You’ve Got Yourself a Melancholic

Tentative but introverted people are known as Melancholic. 

Melancholic personalities believe that the main purpose in life is to understand the patterns that make life possible. They love to know “why” and “how.” They sift through the data of life and try to make sense of things. They love structure, predictability, numbers, scientific method, physical proof and evidence. They value logical discussion, and they feel uncomfortable with overly emotional outbursts. Melancholic people are perfectionists. They want the world to make perfect sense, and they have a hard time accepting the fact that not everyone cares about logic and accuracy as much as they do. It just doesn’t seem logical to them that people can function without logic.  

When Melancholic people are confronted by illogical and emotional people, a “this-does-not-compute” sign begins to flash in their brains. They keep wanting to fix the illogical thought, even when the illogical thought comes from someone else. When people do not cooperate with them, by giving them the logic that they require, Melancholic personalities feel unsettled and will often withdraw from the situation. Melancholic people spend a lot of energy trying to make sense of troubling events, so they can avoid those events in the future. When they are upset, they like to break down the exact cause of the frustration and will often recite each event in sequence to pinpoint the problem. They need to learn that not everybody cares about making sense and being logical. Melancholic people only learn how to interact with others effectively when they discover the link between their own need for logic and the illogic of always wanting and expecting others to be logical.  

If you have ever wondered, “Can’t they see that they aren’t making sense?” chances are, you’re Melancholic. Again, the true test as to whether or not you’re Melancholic comes when you ask yourself what irritates you the most. What irritates a Melancholic? Inaccuracy, imprecision, lack of planning, rushing into things and any impulsive, ill-advised, illogical behavior. When dealing with Melancholic people, you should be precise, thorough, organized and methodical. Appreciate their logic and their depth of understanding. Give them time. They need time in order to do a good job. But don’t give them forever. Their desperate need to get things right often means that they never feel ready. So, help them to create deadlines. And help them to see the illogic of always expecting logic and perfection from others. They will appreciate your understanding and become your most brilliant touchstones. 

Here’s how you handle a Melancholic:

They are Introverted and Tentative. 
They want life to make sense. 
They crave thoroughness, order, and accuracy. 
They like people to be precise, logical and not overly emotional. 
They dislike illogical people. 
Their strengths are analyzing data and relationships 
Their weaknesses are perfectionism, indecision and procrastination. They hate to make mistakes, so they will often wait until the last minute. They are also extremely intolerant of the impulsive and illogical actions of others. 
They fear being wrong. 
They want people to be precise. 
At play they like to be structured. 
They tend to be factual, organized and accurate. 
They make decisions by deliberating; they collect, analyze and weight all the facts, then chooses the most logical option. 
Under pressure they become withdrawn and removed. 
They want you to acknowledge their procedures. 
When dealing with them focus on your process. 
To help them make decisions provide data and documentation. 
When emotional they become hurt, worried, confused and withdrawn. 
Words that can help motivate a Melancholic:
Guarantee
Evidence
Analysis
Research
Experts
Proof
Data shows
Logic says
Think

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