Taylor Hartman couldn't have known he would discover innovative theories of personality that would influence millions of people.
He just knew he had to dig deeper to find the core motives behind people's behavior.
Hartman is the founder of "The Color Code" personality theories. His first book, which he had no inclination to write and the manuscript for which was left behind in an airport for a week, has influenced millions of people.
Hartman began thinking about the field of psychology while serving a Mormon mission. As a missionary, he found that he loved people and wanted to help them resolve their relationship problems.
Later, as a practicing therapist, he knew that the behaviorism that dominated the field of psychology in the 1970s didn't go far enough to effectively help him treat his clients.
Hartman concluded that all people are born with one of four personality types, to which he assigns a color. "Reds" are motivated primarily by power, "Blues" by intimacy, "Yellows" by fun and "Whites" by peace. Each personality type has its potential strengths and weaknesses.
As Hartman began seeing his clients through this new paradigm, he felt he could discern their motives more clearly and help them see what they needed to change.
"It cuts therapy in half," he said. "You can get better with these tools so much quicker."
His wife and university colleagues urged him to write a book about his innovative ideas. But as a social, fun-loving "Yellow," Hartman said he "had no interest in writing books. They're very hard to (write)."
It was only when his "Blue" wife, Jean, told him he would have to write a chapter a week before they could go out on the weekends.
"The best decision I ever made in life was to marry my wife," he said. "I'm so grateful for her."
His first book was called "The Color Code." Because computers were scarce at the time, he wrote the entire manuscript by hand. He took his only copy on a 1986 Hawaiian vacation and lost it on the way home. A full week passed before he realized it was missing and called the airport. Luckily, the ticket agent he called found it sitting on the chair where he'd left it.
He would never have been willing to rewrite the book. Hartman attributes the recovery to divine providence.
Hartman invites his clients and readers to overcome the weaknesses associated with their personality type and develop strengths not native to their personality type. He then encourages individuals to develop character and have the greatest motive of all: selfless contribution and service.
"You get to know yourself so you can get over yourself," Hartman believes.
Hartman's mother was a "Red." In order to get her approval, he believed that he, too, was a "Red" and tried to live his life as one.
"I was living a lie," he said.
He believes that no matter how "charactered" (able to gain the strengths of non-native colors) one becomes, it's essential to remain true to one's own core personality. He compares this to the joy of coming home after a vacation. Those who are not congruent, he says, "give up the divine gift of themselves."
A father of five and grandfather of nine, Hartman enjoys relating to his family members, who include all the personality colors.
In addition to "The Color Code" (1987), he has written "Color Your Future" (1991), about becoming more charactered; "Sandcastles" (2001), about becoming more loving; and "Playing Life to Win: A Game Plan for Self Development" (2008). He has also updated "The Color Code" under a new title: "The People Code: It's All About Your Innate Motive" (2007).
Hartman said the personality theory helps him to be more forgiving. He doesn't take things as personally as he once did, now that he better understands where others are coming from.
"I love learning other colors' languages," he said. "And I just love God for his ability to embrace us on all our different levels."
"The Color Code" also helps Hartman in his calling. Currently serving as his Salt Lake City area ward's Young Men president, Hartman picked counselors with personalities of different "colors" than his so they "can have balance." The code helps him understand the young men he works with, and he doesn't take offense if they seem rebellious or have a different perspective from his.
"I feel 'The Color Code' is a gift from God to help us live the gospel more abundantly," Hartman said. He also finds it interesting that different "colors" struggle with different commandments.
Hartman finds the teachings of the gospel invaluable in his work with clients.
"I cannot imagine being a therapist without a gospel background," he said. "Psychology is so unrooted. The gospel roots me. It's better, deeper, richer and more true than psychology."