbors a little crazy, so be it…
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. But if we apply the DISC System, each DISC Style is renewed in very specific ways. For a D-Style, yes, this can mean mowing the lawn because they are renewed by PHYSICAL ACTIVITY!
First, let’s back up and review the basics of each DISC Style:
- D-Style: Gets things done, is decisive and authoritative
- I-Style: Is enthusiastic, outgoing, positive and persuasive
- S-Style: Is steady, dependable, cooperative and patient
- C-Style: Likes procedures, is systematic, precise and conscientious
Please note that most people are a combination of two or three of these styles, but one style is usually the strongest.
To focus more on the High D-Style, this person tends to:
- Like to be in control
- Focus on tasks more than on people
- Have a “high speed motor”
- Be decisive – sometimes without researching the facts
- Get things done quickly
- Be authoritative
- Take charge in a situation
Given these strengths, it is not surprising that for Self-Renewal, the High D-Style prefers to:
- Go for a walk or run
- Have a wrestling match with the kids
- Go to the gym for a good workout
- Throw a ball or Frisbee with friends
- Work in the garden
- Chop and cook a favorite meal
- Take part in a quick basketball shoot with friends
- Take a dance or spin class
- Build a snowman
- Strap on snowshoes and tromp through the park
- Anything that requires physical energy and 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, 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
Over the next few weeks, we will look at what is Self-Renewing for the other 3 DISC Styles.
***If you would like a jumpstart on learning about DISC Styles and Self-Renewal, please click here for my short but insightful $5 e-book, “It’s Time for Self-Renewal: How to Know the best Steps to Renew Yourself – DISC Style.”
QUESTION: Do you know someone (maybe it’s you) who is renewed by Physical Activity? What do they prefer? I’d love to hear your thoughts and observations. Please share in the comment section below.
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