A friend of mine, also one of my counselors this summer, thinks I am INFJ. I’ve never been excited about personality tests like the Myers-Briggs. Perhaps it is because I felt that for most of my life tests were used to define who I was. Take a test: get an identity. A bit of a rebel in me, maybe, resisting yet another classification. But my friend explained to me that she thinks personality tests should simply confirm and clarify what you already sensed about yourself.
I took the test last year and I don’t remember my answer – I wasn’t that happy about the type it said I was. Then, this summer my friend seemed to think I might be INFJ. She handed me the lengthy description. I read it and it seemed to agree with most of me. What I liked/agreed with included “strong empathetic abilities”, “unusual degree of imagery in their writing”, “thrive in occupations which involve interacting with people”. – and, of course, being less than one percent of the population, made me feel special 😉
My friend Enoch has a number of personality test links , and out of curiousity I took the Myers-Briggs type one twice last night – the first time I came out ISFJ and the second time ENFJ. I think I’m really borderline introvert/extrovert, depending on my mood and energy level. F is pretty strong. J can be strong too but may be changing in me.
Looking around at web sites I seem to have seen a few other INFJ and INFP’s out there blogging….I’m sure someone somewhere out there has an opinion on all this :-)…
5 responses so far ↓
1 enoch // Dec 12, 2003 at 3:20 am
tania loves doing these kinds of tests…
2 Katherine // Dec 12, 2003 at 11:03 am
David is INFJ – it is a GREAT personality type 🙂 I am ESTJ – all opposite except the J…although I am also somewhat E somewhat I. Interestingly, David’s roommate in college and former girlfriend are also ESTJ – he picks one type and sticks with it!!!
3 John Porcaro // Dec 13, 2003 at 6:12 pm
I’m an INFP. Folks who know me well can’t believe I’m an “I,” but it comes down to where you get your energy, from being alone, or from being with others. After a day at the office where I’m interacting a lot, or even after a weekend with the kids, I need to “recharge” by being alone.
Most marketing (maybe creative) types are “N’s,” rather than being too logical.
Most bloggers that write about personal things are probably “F’s,” though most tech bloggers are “T’s” (actually, most engineers).
I know as many J’s as P’s, but my guess is most bloggers who are good at everyday posts are probably J’s–they like things planned and predictable. I happen to blog (about) twice a week, post-dating posts. I do things when the mood strikes.
Biggest thing to remember about MBTI is it’s about tendencies, not judgements. It’s about knowing what motivates, rather than what’s right or wrong. I very much behave like an extrovert, but I’m definitely an introvert (according to the MBTI definition).
jp
4 Tamara // Dec 18, 2003 at 8:17 am
I am an INFJ.
My husband (who reads Ted’s blog) sent me a link and I’ve been enjoying your insights and family. Lots of smiles here because I have 3 boys; Evan-5 next month, Ike-3, and Jude-1 next month.
I like being an INFJ because they are Why-askers. 🙂 They want to know people and things on a deep level.
5 Dagmar // Feb 15, 2004 at 1:44 pm
That Myers-Briggs test is so accurate! I’m an INFJ and the descriptions all sounded exactly like me.