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When it comes to understanding how different Perceptual Styles interact, I’ve got a built-in case study: my wife, Lynda-Ross, and me. For those of you who don’t already know, I’m Activity, and she’s Vision. We've been married for 37 years and have worked together for most of those years. While some folks cringe at the thought of working with their spouse, we’ve found it to be overwhelmingly positive and rewarding. (For the most part—let’s not sugarcoat it entirely!)

Self-awareness is a buzzword often heard in personal development circles, but what does it truly mean? More importantly, why is it considered the essential first step toward meaningful change?

The end of the year is the perfect time to pause and take stock of where we’ve been and where we’re headed. Reflection is a deeply personal process, and how you approach it has a lot to do with your Perceptual Style

Holiday perfectionism—it’s something most of us have wrestled with, even if we don’t call it that.

Whether it’s orchestrating the perfect meal, finding the perfect gift, or creating the perfect moment, the pressure to make everything just right during the holidays can be overwhelming.

I’ve always been intrigued by the push and pull of different Perceptual Styles—how our unique approaches can either complement or clash in the fast-paced world of technology. One such fascinating combo? The interaction between Activity (my Perceptual Style) and Methods.

When you meet someone with the same Perceptual Style as you, it can feel like discovering a long-lost twin. That’s what happened when I met my friend Cesar at work. We both have the Activity Perceptual Style, and from the very first meeting, we just clicked.

When people talk about introverts and extroverts, the conversation often boils down to whether someone enjoys social interactions or not. But in reality, introversion and extroversion are much deeper concepts that are tied to where we derive meaning in our lives. Understanding which one you lean towards can help guide decisions that lead to a more fulfilling life.

The Importance of Feeling Seen and Heard

Human connection isn’t just about communication; it’s about feeling seen and heard. We all long to feel like we belong. Have you ever felt lonely in a crowd? Despite people surrounding you, there’s no real connection. That absence of connection is isolation. It’s something I’ve been reflecting on recently, particularly when thinking about a woman I follow on social media. She shares delightful snippets of her life, often paired with a “Scots word of the day,” and her posts are enjoyed by thousands. But, behind the scenes, she faces a darker side—she’s harassed, even stalked. It’s a horrible price to pay for the illusion of connection that social media can create. Her experience illustrates that while we may feel known or validated online, it’s often a one-sided relationship that can easily become toxic.

The Clash of Styles: Activity Meets Flow

As you know, my Perceptual Style is Activity. I’ve always been drawn to quick action and the concept of continuous improvement. I’m naturally curious about how things work, and I really enjoy technology… that probably explains my 25-year career with IBM.

In a post from January 2022, I explored a common reaction to life not going as we want, think it should, or expect it to: the belief that something is inherently wrong with the world or with ourselves.