Your Personality Type Is DYNAMIC, Not Definitive

Many of us have not only heard of the 16 Myers-Briggs personality types, but taken the Myers-Briggs Indicator Assessment to see which category we, personally, fall under. The Myers-Briggs theory provides a way of exploring our personal ways of INTERACTING with the world and others. It also serves as a guide for exploring the HEALTHY differences that exist between each of us. By understanding these differences, we have the POTENTIAL to enhance our personal development and strengthen our ability to interact with others in a more positive way.

This theory says that people have specific differences in HOW they DIRECT and RECEIVE energy, TAKE IN information and SETTLE ON decisions. It focuses on psychological factors and the individual PREFERENCES we have in terms of engaging with the world and the people around us. These preferences are simply that: preferences. They tell us how we PREFER to do something, but they are NOT meant to limit us, nor do they determine how we will BEHAVE in a given situation. They do, however, offer INSIGHTS on our natural strengths, potential challenges, and even our learning and communication styles.

With this in mind, it is important to remember that we don’t always ACT on our preferences. We have the ability to CHOOSE to do something that makes sense, EVEN IF we prefer not to.

There are eight types of “pair” preferences. In each, we are more inclined towards one of the two traits, yet we use BOTH every day. These preferences that we have come naturally and don’t require us to learn them. While we use all eight pairs, in varying amounts, there is likely to be one that is more DOMINANT, almost in an involuntary fashion. Continually using our opposite, or non-preferred, preferences would require additional focus and effort that is not only draining but leaves us exhausted. As a result of this, our work and interactions would SUFFER dramatically.

Knowing our unique preferences allows us to be more INTENTIONAL about using them, and not using them. It has the power to REVEAL to us our gifts and our pitfalls, helping us see when it makes more sense to approach a situation or interaction in a different light.

The eight types of Myers-Briggs preferences include extroversion or introversion, sensing or intuition, thinking or feeling, and judging or perceiving. There are 16 possible combinations of preferences and personality types, and just because we having a predominant type doesn’t mean that we shouldn’t experience, or visit, the others. Depending on the moment, we choose the type that is most logical and suited for that specific task or circumstance.

Each pair has a particular focus, making it distinct from the other pairs. There are two worlds with which we engage in and encounter: the OUTER world and the INNER world. The outer world is where we engage with people and places, while the inner world focuses on our own thoughts, ideas and reflections. We all take part in BOTH worlds, though one will be a world we prefer and ENERGIZES us.

The extroversion-introversion pair focuses on our preferred way to direct and receive ENERGY. If we prefer EXTROVERSION, it is the outer world that energizes us. Extroverts prefer talking to others, going to events, seeing old friends and meeting new people, verbalizing ideas and talking to strangers. If we prefer INTROVERSION, it is the inner world that energizes us. Introverts prefer inward reflection, pondering thoughts and ideas silently, spending time alone, and recharging before connecting with others.

The sensing-intuition pair consists of our preferred way to take in INFORMATION. If we prefer SENSING, we take in information through the five senses. Sensitive people tend to be grounded in reality, are present in the here and now, pay attention to the specifics, are good at remembering details from the past, and take in all the practical information that can be verified through their senses. Opposingly, if we prefer INTUITION, we take in information through the imagination and possibilities. Intuitive people are future-oriented, acquire information using their inspirations, listen to their gut feelings, and like to focus on what could be, not necessarily what is.

The thinking-feeling pair describes our preferred way to make DECISIONS. If we prefer THINKING, we make decisions by logically analyzing a situation. Thinkers like to take a step back, look at the big-picture, weigh the pros and cons, give direct feedback, and they value competence and asking questions when attempting to find the answers. Moreover, if we prefer FEELING, we make choices based on values, weighing the impact decisions have on the other people involved. Feelers use empathy and compassion to "step into" a situation and take each individual’s circumstances into account. It is important to them that each person is treated as an individual and that decisions are “one-size-fits-all," even if it may not be realistic to treat them as such.

The judging-perceiving pair tells us our preferred way of approaching the OUTSIDE world. If we prefer JUDGING, we interact with the outer world in a more structured and orderly fashion. Judgers tend to look around to see where decisions need to be made. They like to be organized, have and follow a plan, and find last minute changes to be stressful. In contrast, if we prefer PERCEIVING, we interact with the outer world in a casual, more spontaneous way. Perceivers like to look around and see possibilities to explore, want to keep options open, and avoid deciding until the last moment, in the case that new information should arise. For them switching things up or changing plans last minute is fun and exciting.

As I mentioned, an awareness of your preferences will not only show you where you excel, but provides a STARTING point to understanding our blindspots, along with our inherent motivations and influences. Finding your personality type is NOT meant to be a form of limitation or serve as a label. Your preferences shouldn’t be interpreted as BLACK or WHITE, but rather a grey area that is EVER-CHANGING. How you behave in any given situation or interaction is ADAPTABLE and you have the ability to CHOOSE how you respond.

If you are interested in increasing your own awareness and taking the Myers-Briggs Indicator Assessment you can do so using the following link: https://www.16personalities.com/free-personality-test.

Regardless of your personality type and individual preferences, REMEMBER that you are the ONLY you that exists, and THAT is something worth CELEBRATING.

Xx, Leah Kutsch P.S. Keeping IIN Touch