“Who am I?” a question we’ve all asked ourselves. Personality presents this age-old question, a complex subject with layers society has spent centuries puzzling over, only for a seemingly magical framework, the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator, to be created in 1944. The MBTI allows us today to take a half-hour test and suddenly unlock a world where we feel validated in our quirks, empowered to work on our weaknesses, and guided by resources to do so. Through introspection and personality insight, we are fostering self-awareness, building empathy for others, and learning strategies for reaching our goals.
When I found out my personality type in sixth grade Health, I felt a mixture of validation, connection, and understanding. I soon went down a rabbit hole of researching the other types, their traits, strengths and weaknesses, among other things. Being a nerd in one of the weirdest ways (I enjoy and spend way too much time analyzing my own and others’ emotions, opinions, behaviors and characters), I adored the idea that there could be a structure as simple as this to help people understand one another, because most people lacking empathy don’t understand any ways of being other than their own.
Of course, there are as many personalities as people, and none can be defined in such a linear way. Personalities change with life experiences, so you won’t be the same person you are now in ten years. However, there are certain characteristics that are more likely to remain constant. The Myers-Briggs Type Indicator assesses you on four subjects, each of which corresponds to two common possibilities:
How you gain energy
Mental energy is essential for anything, from taking out the trash to socializing with friends. In general, there are two ways most people recharge: through their internal world (introversion) or through their external surroundings (extroversion). The letter of your personality type will be an I or an E, reflecting where your energy is directed. Remember that how your energy bar is replenished does not necessarily reflect your leaning toward either solitude or company.
How you process information
This section explains how people automatically gather information: through physical sensations (sensing) or through “gut feelings”, patterns and possibilities (intuitive). These attributes correspond to an S or an N (given that I is used to mean introversion).
How you make decisions
Decision-making is a major aspect of your personality, reflecting your values and shaping your actions. People with a T (thinking) typically favor logic and analysis with a penchant for objectively weighing pros and cons, whereas those with an F (feeling) are deeply considerate people and base their decisions on the emotional impact on others and their own moral compass.
How you approach structure
Somebody who is judging (J) when it comes to structure enjoys organization and closure, preferring to have plans, checklists, and calendars laid out, and get their work done on time (though they can still struggle with organization…ahem). In contrast, people with a P (standing for perceiving) in its place are happy with an open schedule and feel free and flexible without a strict structure to their lives.
Confidence and reactions
The final two, A (assertive) and T (turbulent), are additions to the MBTI spectrum introduced by 16Personalities, not Katharine Briggs and Isabel Myers themselves. To make this distinction, the last letter is separated by a dash (-). Assertive individuals are laid back, easygoing, and not prone to crumbling under stress or anxiety (completely different from apathy). They are not too bothered by mistakes and are largely self-confident. On the flip side, turbulent people (like myself) are inclined to be more anxious and self-doubting perfectionists. This makes them hard workers who push themselves a lot, but are often left with feelings of dissatisfaction and insecurity.
Now that you know what the MBTI is all about…
How can you use this knowledge as a tool?
I can almost guarantee that your personality type description will resonate with you. Almost everything I read, from the strengths and weaknesses of an INFJ-T to career paths we thrive best going down, made me feel like I had a community– not one I could visibly see but one that existed. I promise, if you have ever felt alone, or like you’re “just a little different”, realizing that “wait– I’m actually not the only one who’s like that!” is super powerful, and will help you appreciate the beauty and diversity of all the wonderful people on our planet. These types of sources can help you pin down your shortcomings and work on them with realistic expectations, appreciate your strong points, and know how you learn, love, and think. With a better sense of who you are, you can help your peers do the same by treating them with empathy and emotional intelligence.
Understanding yourself isn’t about finding all the answers—it’s about learning how to use your own map. The hope is only that you will recognize your radiance, move through the day spreading a bit more positivity, and do what you need to take care of yourself and others. So clip your personality to your tool belt, light your lantern, and go see how bright the world looks when you let your light shine.
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