Are you the eldest sibling in your family? The baby? Born somewhere in the middle? An only child? A twin (like me)? According to research by Kevin Leman, Ph.D., author of The Birth Order Book: Why You Are the Way You Are, your birth order has a powerful impact on your personality traits, talents and goals. “The way you interacted with your parents and siblings as a child based on your position in your family has a profound impact on who you are today,” he explains. So, what does the position you take in your family reveal about positions you take in life?
If you’re: The first-born
You’re a driven perfectionist
Being the first child of the family isn’t enough—you strive to be first in everything else you do, too. Luckily, reaching your many ambitious goals is easy thanks to your organizational skills, intense focus and ability to shoulder lots of responsibility—traits you no doubt honed while pitching in to take care of younger siblings. Parents are typically more cautious with first-borns, which plays a part in why you tend not to rush into anything new—like buying a new car or appliance—without doing your homework first. Of course, with your high standards, you also want to make sure you’re getting only the very best.
If you’re: A middle child
You’re a peace maker
“Squeezed between one or more older and younger siblings, you automatically become more flexible and diplomatic as you strive for balance and harmony in the family,” says Leman. So, it’s no wonder you’re the one who can broker peace between anybody, intuitively knowing exactly what each person needs to be happy. You’re a loyal and dependable friend, but, interestingly, you also pride yourself on your independence and self-reliance, preferring to achieve your dreams on your own by relying on your widely varied talents and ingenuity.
If you’re: The youngest child
You’re a fun free spirit
Charming, chatty, affectionate and artistic, you’re the born entertainer of the family, shining brightest when the spotlight is squarely on you. “Your humor and story-telling ability—which made you a hit at the dinner table—makes you the life of any party,” says Leman. By the way, these same skills also make you a master salesperson, successful at selling products or pitching projects to your boss or investors who can make your one-of-a-kind visions come to life. Despite having older sibling to show you the ropes, you prefer to break with tradition and do things your own way.
If you’re: An only child
You’re a creative sage
Wise beyond your years, you’re a mature, sophisticated person who surprises everyone with your colorful imagination. In fact, years spent entertaining yourself alone in your bedroom now give you the impressive ability to come up with novel ideas and creative solutions in a flash, says Leman. Even though you excel on your own, truth is, you enjoy being part of a team effort and crave the company of others. Knowing first-hand how wonderful it feels to be doted on, you’ve got a generous nature and big heart, with the urge to splurge on those you love most.
If you’re: A twin
You’re an explorer
As a twin, finding your own identity is key, so it’s no surprise that you’re an avid adventurer, often making others marvel at all the new and unusual activities you try. You wouldn’t trade anything for the tight-knit bond you have with your twin, but you’re also fiercely competitive with him or her—and everyone else for that matter—ready to prove how well you can outdo them all. Having had a shoulder to lean on all these years makes it effortless for you to share your feelings. This makes you an invaluable comfort to others who feel they can also open up to you and share their deepest thoughts and wishes.
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wow, loved this article. really rings true…