On Personality Tests and Excuses

Being a psychology major is so much fun. In fact, next semester, I get to administer a whole stream of tests to find out a whole lot more about myself than I am probably ready for (nonetheless, I am STOKED). However, there is one personality test out there that is fairly universal, and the majority of my generation seems to be fairly excited (if not obsessed) about. Perhaps you have heard of it: The Myers-Briggs Type Indicator.

In case you have yet to hear of it, it is a personality test that asks you a series of questions (the legitimate test one pays for is a rather large sum of questions). Your answers to these questions are analyzed and produce results regarding your introversion (I) or extroversion (E) levels, sensing (S) or intuition (N) levels, thinking (T) or feeling (F) levels, and judging (J) or perceiving (P) levels. As noted in the parenthesis, each word has a corresponding letter. There are four letters assigned to whoever finishes the test, providing the ability to have 16 different sets of results.

Based on your results, you can read up on your "personality type." It is helpful in understanding other people, as well as yourself. The results tend to be at least somewhat accurate, if not encompassing a lot of who you are into a few short paragraphs. I have taken the test several times, and even when I decide to answer a little differently than normal, Myers-Briggs never fails to give me the same results of ISFJ. I am an introverted, sensing, feeling, and judging personality type, which just so happens to be the most common personality type out there in terms of Myers-Briggs personality types.

I take a lot of pride in my personality. I like knowing that, as an ISFJ, I feel burnt out a lot for a reason. It helps me to calm down when I realize how much I care about others; though it is something I love doing, understanding this about myself allows me to force taking some time for myself. This is only one example of many in regards to how this test has helped me better understand myself.

However, sometimes I think I (as well as so many others) take these test results to the extreme. Instead of using the results to balance ourselves out between extroversion and introversion, we teeter completely to the introverted side using the excuse of "I'm an introvert, so it is okay to ignore them," or "I'm an extrovert, so taking time for myself isn't an option" (sorry extroverts if that isn't an issue you deal with--I really try and understand!). Either perception you have of yourself, you are probably going to give into it, allowing more margin for that specific trait in your life.

I guess to sum this all up (because if it is too long, in a moment of honesty, who would read it?), my point is that you can't take test results and apply them to your life and become them. They help you understand your weak areas as well as your strong. It is not bad to be introverted or extroverted. What is bad is using the label as an excuse or allowing the trait to develop laziness in your life. For a quick, personal example, I for one have used the excuse of being an introvert not to take time for someone who was in need. I did not help them with their question. I did not even say hello when they so obviously were waiting for acknowledgement. I used the excuse to myself that I am an introvert, so that person can find an extrovert who wants to help or at least say something to me first.

Owning your personality is one thing, but hiding behind it is something completely different. Allow the weakness to open up as areas of growth in your life. I know I want to change for the better, and perhaps learning to balance introversion and extroversion is healthier than teetering to one side or the other. We all need people, and we all need alone time, just the same. I want to be sensing and intuitive, thinking and feeling, perceiving and judging. Sometimes, all it takes is accepting who you are, and then choosing to grow into what you are yet to be.  One must rise to the occasion instead of using excuses. I know I want to rise to the occasion and use the personality God gave me to bless the world. However, I also do not want the enemy to grab a hold of the beautiful personality God gave me specifically and make it something less than what it was intended for.

So, as always, be blessed! Take charge of your personality--don't let it keep you from greatness!

Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect. - Romans 12:2