The Inspirer

I have done many a personality test. Part of the social work curriculum is delving deep into yourself and discovering all your internal facets. Some tests are pretty pointless and easy to manipulate to get the desired personality outcome. This week for one of my courses I had to take the Myers-Briggs. I have probably taken it before, but never really paid much attention to what the results said about me. When I read the outcome this time, I was utterly shocked with how accurate it was.I am an ENFP, also known as the inspirer. Here are some of the things the experts say about ENFP's:

ENFPs are warm, enthusiastic people, typically very bright and full of potential. They live in the world of possibilities, and can become very passionate and excited about things. Their enthusiasm lends them the ability to inspire and motivate others, more so than we see in other types. They can talk their way in or out of anything. They love life, seeing it as a special gift, and strive to make the most out of it.

I have always thought of myself as an ever optimist. I work very hard to see the silver lining in any situation. As far as being excited.....anyone who has ever been shopping with me knows how I get excited even over the most simple things in life. My husband would probably agree (and probably hates) that I usually can talk my way out of a situation....thats why I win all the arguments. Although, when I read him this portion, he was quick to point out the time I tried to talk my way out of a ticket from a state trooper...didn't go so well.

An ENFP needs to focus on following through with their projects. This can be a problem area for some of these individuals. Unlike other Extraverted types, ENFPs need time alone to center themselves, and make sure they are moving in a direction which is in sync with their values. ENFPs who remain centered will usually be quite successful at their endeavors. Others may fall into the habit of dropping a project when they become excited about a new possibility, and thus they never achieve the great accomplishments which they are capable of achieving.

This is a running joke in my family. I start projects with big ideas and great enthusiasm.....and then lose interest. When we were remodeling our house, I would go from room to room doing the demolition and make some headway on putting things back together, then move to another room. Poor Justin always had to come in and finish up the projects I started.

Most ENFPs have great people skills. They are genuinely warm and interested in people, and place great importance on their inter-personal relationships. ENFPs almost always have a strong need to be liked. They have an exceptional ability to intuitively understand a person after a very short period of time, and use their intuition and flexibility to relate to others on their own level.

Nothing drives me more crazy then to know that someone doesn't care for me. I also have a habit of flirting like crazy with just about anyone, not because I am attracted to them, but probably because I have this inherent need to be liked. As for the second part, here is a prime example...Last year I let my license expire. Because of that, I had to retake the entire driver's test....including the actual driving part. In the 15 minutes it took to complete my driving portion, the DMV woman doing my ride along told me about her one night stand shortly after her divorce that resulted in a pregnancy, which she nearly ended with an abortion but decided against it because of some kind of divine intervention. Yep, I was shocked too. But she said she felt comfortable talking with me and just felt like I really understood her.

Because ENFPs live in the world of exciting possibilities, the details of everyday life are seen as trivial drudgery. They place no importance on detailed, maintenance-type tasks, and will frequently remain oblivous to these types of concerns. When they do have to perform these tasks, they do not enjoy themselves. This is a challenging area of life for most ENFPs, and can be frustrating for ENFP's family members.

I cannot keep a schedule. I am messy and unorganized. Too much detail and too much scheduling makes me itch. I just cannot handle it. I know it drives people crazy that I always make last minute plans. Normally, I know the rough outline of my day, but that is about it. And you know what? That is just okay by me!

An ENFP who has "gone wrong" may be quite manipulative - and very good it. The gift of gab which they are blessed with makes it naturally easy for them to get what they want

Not the greatest attribute, but something to be aware of. This is definitely something I have to watch in myself....If I know it is something I am prone to, it is also something I can avoid.

ENFPs are basically happy people. They may become unhappy when they are confined to strict schedules or mundane tasks. Consequently, ENFPs work best in situations where they have a lot of flexibility, and where they can work with people and ideas. Many go into business for themselves. They have the ability to be quite productive with little supervision, as long as they are excited about what they're doing.

I cannot think of something more closely descriptive of me and how I operate! That is why the thought of working at a large firm makes my stomach turn. I simply could not handle it.

The full profile can be seen at http://www.personalitypage.com/ENFP.html

Oh, and in case you were wondering, Justin is an ENTJ, the executive. They say you are normally most compatible with your exact opposite, like the yin to your yang. BUT I could never picture myself with an introvert!

Some Famous ENFPs:

Will Rogers, Theodor "Dr." Seuss Geisel, Paul Harvey, Bill Cosby, Dave Thomas, Meg Ryan, Robin Williams, Sandra Bullock, Alicia Silverstone, Regis Philbin

You can also take the Myer-Briggs on the personalitypage website. Rumor is that the ol' 'birds of a feather' saying is especially true in groups of friends. What is your result?