My Temperament is Idealist. I am an ENFP. That makes me a Champion Idealist?

After reading Liz's post on her results from a personality test, I took the test again myself (wondering if I had changed from an extrovert to an introvert: and the answer is no, but probably because I want to be an extrovert so I will always test out that way) I spent a long time writing this post about how I love personality tests and why, which lead me to do a lot of psych-related reading on the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator on Wikipedia. Then I wrote about how I miss college and though I am enjoying the Montessori training as it's helping me become a better teacher, it just doesn't compare. And a bunch of other things.

But my computer found it all too boring, apparently and promptly froze and ate my post. I wrote about some other things earlier today and that's gone forever too. So I guess those thoughts just won't go down in history. Too bad.

I will still post what Wikipedia says about my personality type though. Since it's related to that sentiment about school. I have posted bits that are very similar before, but different things stand out to me at different periods. Nearly all of it I agree with (I hope it's not the Forer effect) but I've highlighted the parts that I noticed the most i.e. is most relevant to my current thoughts and situation.

ENFPs are initiators of change who are keenly perceptive of possibilities, and who energize and stimulate through their contagious enthusiasm. They prefer the start-up phase of a project or relationship (I have noticed that and blogged about it previously), and are tireless in the pursuit of new-found interests (does that mean we've all got ADD?). ENFPs are able to anticipate the needs of others and to offer them needed help and appreciation. They bring zest, joy, liveliness, and fun to all aspects of their lives. They are at their best in situations that are fluid and changing, and that allow them to express their creativity and use their charisma. (I don't know about the anticipating needs things or creativity and charisma, but I do thrive on change)

Learning

ENFPs often learn best through a variety of means, such as observing, reading, and listening to and interacting with others. They enjoy the search for new ideas and possibilities, and will put in the time necessary to master subjects they find interesting. One strength is their enthusiasm for the process of discovery. They enjoy survey courses, comparative studies, and disciplines in which there is much to research and explore (like psychology). They do not like classes that are too structured, that consist only of lectures, and that allow no room for their imagination. They may get caught up in the learning process and consequently need strict deadlines to bring a project to completion. (All too true)

ENFPs prefer a learning environment in which the teacher takes personal interest in them, in which there is an opportunity to talk about ideas with their peers, and in which there is a chance to ask questions and develop new ideas.

A motto that might describe the ENFP as a learner is "There's always another way or another answer."

Career

ENFPs often follow a nonlinear career track and nontraditional routes to obtaining knowledge, qualifications, and skills (can you spell I-am-working-in-China-and-I-don't-have-my-degree-yet?). When they are committed to what they do, they are enthusiastic to the point of preaching to the entire world about it (yep). For an ENFP, work must be fun and must contribute to something larger than merely collecting a paycheck (I thought this was true for everyone).

The preferred work setting for ENFPs contains imaginative people focused on human possibilities. ENFPs want a work environment that is both physically and mentally colorful. They prefer a participative and collegial atmosphere in which employees are included in the decision making. ENFPs are less productive where there is disharmony because they pay more attention to the relationships between people at work than they do to the tasks (yes, actually. I've already been involved in a couple of rather large conflict resolutions at work) Their ideal job would offer variety, novelty, challenge, and freedom from tight supervision; it would be idea oriented and imaginative, and would have lively, energetic people enjoying themselves and their tasks.

Most ENFPs will say they are organized (never have I claimed to be organized), but others might not see them that way. Their desire to be open to the moment tends to outweigh their need to be organized. Usually ENFP work space is arranged haphazardly, with work materials and personal momentos scattered about. In terms of the management of time, ENFPs find it particularly difficult to estimate accurately how long an activity will take. Because people's needs are more important than schedules, ENFPs are often late and characteristically full of apologies for their tardiness. (Consider this my one large apology to you all. And boy, writing this blog is taking way longer than I thought it would)

ENFPs prefer occupations that reflect their ideals and that promote harmonious relationships with others. They tend to be attracted to occupations with a service orientation. ENFPs usually find a place in their work life for creativity. They particularly enjoy people-oriented work in which they are able to combine things in new and different ways to benefit humanity. Flexibility and autonomy are important to ENFPs, who may bolt from organizations in which this is not attainable.

Common occupations picked by ENFPs include artist, clergy, consultant, counselor, entertainer, journalist, public relations worker, social scientist, social worker, teacher, and other occupations that allow ENFPs to use their creativity and insight.

Relationships

For ENFPs, loving is an almost constant state. They are generally involved or in love with someone or something new. ENFPs may have originated the quotation "All the world loves a lover." When falling in love, they explore all the new possibilities in the relationship, and the new person is studied in every way. The ENFP tends to idealize his or her current relationship and will often say that their current one is "the best ever."

It might be argued that each type, when first in love, resembles a garden-variety ENFP, because ENFPs normally behave like people in love (wow. That makes so much sense). Some of the cultural cliches about falling in love - such as "Falling in love with love," "Head over heels in love," "Love is blind," "All the world loves a lover," and "Throw caution to the wind" - seem to apply to the ENFP. This same boundless affection can be showered upon friends, co-workers, and others. People often feel unconditionally loved by ENFPs, but over time many of these relationships dissipate, as in "When I'm not near the ones I love, I love the ones I'm near." (I usually say "Out of sight, out of mind")

ENFPs are delightful, enthusiastic partners who are young in spirit; there is rarely a dull moment with them. They readily note their partner's best aspects. They may overlook obvious details and facts about their partners that might cause other types to be more cautious. As relationships progress, ENFPs romanticise their partners and make strong efforts to rationalize any discrepancy between the reality and their "ideal."

When they are in love, they may either overcommit and ignore any unpleasant yet true facts; or they may undercommit, believing that there may be a better love "just around the corner." Therefore, ENFPs may be seen as fickle in their relationships as they search for the "right one."

When and if the flaws in the relationship become too obvious to ENFPs, they may admit defeat, feeling great pain because they have put so much energy into perfecting a particular relationship. When ENFPs are scorned, they overgeneralize about their partners' worst faults. Because ENFPs thrive on new possibilities, when they fall out of love, they rebound quickly. (But I've been working on it. And I haven't rebounded. Hurrah!)

So that was the Wikipedia one. There are more. Tons more. But I suppose they all say about the same thing in different ways.

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

I really liked the list of possible career paths for ENFPs I found:

• Consultant
• Psychologist
• Entrepreneur
• Actor
• Teacher
• Counselor
• Politician / Diplomat
• Writer / Journalist
• Television Reporter
• Computer Programmer, Systems Analyst, or Computer Specialist
• Scientist
• Engineer

It ties in nearly all the careers that I had been (and still am) interested in and thought to be completely unrelated. Do you know what my ideal job is? Don't laugh ok? It's to be TV show host, wait there's more: one that deals with relationships. But I want to do it as a psychologist. One who is like a consultant. You know how there are business consultants who go to companies and observe and research and then offer ideas and training to fix problems and improve the company? I want to do that with families. Go to families that are falling apart, observe, offer counseling, teach them good communication skills etc. If possible, add a reality TV feel to it i.e. follow them around with cameras so we make their struggles public, put it on a show, interview them on it after the fact. Commercials pay for my efforts (business idea). They get free counseling and struggle through having the world see their problems, but at the same time find release in being completely honest with themselves and the world. Other people watching benefit from seeing their same problems in someone else's home. I write books - or lots of blog posts - with my knowledge and experience. I become famous.

Then I use my influence to do something in politics to make a bigger difference. All the while married to a computer programmer who keeps the geek in me alive. And we swing dance together.

I have never, ever thought of being an engineer. A scientist, yes, when I was much younger. But those are the only 2 things that I felt didn't belong.


Here's what I would like: to have all my friends know what personality type they are according to this breakdown. For me to find out, and have a better framework for psychoanalyzing them from now on (hey, I'm going to psychoanalyze you regardless, might as well help me do it more accurately).

For me to have a better understanding of compatibility between types (there's got to be something I can read about that somewhere!) and apply it when analyzing newfound crush/love interest. That would be a pretty handy tool.

Well. Finally, a post that got completed and a looooong one at that. Now it's time to stop thinking and writing about myself and go to bed. Blogging is bad for me in so many ways. I'm sure it has multiplied my self-centeredness. I've already had a good number of conversations about how I always talk about myself now.

But I'll save blogging about how I am self-centered for another day.