Cao’s Blog » Blog Archive » I took the myers briggs test, I am an INFJ

2/3/2007

I took the myers briggs test, I am an INFJ

By: Cao, Filed under: From the Heart , General , MSOI @ 7:06 am

Ready? I am an IFNJ, the “Protector”. This is one area where Joe Cafasso and Kathryn Cramer made a terrible mistake; I take things on as a personal mission; and this blog is an example of that. I think conservatives are on the verge of loosing their personal liberties, which includes voicing their opinions on issues and simple free speech. Support of the WoT for me, is a mission. And supporting Idema, for me, is a mission. These are not things you will easily scare me from talking about.

It depends where you go and read; but the typing overall, points you toward what fits your natural talents. In my case, the descriptions of the kinds of careers I’m naturally attracted to, are very accurate, completely new and in some cases surprising information that I have not seen before. I would be a good ‘monk’ or ‘nun’, among other things, lol.

The INFJ type is the most rare of the 16 Jung Types; representative in only 1.5% of the population. So, that, by itself, explains a lot. I wish I’d been armed with this information a while back. What’s really odd to me is when I took a look at this weird bunch of descriptive words for the IFNJ:

creative, smart, focus on fantasy more than reality, attracted to sad things, fears doing the wrong thing, observer, avoidant, fears drawing attention to self, anxious, cautious, somewhat easily frightened, easily offended, private, easily hurt, socially uncomfortable, emotionally moody, does not like to be looked at, fearful, perfectionist, can sabotage self, can be wounded at the core, values solitude, guarded, does not like crowds, organized, second guesses self, more likely to support marijuana legalization, focuses on peoples hidden motives, prone to crying, not competitive, prone to feelings of loneliness, not spontaneous, prone to sadness, longs for a stabilizing relationship, fears rejection in relationships, frequently worried, can feel victimized, prone to intimidation, lower energy, strict with self

Notice anything strange in that disjointed group of descriptors?

Ok, how about this one: “more likely to support marijuana legalization”.

Actually when I first read it, I was thinking…wow, the individual who wrote this needs some therapy.

It ended up depressing to see this written out as a description for a type, let alone to realize it was describing ME. I can be those things at times, but I’m not all of those things all of the time. My husband DOES tend to sneak up on me; and my co-workers have an invisible line they don’t cross until they announce themselves; otherwise I tend to scream.

You can take the test for yourself, here. If you take it, feel free to put your results in comments.

Here are the 16 types:

ISTJ ISFJ INFJ INTJ
ISTP ISFP INFP INTP
ESTP ESFP ENFP ENTP
ESTJ ESFJ ENFJ ENTJ

There is some slight controversy over this typing, but it’s been around for a pretty long time; the test following Carl Jung’s theories in his work Psychological Types. Any way you look at it, the careers that it mentions I would be automatically attracted to are things I already do for ‘fun’:

Photographer
Novelist
Poet (I have not done this in a long time, but I did it a lot during High School)
Technology consultant
Customers relations manager
Employee assistance program coordinator or counselor
Marketer of ideas and or services
Interpreter or translator (because language is a strength area)
Informational Graphic designer
Freelance media planner
Editor or art director
Genealogist (I do not do this, but my Aunt and sister do)
Desktop publishing
Multimedia producer
Film editor
Documentary film maker
Educational software developer
Coach
Human resources recruiter
Museum curator
Librarian
Bilingual education teacher
Substance abuse counselor
Career counselor

That is not all of them, but that gives you an idea.

One of the recommended areas for the INFJ is Counseling and Education, which would allow me to use my ideas to help other people. Personal interaction 1:1 is a strength for my type. We also enjoy studying and learning, which makes the educational and academic area a place where I am comfortable. Another recommended area is Religion; because we see our work as a mission.

I came across all this when I was reading the book “Do What You Are : Discover the Perfect Career for You Through the Secrets of Personality Type–Revised and Updated Edition Featuring E-careers for the 21st Century (Paperback) “. It explains in relative detail with stories about people and how they found the work that fuels their passions.

I am an idealist, someone who has a natural ability to understand and connect with other people; naturally empathetic, and able to focus on the needs of the people involved in my work. We INFJs know how to bring out the best in others and understand how to motivate them to do their best work. We are excellent at resolving conflicts and at helping people to work together. (I am not sure this is necessarily true, lol.) But this characerization could explain how I ended up owning the Wide Awakes blog.

I am looking into getting enrolled to finish a degree in a Communications-related area, that multi media and visual communications technology is an area that I would be completely happy to keep learning about. I was using Serious Magic software to do my videoblogs, and I was thinking when the announcement came out that Adobe acquired Serious Magic, that I would like to find a way to get into marketing products like that. But I have so many ideas since I picked up “Make a Living Without a Job”, it is hard to keep up with my brain.

Thanks to Jo’s Cafe

20 Responses to “I took the myers briggs test, I am an INFJ”

Jo Says:
February 3rd, 2007 at 7:09 am
Back when I worked for Law Enforcement in Texas, we all took the MB test. I was an INFJ at that time. Don’t know if time and experiences may have changed that though.
Cao Says:
February 3rd, 2007 at 7:23 am
Interesting, Jo, I was wondering if I would run into another INFJ, imagine that!

Actually, several people at work re-took the test and they tested out exactly the same as they did years ago. If that is any indicator, you may have stayed the same.

Huh. At Wikipedia it also says INFJs belong to the temperament of the idealists and are called Counselors.

Joe Butt:

Beneath the quiet exterior, INFJs hold deep convictions about the weightier matters of life. Those who are activists — INFJs gravitate toward such a role — are there for the cause, not for personal glory or political power.

That’s one of the things that’s kind of been bothering me; I have seen a lot of bloggers promote themselves by sending out emails to posts and that kind of thing. I just can’t seem to bring myself to do that.

INFJs are champions of the oppressed and downtrodden. They often are found in the wake of an emergency, rescuing those who are in acute distress. INFJs may fantasize about getting revenge on those who victimize the defenseless. The concept of ‘poetic justice’ is appealing to the INFJ.

And ‘what goes around comes around’, lol

“There’s something rotten in Denmark.” Accurately suspicious about others’ motives, INFJs are not easily led. These are the people that you can rarely fool any of the time. Though affable and sympathetic to most, INFJs are selective about their friends. Such a friendship is a symbiotic bond that transcends mere words.

INFJs have a knack for fluency in language and facility in communication. In addition, nonverbal sensitivity enables the INFJ to know and be known by others intimately.

Writing, counseling, public service and even politics are areas where INFJs frequently find their niche.

I’m not sure if I’m necessarily ‘quiet’, but I think of you as quiet, Jo. My dad told me recently that when I was a little girl, and things got quiet, he knew something was wrong.

Marina Margaret Heiss:

Usually self-expression comes more easily to INFJs on paper, as they tend to have strong writing skills. Since in addition they often possess a strong personal charisma, INFJs are generally well-suited to the “inspirational” professions such as teaching (especially in higher education) and religious leadership. Psychology and counseling are other obvious choices, but overall, INFJs can be exceptionally difficult to pigeonhole by their career paths. Perhaps the best example of this occurs in the technical fields. Many INFJs perceive themselves at a disadvantage when dealing with the mystique and formality of “hard logic”, and in academic terms this may cause a tendency to gravitate towards the liberal arts rather than the sciences. However, the significant minority of INFJs who do pursue studies and careers in the latter areas tend to be as successful as their T counterparts, as it is *iNtuition* — the dominant function for the INFJ type — which governs the ability to understand abstract theory and implement it creatively.
RottyPup Says:
February 3rd, 2007 at 3:22 pm
INTJ here, a close ‘cousin’ of INFJ. Odd that we’re seeing a cluster of these rare types (INTJs are, I think 2% of the population, while you two are the rarest type, only 1%).
Cao Says:
February 3rd, 2007 at 3:34 pm
bwahahaha! Yes, I’m discovering that this is all quite revealing. This is from Wikipedia on the INTJ:

Referring to Keirsey, INTJs belong to the temperament of the rationals and are called Masterminds.

So, mwahahaha, you are the mastermind, Rotty.

INTJs are very analytical individuals. Like INTPs, they are more comfortable working alone than with other people, and are not usually as sociable as others, although they are prepared to take the lead if nobody else is up to the task, or they see a large weakness in the current leadership. They tend to be very pragmatic and logical individuals, often with an individualistic bent and a low tolerance for political correctness, spin, or rampant emotionalism.

INTJs are often found in more exacting careers such as science, engineering, accounting, law, or architecture. Of course, one of the suggested creative areas for you is writer/editorial writer, columnist, critic and commentator, which is what I think you really excel at, but I haven’t seen you outside the blogosphere.

I’ve looked you up in my book. How interesting!
RottyPup Says:
February 3rd, 2007 at 7:49 pm
Heh. Yeah, the Myers-Briggs tests have intrigued me for a while as well. I must say, it’s a pleasant surprise to learn you’re an INFJ — I would’ve pegged you as an E-type (I figured ENFJ or ENFP, then always wondered why we got on so well!) I guess the fact that you set up and run TWA threw me — Very atypical, that. (Although, since I work for a cat rescue charity, perhaps I’m not one to comment on those who act against type in this respect!)

‘Mastermind’. Um … maybe not so much ‘clever sod and knows it’ as ‘loves ideas and the life of the mind’. ‘Take the lead’ — Yup. This is unusual for I’s, but when INTJ’s do this, we’re usually leading the ’system’ as opposed to the ‘people in the system’ that E’s enjoy leading. (Not as cold or potentially-disastrous as it sounds — JFK was an INTJ.)

FYI, the hard-to-find original Keirsey definitions for INTJ and INFJ are available here and here. [Scroll down on both pages.]
Cao Says:
February 3rd, 2007 at 8:03 pm
The “i”s are just more devoted to a ’cause’, methinks. I like to ‘lead’ versus ‘manage’.

You know, I think my brother would probably test out as an INFJ.
RottyPup Says:
February 3rd, 2007 at 8:34 pm
The “i”s are just more devoted to a ’cause’, methinks.

Oh, indeed. I hear you when you say:

That’s one of the things that’s kind of been bothering me; I have seen a lot of bloggers promote themselves by sending out emails to posts and that kind of thing. I just can’t seem to bring myself to do that.

Typical English self-depreciation doesn’t help in my case, either — When it comes to self-promotion, it’s like being lame in both legs!

I like to ‘lead’ versus ‘manage’.

Yup. I guess that’s the difference between our types — We INTJs are managers all the way. (Then again, we’re closer to INTPs, who’re only happy when left alone in a world of theory, so go figure.)

You know, I think my brother would probably test out as an INFJ.

Quite likely — I’m an only child, but my mother tests as ISTJ, so I guess that close family members (same upbringing, same experiences) probably do end up sharing very similar personality types … You know what? I’d love to get Kender on the analyst’s couch. I’m betting ESFP
Cao Says:
February 3rd, 2007 at 9:30 pm
I’m going to send him a link to the test, and we’ll see what happens! Great idea!
Carolyn Hileman Says:
February 3rd, 2007 at 11:02 pm
Your Type is
INFJ
Introverted Intuitive Feeling Judging
Strength of the preferences %
22 12 25 78

INFJ type description by D.Keirsey
INFJ type description by J. Butt and M.M. Heiss

Qualitative analysis of your type formula

You are:
slightly expressed introvert

slightly expressed intuitive personality

moderately expressed feeling personality

very expressed judging personality
Peter Porcupine Says:
February 3rd, 2007 at 11:50 pm
Cao - ENFP for me - now I have to look upwha that means exactly….
Sonnabend Says:
February 4th, 2007 at 12:55 am
INFJ

Took this test a while back
Bear to the Right Says:
February 4th, 2007 at 3:12 am
Well, it turns out I am a ENTJ.

# distinctively expressed extrovert
# moderately expressed intuitive personality
# slightly expressed thinking personality
# moderately expressed judging personality

Now I have find out what that all means.
Cao Says:
February 4th, 2007 at 6:13 am
I find it so interesting that as Rotty points out, we have a cluster of INFJ or related types here. Could it be that the internet and blogging is conducive to this rare type?

Peter Porcupine, you are ENFP: The Inspirer

Careers for the ENFP

Google Search for ENFP

From Wikipedia:

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, and are tireless in the pursuit of new-found interests. 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.

Gary, you are an ENTJ, The Executive.

Careers for the ENTJ

Profile:

“I don’t care to sit by the window on an airplane. If I can’t control it, why look?”

ENTJs have a natural tendency to marshall and direct.

Also known as the Field Marshall.

They cannot not build organizations, and cannot not push to implement their goals.

WOW! So I need to remember these things about you as a member of TWA.

Google search for ENTJ
Cao Says:
February 4th, 2007 at 6:19 am
Imagine that. I am the same type as Carolyn Hilleman, who, I’ve always thought of as an incredibly creative type. This whole post was about the INFJ; but I like finding out about some of the other types, and who they are.
Kender Says:
February 4th, 2007 at 12:35 pm
Your Type is ENTJ
Extroverted Intuitive Thinking Judging
Strength of the preferences %
22 25 50 11

There ya go guys….make of it what you will.
Cao Says:
February 4th, 2007 at 1:08 pm
Kender’s like Gary! Who would have thunk it?

THE EXECUTIVE! The Field Marshall!

Hardly more than two percent of the total population, the Fieldmarshals are bound to lead others, and from an early age they can be observed taking command of groups. In some cases, Fieldmarshals simply find themselves in charge of groups, and are mystified as to how this happened. But the reason is that Fieldmarshals have a strong natural urge to give structure and direction wherever they are — to harness people in the field and to direct them to achieve distant goals. They resemble Supervisors in their tendency to establish plans for a task, enterprise, or organization, but Fieldmarshals search more for policy and goals than for regulations and procedures.

They cannot not build organizations, and cannot not push to implement their goals. When in charge of an organization, whether in the military, business, education, or government, Fieldmarshals more than any other type desire (and generally have the ability) to visualize where the organization is going, and they seem able to communicate that vision to others. Their organizational and coordinating skills tends to be highly developed, which means that they are likely to be good at systematizing, ordering priorities, generalizing, summarizing, at marshalling evidence, and at demonstrating their ideas. Their ability to organize, however, may be more highly developed than their ability to analyze, and the Fieldmarshal leader may need to turn to an Inventor or Architect to provide this kind of input.
GM Roper Says:
February 4th, 2007 at 8:48 pm
Cao, I’ve been an INTJ for so long, I helped Myers tie his shoes for his first day in school.
Cao Says:
February 5th, 2007 at 5:08 am
A very good collection of some related rare types! Thanks, GM!
xformed Says:
February 5th, 2007 at 2:33 pm
INTJ. First took this back in 1988, and…I haven’t changed…
Anonymous Says:
March 14th, 2007 at 4:39 pm
You may find these of interest:
http://www.INFJ.com
http://www.INFJorINFP.com
http://www.BestFitType.com