Personality Tests — How Valuable Are They?
If you and I have spent time together we have probably talked about the Myers-Briggs Personality test. I am passionate about this exam. I believe knowing your personality type can help you in a variety of ways. Here are a few reasons why everyone should at least take the test:
- Strengths and weaknesses. We all have them, and we all need to hone ’em and own ’em. Knowing what you are good at and what you stink at can only help you. Mastering your strengths releases you from the pressure to perform according to social rules. Contrarily, identifying your weaknesses can help you relate to and impact a broader scope of people.
- Career choice. A personality test cannot decide your career for you, but it might provide insight into fields that interest you. I am an INTJ. What do we love to do? Create and build systems. Taking the test helped me to understand how it is that I am both logical and creative. Usually, those two qualities don’t cohabitate.
- Friendships/Romance. Knowing your type helps you understand the way you think and why. This means that you will have a better understanding of your capabilities socially and romantically. For example, after taking a couple test I discovered that INTJs like to have a few close friends and struggle more than any type romantically (lucky me). Discovering these two insights freed me up to comfortably have a limited number of close confidants and to take my time finding romance.
- Hobbies. I started blogging because I discovered I like to write and I love to create. The MBTI helped point me to activities that might be internally fulfilling. Building a website from the ground up and creating content to go on it meshed with my architect mentality.
These are just a few of the benefits. If you take the test for yourself, I think you will find it to be helpful. I recommend taking it at 16personalities.com. It is the most consistent and accurate of all the providers and separates types into two categories: “Assertive” or “Turbulent.”
Check back in with me next time as I break down how the test helped me as a rare personality type.
If you take the test and have any questions, leave a comment and I will do my best to help you.
