Confound It!

This is too weird. My monthly stats on my homepage indicate visit and visitor increases this morning over yesterday. But my daily and weekly stats do not reflect that.

Yes, I tend to obsess over small details like this sometimes. It’s the INFJ in me.

For people who don’t know, INFJ is one of the 16 personality types as measured by the Myers-Briggs assessment—the rarest of the types. Supposedly, INFJs account for less than 1% of the world’s population. Heh heh heh, I’m, like, different, and stuff. But if you’re reading this all the way through, or have read any of my other posts, you probably already know that.

If you’ve never taken the Myers-Briggs, I highly recommend it. It’s fun…what, it is! INFJs like taking these types of tests, though. And it’s quite accurate. Usually, you’re asked something like 70 questions where you have to choose between two statements, the one that sounds more like you. Although I’ve also taken it with a Likert scale design (and still gotten the same result as always).

Derek thinks I’m a nut, but this kind of thing really fascinates me. The first time I took the test I was at the career center in college, but I’ve taken it a dozen more times since, sometimes for jobs, sometimes just for shits and giggles. It’s supposed to always come out pretty much the same and for me, at least, it does.

INFJs are “I” for Introvert, “N” for iNtuitive, “F” for Feeling, and “J” for Judging.

So the “I” is an obvious one. You either lean more toward introvert or extrovert (“E”). In my case, I’ve always been introverted.

“N,” iNtuitive (vs. “S” for Sensing) means I tend to be extra specially intuitive, and lead with my gut, rather than what I can see, hear, touch, etc., which is also very true. I often know things without knowing how I know them, can’t necessarily explain it.

“F” for Feeling (vs. T-Thinking) means I tend to make emotion-based rather than thought-based decisions, particularly important decisions.

“J” is for Judging (vs. P-Perceiving). The “J” does not mean judgmental. It means I have a preference or need for order in my external world: structure. Again, definitely me. I can’t relax or concentrate in a messy environment. I just spent 2 1/2 hours cleaning and organizing my kitchen.

Famous INFJs include Nelson Mandela, MLK, and Jerry Seinfeld. They’re known for being highly creative, imaginative, and sensitive to criticism. I guess they also have a tendency for burnout: case in point, my career change from teacher to writer. Side note, though: INFJs can make great teachers or writers.

INFJs are known for their very close relationships with their children and are (frequently) acutely attuned parents. Of course, I’m not suggesting that’s not the case with parents with any of the 15 other personality types; it’s just what I’ve read.

Some sites also pair archetypes in certain situations, which you would probably have to take with a grain of salt, but are nevertheless fascinating. For example, INFJs and ENFPs are supposed to be especially drawn to each other romantically and highly compatible. This is based on the “opposites attract” theory, I think. It must be. Although the NF components are the same.

There’s a ton of information out there that I haven’t even close to covered on the personality types. Just Google Myers-Briggs. You can take the test on line, too. If you’re not sure about what you want to do with your life, which career direction to take, and so on, the Myers-Briggs is a good starting point.