I’ve been on a personality test kick lately.
If you’ve taken any, I’m sure you know the relief and excitement that rises up inside when these tests make sense out of your habits and tendencies.
I am an INFP who is a mere 3% away from being an ENFP. Both profiles seem to describe me pretty well. Here are some of the points that stood out most to me.
- They are genuinely warm and interested in people, and place great importance on their inter-personal relationships. (I am often accused of being flirtatious. It’s a genuine interest in humanity. I’m probably NOT flirting with you. Get over it.)
- Because ENFPs live in the world of exciting possibilities, the details of everyday life are seen as trivial drudgery. (I have learned to shower every day, as this is a social expectation. However, I don’t think I’ll ever make my bed on a regular basis.)
- They have a strong need to be independent, and resist being controlled or labelled. They need to maintain control over themselves, but they do not believe in controlling others. (If I feel that I am being controlled, even if it is a direction I would already be headed, I’ll resist. Freedom man, let me be and do as I want. As far as controlling others… who would WANT to do that?)
- Although they may be reserved in expressing emotion, they have a very deep well of caring and are genuinely interested in understanding people. (I’ve only recently realized the extreme EXTREME struggle I have in expressing emotion. I’ve always considered myself an open person. Sincere, yes. Able to express myself, not so much.)
- In conflict situations, INFPs place little importance on who is right and who is wrong. They focus on the way that the conflict makes them feel, and indeed don’t really care whether or not they’re right. (So true and well put!)
I’ve spent some time reading through the personality profiles of some friends, and already have found myself looking at them differently because I understand WHY they do what they do.
Do you feel like you understand me a little bit better just from this personality snapshot?
What is your personality type and what are some features of that type that stand out in your mind?
22 responses so far ↓
alece // December 12, 2008 at 3:05 pm |
oh man. all this time i thought you were flirting with me.
whatireallywanttosayis // December 12, 2008 at 3:08 pm |
well, with you i actually have been flirting, but we can talk about that later…..
alece // December 12, 2008 at 3:11 pm |
oh good! (butterflies in my tummy!)
daniel // December 12, 2008 at 3:22 pm |
i’m an ENTJ… and i hate personality tests. always have. i’m not sure why.
danielle // December 12, 2008 at 7:00 pm |
this is great. you know i love my personality tests! i’m an ENFJ – we have the same core! :)
i’m so with you on the resisting control even if i was headed that direction. rough.
Sarah // December 12, 2008 at 8:38 pm |
Ok, I took the test, even though I don’t like Carl Jung. I am and IFNJ. Apparently, only like 1% of the population falls into this category. Basically I am a freak of nature. Thanks!
Just kidding. I was really please with what the relationship portion revealed. Very accurate for the most part if I do say so myself.
Check it out.
Sarah // December 12, 2008 at 8:45 pm |
Sorry, that is INFJ…
dave // December 13, 2008 at 12:02 am |
I’m ENFP…no INFP…no ENFP…
actually, every 6-9 months i get on a kick and take another test — and i always flop back and forth between them. craziness.
danielle // December 13, 2008 at 12:22 am |
I took it on that site (and then had Daniel take it for me) and came up ESFP both times. It was the first time I’ve not been ENFJ taking that test, the descriptions matched mostly but the the breakdown by letter was spot on.
So wierd!
annie // December 13, 2008 at 2:29 am |
Well … to be honest I didn’t take the test. That’s because I’m a solid INTP every time I take it. And yes, I did like knowing that about you!! I’m delightedly surprised we’re only one letter away (haha). I’m more introverted, though, as it could be said I’m near the border on that one. I’m not really near the border on any … except perhaps N. That I’d have to look at.
I looked at the snippets of INTP … and then went to the “Wizard” page. The opening paragraph almost made me laugh … it describes me rather well.
Doesn’t that just sound like what my blog is about? lol. The “Personality Page” describes me rather well, I think, too.
Oh, and to Daniel up there … I have met a few ENTJs who have encountered personality tests. They seem to have the same general feeling of distrusting personality tests …. and mostly seem to be suspicious that they took the test wrong. :) So … you fit! That makes folks like us who love personality tests giggle. ;)
Oh, that one about resisting being controlled? I’m right there. And I think that statement just nailed one of the girls I work with. That whole descriptive actually. She’s very genial and easy going – rather gregarious, and loves sympathizing with people. But I discovered tonight that she has a deep drive to not go with the flow … even if she likes the flow. We had a thing called ‘pigtail Friday’ where a number of the girls would wear their hair in pigtails on Fridays. Apparently she loves wearing pigtails, but not when everyone else is making a ‘thing’ about wearing pigtails. :)
Oh, and I completely identify with the ‘avoiding anything like drudgery thing.’ Me and ordinary everyday household tasks? We have a strained relationship. Personally, I’d be happy with a definite degree of distance between us, but for some reason … I find the need for reconciliation shoved in my face most days. :]
K, this is long enough. Can you tell I love personality tests?
whatireallywanttosayis // December 13, 2008 at 10:05 am |
Good stuff. I am going to check out your personality types. I suppose this is where my “genuine interest in people” comes in to play.
There are other regulars we haven’t heard from yet. Keep em coming. Inquiring minds want to know!
@ngie // December 13, 2008 at 2:23 pm |
ISFP – The “Artist”
That is me. They got the description right too.
Evidently my personality traits are similar to those possessed by: Mozart, John Travolta, Steven Spielberg, Doris Day, Liberace, Kevin Costner, Jacquelin Kennedy Onassis, and Ulysses S. Grant.
Thanks for the snapshot about yourself. I do feel as though I know you better.
Merry Christmas!!!
charlenegarrett // December 13, 2008 at 4:04 pm |
I think the last time I took that particular test I was an ENFP…… I do love all slorts of personality stuff and even took a class on it.
And…so…you weren’t flirting with me either??
Oh well…. my bad!
Priscilla // December 13, 2008 at 9:19 pm |
Funny I just did this again too! I am an ENFJ
ENFJ
The Adviser
Extroverted iNtuitive Feeling Judging
Popular and sensitive, with outstanding people skills. Externally focused, with real concern for how others think and feel. Usually dislike being alone. They see everything from the human angle, and dislike impersonal analysis. Very effective at managing people issues, and leading group discussions. Interested in serving others, and probably place the needs of others over their own needs.
alece // December 14, 2008 at 12:38 am |
i came up as ISTJ, which is different than any other time i’ve tested for this… although i can’t remember what i “was”…
Sarah // December 14, 2008 at 12:49 pm |
Daniel is an ESTJ…big shocker!
Jesse // December 14, 2008 at 2:55 pm |
Somebody who is actually the same as mine (Alece) and I did not realize Daniel would be so close, Sarah. I am a ISTJ….This is from a Myers-Briggs test we did last year at work.
Karah // December 14, 2008 at 3:48 pm |
I am an ENFP – like EXTREMELY E and the NFP were very much those things – not much borderline stuff for me. LOL. My husband is the complete opposite of me. HA! Good times, goooood times.
Laura Beth Pomeroy // December 14, 2008 at 11:13 pm |
What the H! what do these mean?…ENFP? ISTJ? ESTJ? ENFJ? I am clearly missing something!
Natalie Jane // December 15, 2008 at 8:37 am |
Laura, you need to take the personality test. There is a link in the very first line of my blog.
I read everyone’s last night, keeping each person in mind. Very interesting. I was surprised on some of them.
You are all so different!
Joy Renée // December 16, 2008 at 4:25 pm |
Mine said INFP, too. Hmm. Curious.
Stephanie // December 19, 2008 at 10:36 pm |
INTJ… The “Strategist”
Very interesting… only 0.5% of women are this.