A Walk In The Woods

Birth Order behaviors can be characterized by a walk in the woods.

An Only Child taking a walk in the woods sticks to the path, reads the signs along the way and starts back when necessary to get back at the right time. The Only stays organized on the walk.

A First Born picks a distant goal, walks through the difficult part of the woods, trips over roots, falls into the creek, gets all dirty and is unable to reach the goal. However, if he were to reach the goal he would be disappointed. Goals have to high enough to never be completely attainable.

A Second Born walks around in circles in the woods, watching her feet, discovering interesting pieces of wood along the way. She may bump her head into low lying branches as she watches her feet.

A Third Born goes into the woods only if someone else wants to go and needs help. The Third Born takes this person through the most difficult part of the woods insisting that the person be strong. The Third Born does not go into the woods for his or her own sake.

The Fourth Born does not go into the woods at all. He stands outside the woods, tells others where to go and how to get there. That's why so many coaches are Fourth Born.