Oh how I LOVE personality tests!!! I believe understanding ourselves and each other is not only useful in our personal relationships, but definitely at work as well. My favorite is the Myers-Briggs. Have you heard of it? It is such an awesome tool. I have about five books analyzing all the types and every aspect of life (just about!). :)
So, I am an INFJ. Below is a rather accurate description of my type (written by David Kiersey). Thank you all for emailing me so often after my blogs...I'd love to be able to respond to you personally (especially about this one). Also, Unfortunately, I could not find a FREE Myers-Briggs test, so if you find one, PLEASE email me (I'll share it ASAP!) :)
P.S. If you actually read about 'me' below, the INFJ. Thank you for your interest....it is actually SO very accurate about me, that's it is a little scary, but I LOVE it. :) Enjoy!!!
Here's the link to the Myers-Briggs:
http://www.knowyourtype.com/
Visionary, Confidant, Counselor, Empath.Suited best for these types of jobs: Consultant, Designer, Entrepreneur, Lawyer/Attorney, Psychologist
Fellow INFJs: "Jimmy" Carter, Mother Teresa of Calcutta, Shirley McClain, U. S. Senator Carol Moseley-Braun (D-IL), Billy Crystal, Nelson Mandela, Mel Gibson, Nicole Kidman, Evangeline Lilly aka "Evie Lilly" or "Kate" on LOST (TV Show)
Only one percent of the population has an INFJ Personality Type, making it the most rare and of all the types. INFJs have an unusually rich inner life: They are gentle, caring, complex, dedicated listeners, and highly intuitive individuals. They are artistic and creative; and live in a world of hidden meanings and possibilities. INFJs are deeply concerned about their relations with individuals as well as the state of humanity at large. They are, in fact, often mistaken for extroverts because they appear so outgoing and are so genuinely interested in people. On the contrary, INFJs are intensely private and true introverts, who can only be emotionally intimate and fulfilled with a chosen few from among their long-term friends, family, or obvious “soul mates.” INFJs often have, without formal training, skills in group dynamics. Almost psychically, they are aware of various levels of interaction between and among people. However, such awareness remains largely their own, and efforts to make these observations known to others can be frustrating to INFJs.. For the INFJ, talk is cheap.
INFJs are fiercely independent and place great importance on having things orderly and systematic in their outer world. They put a lot of energy into identifying the best system for getting things done, and constantly define and re-define the priorities in their lives. On the other hand, INFJs operate within themselves on an intuitive basis, which is entirely spontaneous. They know things intuitively, without being able to pinpoint why, and without detailed knowledge of the subject at hand. They have strong empathic abilities and can become are of another’s emotions or intentions—good or evil—even before that person is conscious of them. They are usually right, and they usually know it. Consequently, INFJs put a tremendous amount of faith into their instincts and intuitions. They trust their intuitive insights, regardless of established authority or popularly accepted beliefs. Problems only stimulate them—the impossible takes a little longer, but not much. One would do well not to underestimate the amount of perseverance, energy, and time INFJs give to their priorities. What they do, they do with an almost religious intensity.
The INFJ external environment may be only partially organized. (like my desk, my car, my schedule…) Their internal environment, by contrast, is anything but haphazard. Their ideas need to fit into a coherent whole that has the pieces in place. Organization of the internal world takes precedence over organization of external world.
INFJs have uncanny insight into people and situations. They get "feelings" about things and intuitively understand them. As an extreme example, some INFJs report experiences of a psychic nature, such as getting strong feelings about there being a problem with a loved one, and discovering later that they were in a car accident. This is the sort of thing that other types may scorn and scoff at, and the INFJ themself does not really understand their intuition at a level which can be verbalized. Consequently, most INFJs are protective of their inner selves, sharing only what they choose to share when they choose to share it. They are deep, complex individuals, who are quite private and typically difficult to understand. INFJs hold back part of themselves, and can be secretive.
But the INFJ is as genuinely warm and loving as they are complex. INFJs hold a special place in the heart of people who they are close to, who are able to see their special gifts and depth of caring. INFJs are concerned for people's feelings, and try to be gentle to avoid hurting anyone. They are very sensitive to conflict, especially family conflict, and cannot tolerate it very well. Situations which are charged with conflict may drive the normally peaceful INFJ into a state of agitation or charged anger. They may tend to internalize conflict into their bodies, and experience health problems when under a lot of stress.
Because the INFJ has such strong intuitive capabilities, they trust their own instincts above all else. This may result in an INFJ stubborness and tendency to ignore other people's opinions. They believe that they're right. On the other hand, INFJ is a true perfectionist who doubts that they are living up to their full potential. INFJs are rarely at complete peace with themselves - there's always something else they should be doing to improve themselves and the world around them. They believe in constant growth, and don't often take time to revel in their accomplishments. They have strong value systems, and need to live their lives in accordance with what they feel is right. INFJs are in some ways easy going. Conversely, they have very high expectations of themselves, and they don't believe in compromising their ideals.
INFJ is a natural nurturer; patient, devoted and protective. They make loving and fiercely devoted spouses and parents and usually have strong bonds with their offspring. For INFJs, 'still waters run deep.' They tend to become attracted to someone special and prefer this one deep relationship over many superficial ones. Usually an INFJ will have an extraverted mate.
INFJs have a knack for fluency in language and facility in communication. They are “masters of the metaphor,” and the most poetic of all types. Their friendship circle is likely to be small, deep, and longstanding.
