Monday, September 9: Take this short personality test and respond to your results.

Today we took a personality test and responded to the results. The test is based on Carl Jung’s and Isabel Briggs Myers’ typological approach to personality. I have studied Jung and am aware of Myer Briggs’ Personality tests.

However, I haven’t done a test like this for years and I know a lot has changed for me. I have added my thoughts on the first section in bold – I did the second part (CAREER CHOICE) for my own benefit as I fill the gap between jobs at the moment!

ENFJ

Extravert(44%) iNtuitive(50%) Feeling(62%) Judging(33%)

You have moderate preference of Extraversion over Introversion (44%)
You have moderate preference of Intuition over Sensing (50%)
You have distinctive preference of Feeling over Thinking (62%)
You have moderate preference of Judging over Perceiving (33%)

I had no idea I was listening to my intuitive voice so well, wisdom and age and all that! I think I was a J before when I took the test in my 20s, I am aware of how much some of my answers have changed!

SELF-AWARENESS

Extraverted iNtuitive Feeling Judging by Joe Butt

Profile: ENFJ Revision: 3.0 Date of Revision: 23 Feb 2005

ENFJs are the benevolent ‘pedagogues’ of humanity. They have tremendous charisma by which many are drawn into their nurturant tutelage and/or grand schemes. Many ENFJs have tremendous power to manipulate others with their phenomenal interpersonal skills and unique salesmanship. But it’s usually not meant as manipulation — ENFJs generally believe in their dreams, and see themselves as helpers and enablers, which they usually are.

ENFJs are global learners. They see the big picture. The ENFJs focus is expansive. Some can juggle an amazing number of responsibilities or projects simultaneously. Many ENFJs have tremendous entrepreneurial ability.

ENFJs are, by definition, Js, with whom we associate organization and decisiveness. But they don’t resemble the SJs or even the NTJs in organization of the environment nor occasional recalcitrance. ENFJs are organized in the arena of interpersonal affairs. Their offices may or may not be cluttered, but their conclusions (reached through feelings) about people and motives are drawn much more quickly and are more resilient than those of their NFP counterparts.

ENFJs know and appreciate people. Like most NFs, (and Feelers in general), they are apt to neglect themselves and their own needs for the needs of others. They have thinner psychological boundaries than most, and are at risk for being hurt or even abused by less sensitive people. ENFJs often take on more of the burdens of others than they can bear.

Helpers and Enablers,

– I agree –

even when I don’t particularly want to, I help others. I struggle to write a story so I switch my mind to writing HOW TO – HELP articles on short story writing to help others. I help others rather than focusing on myself. A birthday party last year that went completely wrong, I stayed with the mothers and entertained the kids, relieved some of their stress and took their minds off the negatives, actually what I wanted to do was go to the bar with the guys and drink beer. (That’s why I had paid for a taxi and not driven!)

My first website helped the writing community.

I retrained as a life coach.

I teach/ educate/ nurture and within that mentor staff.

I have provided muse that has enabled others to become successful!

Some can juggle an amazing number of responsibilities or projects simultaneously.

– I agree –

read any SOLC post! 😉

they are apt to neglect themselves and their own needs for the needs of others.

-I agree-

and we are sensitive and do get hurt and abused by less sensitive people.

TRADEMARK: “The first shall be last”

This refers to the open-door policy of ENFJs. One ENFJ colleague always welcomes me into his office regardless of his own circumstances. If another person comes to the door, he allows them to interrupt our conversation with their need. While discussing that need, the phone rings and he stops to answer it. Others drop in with a ‘quick question.’ I finally get up, go to my office and use the call waiting feature on the telephone. When he hangs up, I have his undivided attention!

Functional Analysis:

Extraverted Feeling

Extraverted Feeling rules the ENFJ’s psyche. In the sway of this rational function, these folks are predisposed to closure in matters pertaining to people, and especially on behalf of their beloved. As extraverts, their contacts are wide ranging. Face-to-face relationships are intense, personable and warm, though they may be so infrequently achieved that intimate friendships are rare.

Introverted iNtuition

Like their INFJ cousins, ENFJs are blessed through introverted intuition with clarity of perception in the inner, unconscious world. (ABSOLUTELY!) Dominant Feeling prefers to find the silver lining in even the most beggarly perceptions of those in their expanding circle of friends and, of course, in themselves. In less balanced individuals, such mitigation of the unseemly eventually undermines the ENFJ’s integrity and frequently their good name. In healthier individuals, deft use of this awareness of the inner needs and desires of others enables this astute type to win friends, influence people, and avoid compromising entanglements.

The dynamic nature of their intuition moves ENFJs from one project to another with the assurance that the next one will be perfect, or much more nearly so than the last. ENFJs are continually looking for newer and better solutions to benefit their extensive family, staff, or organization.

Extraverted Sensing

Sensing is extraverted. ENFJs can manage details, particularly those necessary to implement the prevailing vision. These data have, however, a magical flexible quality. Something to be bought can be had for a song; the same something is invaluable when it’s time to sell. (We are not certain, but we suspect that such is the influence of the primary function.) This wavering of sensory perception is made possible by the weaker and less mature status with which the tertiary is endowed.

Introverted Thinking

Introverted Thinking is least apparent and most enigmatic in this type. In fact, it often appears only when summoned by Feeling. At times only in jest, but in earnest if need be, Thinking entertains as logical only those conclusions which support Feeling’s values. Other scenarios can be shown invalid or at best significantly inferior. Such “Thinking in the service of Feeling” has the appearance of logic, but somehow it never quite adds up.

Introverted Thinking is frequently the focus of the spiritual quest of ENFJs. David’s lengthiest psalm, 119, pays it homage. “Law,” “precept,” “commandment,” “statute:” these essences of inner thinking are the mysteries of Deity for which this great Feeler’s soul searched.

Famous ENFJs:

David, King of Israel U.S. Presidents: Abraham Lincoln Ronald Reagan Barack Obama
William Cullen Bryant, poet Abraham Maslow, psychologist and proponent of self-actualization Ross Perot Sean Connery Elizabeth Dole Francois Mitterand Dick Van Dyke Andy Griffith James Garner William Aramony, former president of United Way Gene Hackman (Superman, Antz) Dennis Hopper (Speed) Brenda Vaccaro Craig T. Nelson (Coach) Diane Sawyer (Good Morning America) Randy Quaid (Bye Bye, Love; Independence Day) Tommy Lee Jones (The Fugitive) Kirstie Alley (“Cheers,” Look Who’s Talking movies) Michael Jordan, NBA basketball player Johnny Depp (Pirates of the Caribbean) Oprah Winfrey Bob Saget America’s Funniest Home Videos, Full House Julia Louis-Dreyfus (“Seinfeld”) Ben Stiller (The Royal Tenenbaums) Peyton Manning, Indianapolis Colts quarterback Matthew McConaughey (The Wedding Planner) Pete Sampras, Tennis Champion Lauren Graham (“Gilmore Girls”) Ben Affleck (The Sum Of All Fears) John Cusack (High Fidelity)

I feel honoured to have the same inner make-up as Johnny Depp, Pete Sampras, Sean Connery and Oprah! Wow… now just got to tap it!

CAREER CHOICES FOR YOUR TYPE

ENFJs often find themselves in occupations that require good interpersonal skills to establish productive collaboration as well as to establish or maintain effective work process. ENFJs one of the most “universal” personality types and they build successful careers in a broad range of organizations and occupations. There are many ENFJs found among mid- and high-rank management roles. Sales, various social services, counseling, teaching, healthcare, community care as well as legal and paralegal services are just some of the examples of favourable occupations for ENFJs.

JCI Jung Career Indicator™ determines occupations and areas in which ENFJs find themselves most fulfilled and content, are most successful, and therefore are most represented in. Based on your personality type, the following is a list of the most suitable areas of occupations along with some examples of educational institutions, where you can receive a relevant degree or training.

The list included Education and Management.

Famous Personalities Sharing Your Type

Bill Clinton, the 42nd President of the United States
Tony Blair, the Prime Minister of Great Britain from 1997 to 2007
Clara Barton, the founder of the American Red Cross
Ronald Reagan, the 40th President of the United States

This will be why at the age of 12, I wanted to be the Prime Minister. In fact (possibly due to the 44% Extrovert )- I recall standing on a table in the middle of a lesson (and I was not a rebel! I just wanted attention and the teacher had slipped out), and declaring my intention.

Well that was an interesting Blog prompt for me – hope you enjoyed the insight. If you want to take the test use the link next to the Blogtember icon at the top of this post.

Armed with my polar coffee cup (yes, it has made a re-appearance minus the lid, which I need to find as it’s not really ‘polar’ without it!) I sit down and look at my writing action plan, promising myself not to beat myself up.

I am behind. Maybe 4 or 5 days behind. It looks bad. It seems like I will never catch up, so I copy and paste the week into a new document and delete everything I have done. This leaves me with just 5 things, that’s not so bad, no reason why I can’t research them all in one morning. I spent the whole day researching yesterday. I can do it!

I realise that pretty soon I am going to have to commit hours of my life to work and won’t have the freedom or time to write this way. (Like a proper writer who makes a living by writing. I am at least going through the motions, there is no income at present.)

I decide to commit this day to catching up and working (writing), peppered with a few household chores.

I know it is a mistake to start on the internet – I may not have the discipline to complete my research without a quick blog visit and that will eat into my creative time. I will stand firm and like proper writers, schedule my blogging time for later in the day, after I have produced some work.

I have struggled to find decent freelance opportunities so far this year. Everything I find seems to have a catch of some sort. Last night I thought I had found it – but it turned out to be a heavily disguised survey site and the £2.24 (advertised at £25 assignments) I have banked is probably nothing compared to the money now changing hands for my address and contact details!

Do we have anything like Craigslist for the UK market? I have found reputable websites but they all charge to join, which is great if you make some money, but my Excel finance sheets (that keep me up to date with my writing outgoings) show there have been no incoming monies. I am out of pocket, quite a big, deep pocket.

I will not lose faith, in the bigger scheme of things I haven’t actually accomplished the big writing yet. I haven’t reworked or resubmitted any rejected writing (and there’s a whole bank) and I still haven’t focused on compiling the manuscript I have my heart set on first.

I have dipped my toes and heart back into the waters surrounding this wonderful island called DREAM and I will keep on believing. I am not yet a year in and we are working on the principle of three Olympics. It will be fine.

Trying to keep my mind in the present to accomplish what is left of my catch up action plan is proving to be a little more difficult. I write a list and then start working towards ticking off as much as I can before lunch time!

(Now I understand why some writers (who can afford it) rent office space!) Funnily enough I walked past the perfect rental a few weeks ago at the bottom of town. Cute place, green door, big window, old brickwork, it looks like a cottage. Lovely.

And an hour after I started I have made it out of the folders, ebooks and writing programmes and am now ACTUALLY writing. My current short story project is meant to be in Draft 1 form today (according to my action plan) 6000 words done. As yet I have just mapped out and researched, I realise I don’t know enough about the subject matter. So have changed my idea entirely.

Still I have written a dialogue between 2 main characters and written random sections for an hour now.

So after 2 hours writing it is time for a break… in Blogland, I am going to see if I can inspire my creative juices by taking part in some of the writing challenges and daily post activities. Always good foundation work for any struggling writer.

I justify the first hour online by signing up for some Telesummit on creative careers and finding lots of writing resources and interview links on the OU (Open University) website. (I haven’t yet done a writing challenge!)

I know how to write a short story, but in an effort to form my ideas, I look to the experts. I am going offline to read some short stories now and won’t be back online until I have formulated my story plan and done some chores!

I may just do a writing challenge before I log off…