{"id":18945,"date":"2018-05-07T10:51:29","date_gmt":"2018-05-07T10:51:29","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/focusme.com\/?p=18945"},"modified":"2025-02-13T07:53:29","modified_gmt":"2025-02-13T07:53:29","slug":"how-to-use-the-four-tendencies-to-improve-your-productivity","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/focusme.com\/it\/blog\/how-to-use-the-four-tendencies-to-improve-your-productivity\/","title":{"rendered":"Come utilizzare le Quattro Tendenze per migliorare la vostra produttivit\u00e0"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Why Your Response to Expectations Can Help or Harm Your Productivity<\/strong><\/h2>

Have you ever wondered why you respond to a request in the way you do? Do you ever question why someone won\u2019t fulfill your request? Have you been told you ask too many questions, or wonder how others can convince someone to do something but you can\u2019t?<\/p>

Gretchen Rubin\u2019s Four Tendencies framework is a breakthrough in understanding human behavior because it helps to answer questions just like these. Understanding how people respond to expectations has a lot to do with how quickly a task is accomplished – if at all.<\/p>

If you\u2019re on a quest to improve the way you work, understanding how you tend to respond to your own expectations and to the expectations of those around you is a critical first step.<\/p>

Scarica questo articolo in formato PDF<\/a><\/h2>

<\/a>The Four Tendencies: A Brief Overview<\/strong><\/h2>

Gretchen Rubin is the creator and researcher behind the Four Tendencies framework. Having relinquished her career practicing law to become a full-time author and human behavior explorer, Rubin discovered the Four Tendencies through asking a simple question: \u201cHow do people respond to expectations?\u201d<\/p>

After studying the material collected for her book Better Than Before, Rubin recognized a \u201cbalanced, consistent, encompassing, and predictive\u201d system that categorizes people based on others\u2019 expectations of them.<\/p>

\u201cIt took me months of rumination to make sense of everything I’d observed, and to fit it into a system that accounted for everything,\u201c recalls Rubin<\/a>. I’ll never forget the thrill I felt when everything at last fell into place.\u201d<\/p>

Knowing the answer isn\u2019t the end result, though. On her website, Rubin explains that recognizing the answer to this question can be helpful in gaining cooperation from others, being persuasive, and – as you may have guessed – enabling yourself and your team to become more effective.<\/p>

Rubin refers to her framework as a \u201cSorting Hat for Muggles,\u201d referring to a similar, fictitious categorization<\/a> from the Harry Potter book series. Though each individual may share characteristics of more than one Tendency, there will always be a dominant mannerism each person defaults to.<\/p>

And it\u2019s the differences, however minor they seem, that are the most important to recognize when discovering your unique Tendency and how to use it to your advantage.<\/p>

How to boost your productivity with the Four Tendencies?<\/p>

Download our free guide<\/a><\/p>

<\/a>The Basic Framework of the Four Tendencies<\/strong><\/h2>

Rubin\u2019s months-long research and rumination led her to discover that every person fit into one of four Tendencies: the Obliger, the Rebel, the Questioner, and the Upholder. The Tendencies are referred to as such because they describe the way people tend to respond to expectations placed on them by others – or by themselves.<\/p>

\u201cIf we don\u2019t know our Tendency \u2014 or someone else\u2019s Tendency \u2014 we may pursue strategies that are ineffective, or worse, counterproductive,\u201d says Rubin<\/a>.<\/p>

<\/p>

The Tendencies aren\u2019t meant to describe the way a person always <\/em>responds, but rather their most common go-to mode. Thus, Rubin reiterates that those who discover their Tendency should not pigeonhole themselves into their specific profile, but learn how to use it to their advantage.<\/p>

To reveal a person\u2019s core Tendency, Rubin developed a quiz that hones in on how a person behaves when presented with an expectation. The types of expectations she explores are lumped into two categories: outer expectations and inner expectations.<\/p>

Outer expectations include deadlines, work-related demands, or a spouse asking you to complete a chore. Inner expectations are those we place on ourselves, such as goal-setting, maintaining a New Year\u2019s resolution, keeping up with your blog, or graduating.<\/p>

\u201c…Part of what made the quiz<\/a> tricky was that I had to figure out questions that would really pinpoint the key differences among the Tendencies,\u201d explains Rubin.<\/p>

\u201cYour response to expectations<\/a> may sound slightly obscure, but it turns out to be very, very important.\u201d<\/p>

Let\u2019s learn a little more about the four Tendencies Rubin discovered:<\/p>

<\/a>The Obliger<\/h3>

When examining the response to inner and outer expectations, the Obliger excels at meeting outer expectations but will resist inner expectations.<\/p>

In simpler terms, this Tendency is more of a \u201cpeople pleaser\u201d that wants to meet others\u2019 expectations and is willing to sacrifice their own ambitions.<\/p>

If you\u2019ve ever wondered why other people are able to rely on you but you aren\u2019t able to meet your own goals, you might be an Obliger.<\/p>

In an interview, Rubin revealed that Obligers are the most challenging of the four Tendencies – and it\u2019s also the largest. Over 65% of Obligers<\/a> reported frustration because they couldn\u2019t prioritize their own wants and needs. When pushed to their limits, Obligers will often walk out on jobs or marriages, end friendships, or start becoming less reliable (e.g. showing up late).<\/p>

<\/a>The Questioner<\/h3>

The Questioner Tendency is the exact opposite of the Obliger. Questioners do well achieving their own expectations but often fail to live up to those of others.<\/p>

A Questioner is more likely to adhere to a New Year\u2019s resolution or complete personal projects. They\u2019re less likely to meet strict deadlines or settle on matters when their questions remain unanswered. They need to feel satisfied with whatever outcome occurs.<\/p>

<\/a>The Rebel<\/h3>

Concerning inner and outer expectations, the Rebel resists them both.<\/p>

If you ask a Rebel to do something, regardless of the situation, they will most likely resist (or perhaps will only oblige in order to remain employed). They don\u2019t usually do favors. They also don\u2019t always have a valid reason for refusing your request. It\u2019s simply their nature.<\/p>

Rebels prefer self-determination and authenticity. They like the sense of control and power over others, and they receive that gratification when they\u2019re able to refuse a request. They don\u2019t usually regard the reasoning behind the rules, but prefer to create their own – even when the outcome is less than desirable. It\u2019s a \u201cMy way or the highway\u201d mentality.<\/p>

<\/a>The Upholder<\/h3>

The fourth Tendency is the one Rubin herself identifies with – the Upholder. Upholders embrace both outer and inner expectations. They don\u2019t want to fail others, but they don\u2019t believe in failing themselves, either.<\/p>

Because Upholders feel the need to satisfy everyone (including themselves), they tend to be better at forming good habits that will help them achieve others\u2019 expectations while still finding the time and strength to meet their own goals.<\/p>

<\/a>Which Tendency Do You Identify With?<\/strong><\/h2>

<\/p>

At first glance, it may seem obvious which Tendency you most identify with. Rubin herself admits that these four Tendencies are largely self-explanatory. They overlap each other in many ways, especially when considering these are just \u201ctendencies\u201d and not a strict label that each person adheres to 100% of the time.<\/p>

The only way to know for sure is to take the quiz for yourself. You can do so free qui<\/a>.<\/p>

A few things to know prior to taking the quiz:<\/p>

The questions asked during the quiz require you to imagine yourself in various scenarios and select how you would most likely respond.<\/p>

Understand that whatever the result, it does not mean that it\u2019s your only way of being. The Tendencies do overlap, and you likely share characteristics of more than one Tendency.<\/p>

The questions were specifically designed to break through that overlap to determine your true Tendency.<\/p>

At the end of the quiz, you\u2019ll get more in-depth information into your specific Tendency. The best thing you can do with this new information is to start putting it to work in your favor.<\/p>

Click here to discover which of the four tendencies best reflects your preferences.<\/a><\/p>

<\/a>How Your Tendency Affects Your Ability to Work<\/strong><\/h2>

<\/p>

Once you know if you\u2019re an Obliger, a Questioner, a Rebel, or an Upholder, it\u2019s time to learn how it affects your work ethic, and how you can start forming the right habits to improve it:<\/p>

<\/a>The Obliger<\/h3>

As someone who always puts others\u2019 expectations in front of their own, the Obliger is often the first person co-workers or bosses turn to when they need a favor. Managers may have higher expectations of Obligers because they know Obligers will do whatever it takes to achieve them. Obligers may often be the leader of the group in school projects or work teams because others can depend on their reliability.<\/p>

Being an Obliger can have both positive and negative effects on your productivity.<\/p>

On the plus side, it means you\u2019re unwilling to miss deadlines, which encourages you to maintain a productive schedule. You feel that not meeting the expectations placed on you is a symbol of failure, and you would do anything to avoid that designation.<\/p>

On the downside, being an Obliger means you\u2019re prioritizing other people\u2019s expectations ahead of your own. You may not be allowing yourself enough time to create your own projects, pursue your own passions, or develop new interests. You may find it hard to turn down extra assignments from your boss, or say no to co-workers who ask for help. As a Mother Hen, you feel it is your duty to satisfy others first, and nourish yourself with whatever is left over. So if you\u2019re trying to write a novel, maintain a blog, create a piece of art for your home, or fix that leaky faucet once and for all, there\u2019s a reason why you just can\u2019t seem to get it done: other people\u2019s expectations are more important to you than your own.<\/p>

<\/a>The Questioner<\/h3>

If you identify as a Questioner, you probably have no trouble keeping pace with your own goals. But you might not be a favorite employee at work. Missing deadlines or turning down opportunities that don\u2019t interest you are fairly common in your life.<\/p>

But it\u2019s not that you don\u2019t understand the importance of these things. It\u2019s that you need to know what\u2019s in it for you, and why things are the way they are in order for you to get on board.<\/p>

You have a natural tendency to question the validity of deadlines, rules, and general information. You don\u2019t like to wait in line because you don\u2019t understand why you have to wait. Rather, you think that something <\/em>could be done to avoid wasting time in line. Rubin once said<\/a> to a Questioner: \u201cMaybe you aren\u2019t meeting your deadlines because you aren\u2019t convinced they are really true.\u201d<\/p>

Questioners become so wrapped up in trying to see logic and reason in a project or task that they spend more time mulling it over than actually working on it. They need to see purpose. They want to know how they will benefit in the end. They want to view the problem from every possible angle.<\/p>

Granted, there\u2019s nothing wrong with wanting to be thorough. But being as thorough as a Questioner could cost more time than the problem is worth.<\/p>

<\/a>The Rebel<\/h3>

Rubin mentions that Rebels are the smallest group of the four tendencies.<\/p>

Rebels tend to resist inner and outer expectations. They like to find their own way to do things. They want to do things on their own schedule.<\/p>

This rebellion can cause problems when trying to improve productivity.<\/p>

Rebels will spend more time thinking about how they can change a system instead of abiding by the rules. They\u2019re more concerned with doing things their own way instead of taking the easy way. If someone asks them to do something, they will decline or delay any action, even if they had been planning to do it before they were asked.<\/p>

<\/a>The Upholder<\/h3>

Upholders love to embrace the expectations of everyone, including themselves. They\u2019re the type of person to say Yes to just about any new opportunity. If something seems too difficult for them, they\u2019re eager to learn what\u2019s necessary in order to achieve it.<\/p>

Upholders don\u2019t want to let anyone down, including themselves. They will stay up late, skip lunches, or come in early in order to complete any requirements.<\/p>

But even Upholders need a break every now and then. Because Upholders tend to take on as much as possible when expectations require it, they may end up with more than they can feasibly handle – without realizing it. They may struggle to prioritize, to say no when they have too much on their plate, or to give adequate attention to each of their many projects.<\/p>

<\/a>What to Do Next?<\/strong><\/h2>

Rubin has mentioned in several interviews and published pieces that knowing your own Tendency and the Tendencies of others can be helpful in a variety of situations. She has heard personal success stories from people who have lost weight, from parents who prevented their child from dropping out of school, from doctors persuading patients to take their medication as prescribed, and from employees who want to work better as a team.<\/p>

You can use your Tendency to help develop habits that work well for you. For example, if your goal is to visit the gym more often, an Obliger might want to rope in a workout buddy – because they wouldn\u2019t want to let someone down by canceling a workout.<\/p>

It can be helpful to understand someone else\u2019s Tendency and know how it affects you. If you want them to do something, such as helping on a project at work or meeting a specific deadline, you\u2019ll know the best way to get them to respond.<\/p>

Take the first step by discovering your own unique tendency<\/a>. Once you know what makes you tick, you\u2019re better positioned to influence yourself and others around you.<\/p>

Then, download our free guide on how to use your Tendency to boost your productivity.<\/p>

Download here<\/a><\/p>

Scarica questo articolo in formato PDF<\/a><\/h2>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Why Your Response to Expectations Can Help or Harm Your Productivity Have you ever wondered why you respond to a request in the way you do? Do you ever question why someone won\u2019t fulfill your request? Have you been told you ask too many questions, or wonder how others can convince someone to do something […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":18950,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[22,8,33],"tags":[10,32],"class_list":["post-18945","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-habits","category-productivity","category-studying","tag-productivity","tag-time-management"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/focusme.com\/it\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/18945","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/focusme.com\/it\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/focusme.com\/it\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/focusme.com\/it\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/focusme.com\/it\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=18945"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/focusme.com\/it\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/18945\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/focusme.com\/it\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/18950"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/focusme.com\/it\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=18945"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/focusme.com\/it\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=18945"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/focusme.com\/it\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=18945"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}