Embracing a Little "Hocus Pocus"

Why is it that I never tire of taking personality assessments? To me, reading the results of a personality test is kind of like reading a horoscope, or getting a "reading" from an a psychic or other intuitive. For the record, I've participated in "intuitive readings" twice, for fun. One reading I had was with a pet psychic several years ago - yes you read that right - and the other was just a few weeks ago with an "energy" reader in Chicago, which was fascinating (and worth a separate entry).

I get it, maybe it's not altogether a fair comparison, what with the principles of the science of psychology backing the whole personality test gig, compared to, say, tea leaves, crystal balls, decks of cards, celestial bodies and other such imaginative rigmarole that accompanies horoscopes and psychics and whatnot. But regardless of the source, those kernels of wisdom can feel so uniquely suited to me, all the while still feeling like hocus pocus - even the personality assessments (sorry, Carl Jung).

I've taken the Myers Briggs in various capacities probably a dozen times, almost always resulting in the somewhat rare "INFJ" (supposedly, less than 2% of the population shares this personality type). On those other occasions, it's only a slight variation of "INTJ."

This afternoon, I took a yet another (free) Myers Briggs based assessment online called 16 Personalities. Once again, my result came back as "INFJ-T" (Introverted, iNtuitive, Feeling, Judging, Turbulent). This assessment also gave me some new labels to explore, including "Advocate", and "Diplomat" with a strategy of "Constant Improvement." You can learn more about the different personality type indicators here.

This particular version also shares your personality profile outcomes according to several different topics, including personality type strengths and weaknesses, impact on romantic relationships, friendships, career and workplace, and a "premium" teaser to entice the test taker to level up and pay for more content. I was particularly stricken by my INFJ assessment outlined the career section, and here's a direct excerpt of my career results from the 16 Personalities website previously cited:

INFJs are likely to find that most corporate career paths are not designed for them, but for those focused on status and material gain....Many INFJs struggle to begin a career early on because they see ten wildly different paths forward, each with its own intrinsic rewards, alluring but also heartbreaking, because each means abandoning so much else. People with the INFJ personality type are more likely to, despite their aversion to controlling others, establish their independence by either finding a leadership position, or simply starting their own practice. As independents, sole proprietors in the parlance of business, INFJs are free to follow their hearts, applying their personal touch, creativity and altruism to everything they do. INFJs often pursue expressive careers such as writing, elegant communicators that they are, and author many popular blogs, stories and screenplays.

Well! OK then! That all sounds pretty spot on to me.  And then I got to the "premium" portion of the profile -- another excerpt here:

An Advocate is a rare bird, indeed – making up only 1 to 2 percent of the population, it is no wonder that many Advocates, surrounded by so many people who are so unlike them, begin to feel lost. Some struggle for much of their lives, trying to be something they’re not...strong-willed, passionate, creative, giving individuals who nevertheless felt like something was missing.

Yep yep yep! On the money! Maybe I'm just seeing what I want to see, and maybe I'm just looking for more affirmation that my recent decision to vacate my career is the right one...but still, they sold me...hook line and sinker.

There goes $32.99....and now, please excuse me, my 100 page "premium" download is ready, and I have some more reading to do! Off to explore those deep chasms within (that sounds dirty! heee!)