Slow down and live in the moment. This is a worthwhile resolution for the New Year, similar to one I proposed in January 2003 — “Yield the right-of-way.” But slowing down, letting go and savoring the moment is difficult for some of us. Yes, I’m talking about personality again.

Several of my ISHN contributions in 2004 addressed personality and its effects on safety attitudes and behaviors. In February and March, I detailed distinctions between four personalities: success seekers, overstrivers, failure avoiders, and failure accepters; and I suggested strategies for transitioning people to the most desirable state of success-seeking for safety. In April, I discussed anxiety as a personality trait versus a state, and proposed advantages for having some ongoing anxiety or concern with regard to safety.

My July column in 2004 explained the “Big 5” personality traits with reference to workplace safety, and included sample questions for assessing these, including openness, conscientiousness, extraversion, agreeableness, and neuroticism. Finally, in October I introduced the concept of “entitlement,” and showed how this mindset impacts safety and health.

In all of this I omitted the one person factor with the most relevance to personal injury and its prevention — Type A versus Type B. Type A individuals are more prone to experience a near hit or unintentional injury. On a personal note, I realize my Type A propensities make it difficult for me to live in the moment and attend mindfully to my ongoing behavior.