Self-analysis tool – The PDR chart (Part2)

1. Introduction to self-analysis of the root defect

In this chapter (following up from the last chapter) we continue to explain how to fill out the self-analysis tool, which is the PDR chart. In the last chapter we focused on understanding the intensity and impact of a mistake. In this chapter we explain how to analyse the root cause of an incorrect action or reaction.

2. A quick and easy method of self-analysis

The next time you recognise that you have made a mistake or someone else has pointed one of your mistakes out to you – it provides a good opportunity for introspection and analysis of oneself for increased self-awareness. The mistake could be big or small. Yet either way, it presents an opportunity to better understand one’s mind. The analysis would be focused on, ‘What personality defect of mine caused such a mistake to happen?

To arrive at the root personality defect responsible for a mistake, one has to go on analysing by asking questions to oneself as to why we made that incorrect action or why we had that incorrect reaction. Then one needs to document one’s analysis in columns G, H, I & J in the self-analysis tool, which is the PDR chart. Below is an example snapshot of a self-analysis chart to document the mistakes that one has made.

2.1 Was it a personality defect or an aspect of one’s ego that manifested? (Column G)

In column G, we have provided two options in categorising a mistake, i.e., due to one’s ego or just a personality defect. Based on what we choose in the drop down in column G, in columns H, I and J, you will be presented with a list of ego manifestations or personality defects to choose from.

So how do we decide if a mistake has occurred due to a personality defect or is the result of one’s ego manifesting?

Actually all PDs arise from ego. Ego is something that is more ingrained while PDs are more superficial manifestations of ego. So to decide whether a mistake has occurred due to a PD or an ego point ask yourself how engrained the defect is. If it is a random case of a defect manifesting then choose PD, however if it is a strong personality trait then choose ego. Refer to the worksheet that lists various personality defects and ego points as a guideline to help understand how you can classify a mistake.

The next step is filling column H, I and J after understanding/analysing what were the personality defects or ego points that contributed to the mistake.

In section 2.2 to 2.6 given below we explain how to go into this analysis in detail in order to fill out the chart correctly.

2.2 Self-analysis practical example 1 – Incorrect action/inaction

Let’s say that you have become aware that the following mistake has occurred – “I did not wash the coffee mug after having coffee”.

So this is an incorrect action. In order to facilitate the self-analysis process around this incorrect action, you will need to ask yourself, ‘Why did I not wash the coffee mug?’

The following are some possible answers that you may get. The analysis of the root defect will depend on what the predominant thought was (in your mind) behind the inaction of not washing the coffee mug. In the following table we illustrate how the analysis can be carried out.

 

Thought behind the mistake	Possible root personality defect
I did not wash the coffee mug because I felt it was below my dignity. My time should be used to do something much more important like computer work, while my wife can do all these daily chores.	Pride
I had all intentions of washing the coffee mug, but I was just too busy with many things to be done, and then later I did not do it.	Lack of planning and organisation or being disorganised
I did not feel like doing it now, I thought I will do it later. I just wanted to lie on my couch and relax.	Laziness
I have already done so many things and my family members should help me wash the coffee mug	Expectations

As you can see depending on the thought behind not washing the coffee mug, you would need to fill out the personality defect related to the thought in column H, I and J.

2.3 Self-analysis practical example 2 – Incorrect reaction

In this section we will go through the analysis of an incorrect reaction.

Joanne has become aware of a reaction she was having. I was angry with my manager when he praised my colleague (Tina) instead of me.

To begin the process of self-analysis Joanne needs to ask the following question, “Why did I get angry when my manager praised Tina?”

Depending on what was the thought that triggered the anger, Joanne will be able assess herself as to which personality defect was the cause of the reaction in her.

 

Thought behind the reaction of anger	Possible root personality defect
My manager always praises Tina and never appreciates my efforts. I will never get noticed no matter how hard I try.	Jealousy
In my last job also no one praised me. Even at home no one really appreciates my efforts. Am I not good enough?	Insecurity
My manager is biased. I have done a better job than Tina.	Prejudice
I will show Tina up because I don’t think that she is that good.	Anger and Revengefulness

2.4 Self-analysis practical example 2 – Incorrect action (drilling deeper)

In some cases, one may have to ask more questions to oneself in order to dig deeper so as to get to the root of which personality defect caused the incorrect action or reaction. Let us look at an example:

Incident: I was joking excessively when I met my school friends after many years at a class reunion. Some of them commented negatively on my excessive joking.

(Humour in itself is not a bad thing – however joking excessively can get annoying for others. Therefore, joking excessively can be a mistake by itself, however if one were to analyse further, one may uncover something deeper about oneself. Therefore, one needs to ask the question, ‘why’ a number of times as one analyses the different reasons that could have caused a mistake to occur.)

2.5 Filling out the chart

It is important to note that we may feel that there is a combination of personality defects that contributed to a mistake. It is for this reason we have provided 3 columns (H, I and J) to list these defects/ego manifestations. In column H we would need to list the primary defect while in column I and J we can list the secondary defects/ego manifestations.

For example, in the mistake – “I felt lazy to wash the dishes after dinner”. The main personality defect identified could be ‘laziness’ while a secondary personality defect contributing to why the mistake took place could be due to ‘procrastination’. Accordingly, after choosing PD in column G, for this particular mistake one would fill Defect 1 (column H) as ‘Lazy’ and Defect 2 (column I) as ‘Procrastination’. If one cannot think of any other contributing personality defects one can leave Defect 3 (column J) blank. Please note it is mandatory and important that one fills at least one defect for each mistake.