The MBTI, ENFP, and why these two acronyms are so important.

Disclaimer: those of you who are sick of hearing about this probably should skip this blog entry.

The MBTI, or Meyers-Briggs Type Indicator, is the most accurate personality test known. It basically tests four principles that are in direct opposition to one another. Based on the results, each individual is assigned one of sixteen possible combinations of the principles.

Here's how it works. The first principle tested is Introvert/Extravert. If you are more Introverted (meaning you expend energy being in the presence of others and gain energy being alone), you are given an I, while if you are more Extraverted (meaning you expend energy being alone and gain energy being in the presence of others), you are given an E.

This is true for the other three dichotomous principles

N/S = iNtuitive / Sensing (either rely on intuition or "gut" vs. processing sensory data)
T/F = Thinking / Feeling (either rely on thoughts or feelings to make decisions)
J/P = Judging / Perceiving (either like to have things "settled" or leave options open)

You are given a 4-letter acronym based on the which end of the spectrum you most closely identify with for each of the 4 dichotomies.

Two of my close friends are an ESFJ (Extraverted / Sensing / Feeling / Judging) and an ISTP (Intraverted / Sensing / Feeling / Perceiving) personality. There are sixteen possible combinations, and each one carries its unique methods of dealing with/interpreting the world. My wife is an INTJ.

Why do I mention all of this? The answer lies in the fact that my ENFP personality can explain nearly everything I do on a daily basis. Even my thought processes eerily parallel those of most ENFPs. It's both comforting and disconcerting how similar I am to others with my personality type. While it helps to understand strengths and weaknesses, it also sheds light on some traps that nearly all ENFPs fall into.

Do me a favor and read this, and comment: it describes me perfectly.

http://www.personalitypage.com/ENFP.html

You can clearly see where some of the problems in my life and positive aspects have come from. This is me to a T. I look forward to your comments!