It’s a basic function of all people. We are gatherers. No, not just gatherers of food. We gather something more basic to how humans function. We gather information about the world around us. We start with observing the human body. The only place where we can see inside our skin is our eyes. But we have five sense gates into our thoughts and feelings: eyes, ears, nose, taste buds, and touch. If all of these sense gates were closed, we would have no practical way of knowing the world around us. Temperament (or InnerKinetics®) starts here with the basics about us and how we are made. We all use our sense gates and depend upon them.
But Are All Gatherers the Same?
Do all people gather the information from their senses in the same way? Do they see the same things but interpret what they see differently? And do they, therefore, end up with different emotional and rational thoughts about the world? Does this basic human function of gathering our information about what we are experiencing of our world cause the different temperaments to function differently and, at times, clash? Yes! They think, feel, and make different conclusions about what they see, hear, taste, touch, and smell. The answer from our experience as human beings is yes. We see things and gather the same information. But we interpret it differently. This can make a huge difference from one human to another.
How Each Temperament “Sees” Their World
Using the four common symbols for the different groupings (the temperaments) of how people think, feel, and behave, let’s make a mental note of the overall way each sees what is happening in their world.
- SPs tend to respond to their observations optimistically
- The SJs are the more serious and critical observers
- NTs respond with a calm and curious assessment
- The NFs react from the depth of their emotions and their very sensitive feelings.
Does your child see the world differently from you? Does your spouse? Maybe the way to appreciate them begins with understanding their differences.
How We Gather Results in Different Responses and Behavior
So, the way we see the world and whatever it presents to us creates in us different responses and, therefore, different behavior. This is at the root of most relationship issues. We must see each other and our different ways of responding to the world with respect and with an understanding of our differences if we want to get along together. Is that not really very true and of basic importance? No wonder a parent with a child of another temperament cries out in confusion, “I just don’t understand my child!” Perhaps a spouse irritatingly judges their spouse with the cry, “This is not the person I married.”
The Starting Place for Understanding
What is our takeaway? A Temperament Key will quickly show us why and what it is that is causing us to read the other person incorrectly. Of course, this is THE starting place for the way we must think and feel about each other.
How we react in order to understand first ourselves, and then others, depends on this basic understanding of each other. Therefore, we have a starting place. Temperament is that starting place. Of those four-letter results to the Temperament Key (your profile), the second letter gives us the actual beginning of our observations about each other that will lead us to a deep revelation about ourselves. A new world in relationships is unlocked by the simple Temperament Key. Complete it to begin your journey.
At this stage don’t worry about which letter you end up with — the S or the N. Just see them as significant similarities or differences. Either way we must have a basic understanding of each other. It will lead you soon to determining which temperament and its characteristics (their basic makeup) happen to be yours. And whatever it is, it is really good! We are all made wonderfully — just differently.
Once you’ve completed the InnerKinetics Temperament Key, you will be ready for the next insight into the wonders of your inner makeup or design: namely, how we make our decisions.
DISCOVER THE TRUTH OF WHO YOU ARE!
Lean into the whole truth. Discover the truth of who YOU are — the “Real You” — and who your children truly are. Discover how to best engage your children in finding the whole truth. INNERKINETICS, Your Blueprint to Excellence and Happiness, is a great resource.
YOUR CHILD IS ALSO UNIQUE
It may surprise you, but your child is most probably a different temperament. They are unique individuals too. So even if they are the same temperament (two letters), they may be a different type (four letters). And the strength of their drives will different from yours as well. Your InnerKinetics (temperament) is not genetically passed on. Therefore, it is exceedingly important to understand your child. I’m a Keeper! is the resource you need to make that journey.
Our team at InnerKinetics is ready to provide that help, too. If you’d like some assistance, you can request a consultation. An InnerKinetics consultant will call you to answer questions and schedule your meeting. Schedule an Initial Consultation. If you are more independent and want to cut to the chase, you need not wait for a call back because you can get answers to your questions and schedule your session HERE.