Q’s, M’s And Y’s
So, I thought about something this morning as I was mowing and it’s been in me head all day. I’ve decided that I have a theory that there are three different types of people in the world and their “types” can be changed if they try hard enough, but really I just came to the conclusion that I have no idea what I am talking about and thought I would share.
The Type Q: The Type Q person is the organized one. The doctors, the lawyers, the dentists, people like that. They know what they want and they go for it. They are professionals. They set alarm clocks on Saturday’s, read entire newspapers, and are predictable. Not predictable in a bad way. Predictable in a reliable way. These are the people you want in charge of money, and schedule.
The Type M: These are the folks who occasionally miss important things, they remember where their keys are but are wondering the parking lot looking for their car. They have the ability to be a Type Q but if given the opportunity would sneak off and take a nap. These guys will intentionally do something different simply to prove they are not a “Q”, but then feel awkward about choosing to do that. They are a bit flighty, but can be trusted in a serious moment and genuinely try to be as organized as possible. There’s a lot more to say about the Type M, but unfortunately Type M’s also forget about what they were thinking about while they were mowing.
The Type Y: These are the one’s that you can count on being late to things. They have lost their keys and their car is still parked at the bus station. They typically can’t spell well, and somehow function in society perfectly fine. These are the people you want in charge of anything creative in your life. You want them planning the parties, you want them writing the music, and you want them to answer their phone they lost. You know the one’s I am talking about. They are the most fun to be around, if you can track them down long enough to hang out.
So here are my thoughts. Most people will want to fall into the “M” category. They want to be the fun-loving goof ball, but only when it means they can be arty and weird. When they want a job they turn that off and be a serious asset. To be honest I think a lot people are “M’s” but we all know the “Q’s” and “Y’s” are out there. Here’s the thing. I think “Q’s” secretly want to be “M’s” because they think they are a little cooler than they are. “M’s” can get away with not shaving for a week, and wearing flip-flops to work for a day.
“M’s” secretly wish they were a little more like the “Y’s” because they have it in them but can’t let go of the “Q” in them. They can’t bring themselves to not run spell check before sending the e-mail. They want to have days where they forget to get dressed and leave the shower running for four hours because they see the need for embracing that free spirit. The problem is, in the back of “M’s” mind they know that the water bill is going to come and then start stressing out about leaving the shower on.
“Y’s” get annoying at being a “Y” a lot of the time, because they know that it’s frustrating to not accomplish things they want to do. They wish they hadn’t unplugged their alarm clock before a big meeting, and they hate that they need to rely on the “Q’s” to take care of them. They want to be self-sufficient, but realize that unless they concentrate harder than ever the best they can shoot for is to become an “M”.
I think each type has it’s own benefits and down sides. “Q’s” can do anything they set their mind to. They can come up with a strategy to take on the world and follow through. “M’s” have the ability to create something and turn it in to something effective. If they paint, they have the knowledge to sell it. If they write songs, they can muster the ability to market it. You get the idea. ”Y’s” are the creators. They are the ones staying up all night creating a personality theory that holds no merit. They are the ones embracing the beauty of the world around them and causing other people to embrace it as well.
Here’s where it gets weird. I believe everyone is born a “Y”. Don’t believe me? Tell that to a two-year-old the next time you see him cramming spaghetti in his ear. Tell that to the toddler dancing stark naked around the room to a cell phone ringtone. Every child is a “Y”, and that’s why we adults marvel at watching them being a “Y”. Before jobs, and stress and money and influence bombarded our lives, we were all once a “Y”. I sort of miss it, but that’s because I think I am an “M”.
Here’s the first reason I think I am an “M”. I’m writing this stupid post at midnight because I have been thinking about it all day. Another thing that show’s my “M-ness” is the fact that I used “Q, M, and Y” as my types. You thought I would have used “A, B and C” right? Or maybe “1, 2 and 3″? Nope. I also think I am an “M” because there are more days than not where I desperately want to be a “Y”. I want to forget about the stresses of life, the fear of danger, the lack of money, the unknown. I want to forget about that stuff and laugh about cramming spaghetti in my ear. I want to turn the stairs in my house into a water slide and not worry about repairs. But then I realize those are things that also make life valuable. I live the idea of supporting my family and creating a better life for them. I love the idea of taking nothing and turning it in to something.
Like I said, this thing is absolutely not a legit theory and most likely today was more of a “Y” day for me. The scary part about this is, that I could probably keep typing about this for hours. But hey, at least I haven’t started making up my own language. So if you are still reading this, and I’m not sure why, what are you? A “Q”, an “M” or a “Y”?
I’m most likely a recent convert from a Y to a M. It happened around my early 20′s.
Although, I do have about 50 words in my own language.
“Shea lando le Lee” That says, My name is Lee.
Anyway, I know I’ll never be a Q, I just don’t care enough. Although I don’t like flip-flops.
Don’t you just love the crap you can come up with while you’re mowing the lawn.
Thus the reason you and Randy will be forever friends. You completely understand each other and your own personal languages.I
really think you are both Q’s trying hard not to be, you slip into M’s and Y’s when you are together. Then sit back and laugh together that some kind of Q came out of it.
Love you…Mom
wow, i laughed out loud about the spaghetti. this is genius writing whether you think it or not.
I feel like I am a highly-functioning Y with realistic aspirations for M-ness.
However, I’d like to add that it’s not just kids who are typically Y’s, and that I think students also fall into this category. Think about it – they do all-nighters, they leave assignments to the last possible moment, some play ridiculous pranks on each other, they are adventurous, and probably even some have crammed spaghetti in their ears. It’s like a second childhod ‘Y-ness,’ and latterly, the third of these in life is the midlife crisis.
So, here, added to your theory is the idea of deliberately reinstaded Y nature at periodic times through life? Whatcha think?
Sometimes folks are M’s because fear keeps them from the Q-ness. Ok, I should type specifically: I think I am a Q, but fear keeps me an M. What if I fail? Or does my need for perfection make me more Q? I need more Y in my life. Having a Q for a mom can’t be very much fun… Then again, I think they are grateful when I remember to pick them up from school and buy milk. Great post, Brody. Happy 06-07-08!
did you say why you used “Q” for the first group? Or why you used “Y”? I think I only caught the “M”.
Anyway, I’m a bit of everything I think. Or maybe as you say, I’m just “M”. That way I have “Y” days and I have “Q” days, kind of like your “Y” day of mowing. Speaking of which, who was being your “Q” that day since you were being a “Y”?
I’m an M wishing I could be either a Q or a Y. I feel like if I were a Q I could be more successful in life and somehow that would make me a better person, but honestly, I’d rather take a nap. I wish I were a Y because they are always so fun to be around. I admire the people who can pull the switcharoo in an instant – one moment they’ll researching a project in-depth, and the next they’ll be jumping over a campfire or singing very off key at the top of their lungs on purpose. I think I purposely keep myself as a type M person instead of being a Q or a Y because I feel if I become Q I will be incapable of being a Y, and likewise, if I become a Y I will be incapable of being a Q. If I didn’t have to have any responsibility I would definitely be a Y. That is why children can get away with being Y’s… how I miss those days!
I think you are on to something, and it sounds very familiar to “type A” type B” personality… ha ha….
i’m a q…430 alarm clock…like my routines/habits…now lets get something done…
I used to be a Q. Joined IBM right out of college, created my own company after that, joined a big-time big 5 consulting firm after that, traveled the world, solved a bunch of “really important” problems for some “really important” people. But the whole time, my Y was struggling.
I was writing music on my company laptops, carrying a drawing journal with me everywhere, and looking for every creative outlet I could find in every city I visited (easier in NYC than in Indianapolis…). I got to see a lot of cool stuff and meet a lot of very interesting people. CEOs of major companies, celebrities, and the coolest bunch of kids in Bangalore. But I ended up miserable most of the time.
Ultimately, it was my kids that woke me up because I realized one day that I was teaching them that it was okay to be away from your family for long periods of time, that it was acceptable to suppress your inner longings for creative ventures, and that it was noble to pay more attention to your work than your spirit.
So, I became a Q bordering on a Y. I still think about money and security for my family, but I don’t worry about it. I wear flip flops, cargo shorts, and t-shirts every single day, and I hug my kids every night. I’m more creative than ever and happier than I have been in a very, very long time.
I’d love to be a complete Y, but I don’t think it will ever happen. But I still hope…
Um, I’m a little worried. Not sure I’m either. Maybe a little of Q mixed in with M. But very little Q. And I definitely would like more Y in me.
I’m definitely a Q with a few dips into the M terrain once a month or so. I love routine and the older I get, the more my achiever personality helps me accomplish the things that I’ve dreamed about. Learn a new language in your spare time? Sure. Plan elegant soirees on a budget? Sure.
I could be any one of these three on any given day. Hey, I’m a woman; I like to keep them guessing!
I supposed that averages me out to be an M, though. Not that I am average.
Fun post, Brody!
Oh, I’m a M. I could be a Q (I’m organized enough, for sure) and would maybe even like to be sometimes…but most of the time I just want to sleep all day or do nothing but take pretty pictures!
I am an “m” (would it be “an M” or “a M”?)
if you ever cram spaghetti into your ear… take lots of pictures.
I’m defiantly an interesting combination of M and Y… I really don’t know where one begins and the other starts… I sure wish I was Q sometimes, then maybe I’d remember that I was in the middle of making smoothies just now when I was distracted by my computer and now I have a mess to clean up… but I wonder who else has updated their blog that I need to check into?
Somewhere between a Y and an M. I don’t have enough traits of either, but probably enough of both to be in the middle. Good stuff.
LOL – Brody, great post as always!!! After laughing-out-loud, I would say that I now have my type Q hat on [while as possible] because after serious evaluations, my premise leads me to think I am capable of being all three and here is why with some examples:
Q: Even though still sick since Sunday (flu like symptoms, etc) I am up from bed because I have finals to complete.
M: I intentionally remain flexible by changing my mouse from right to left even though I perceive my right is dominant.
Y: I love spontaneity, let me explain. Have you ever had the wind tickle you? How about twirling in a work resting room?? All lovely moments…
Thanks for this and all other brillant posts! By the way, no spell check on this because–hey–why not?
Have a blessed day!
I am a definite Y that somehow turned into an M after giving birth. There is something about being a mom of twins that makes your focus shift from you to them. It’s probably true for any mom. I just noticed that I don’t stay up and paint all night any more(my Y), instead I make sure they have everything they need for the next day and research college options and toy recalls <—-very M. Also, I completely understand the MYQ stuff. Seems simple, and that’s a little scary, further proof of my M-ness.
well, i know for sure, beyond a shadow of a doubt, that i am most definitely not a “Q”. I’m probably an “M”.
was it the “Y” in you that made you want to be tasered in a back alley somewhere? ’cause that just sounds like a “Y” kind of thing.
Hmm.
“M” I think. But like someone else said up there, the fear keeps me from the productive part most of the time. Like the “Y” and the “Q” are constantly battling it out in my head.
“I should really try and do something to do something with what I do. Yeah, but that’s scary and risky and takes time away from work and all the other grown up stuff like being organized. But really, that’s all I want to do, be creative with no limits. Maybe I wont do anything at all then? How about a nap or TV?”
can there be betweeners? like ‘Q-M’s or ‘M-Q’s? like crayola has red-orange and orange red? If so, then I’m a ‘Q-M’. The fear cthing comes in to play for me a bit, in that I’m afraid to completely let go of the ‘Q’ness, but have a strong ‘dreamer’ streak that renders me way less that 100% efficient.