What personality type describes you best? Is there a second personality type that is also strong? Are you content with the personality God gave you? If not, what do you wish was different about yourself?
I made this a little experiment with a 2-fold identification for myself. First when I looked at the lists, I indicated which things I see in myself now and which I saw in myself as a teen. Then I sent the lists to my immediate family and 2 closest friends to see what they would put. I then compared the lists that were returned to me (shockingly, my daughters didn’t do it).
As for myself, I used to be sanguine and now fall into melancholy. I saw very few strengths in myself now, but had most of the relational challenges in every category. When I look only at the needs I would have said that I was a dead ringer for sanguine. I do need affection, approval, and would like some attention and interaction, but I’ve learned how to live without those, so most of the time I’m content when I don’t get them. Affection and approval I actually long for and spend many nights crying about. On the other hand, I also wish for understanding, stability, and support, but my life doesn’t lend itself to those things and I’m content with the stress because it’s all I know. As for space and silence? I HATE them both because they allow my brain to think too much and that hurts my heart creating more melancholy. It’s a vicious cycle! J
As for the people who looked at it regarding me, that was interesting. My brother hated the thing because he feels that many of the relational challenges are good things not bad. They are driving forces so he marked very few. He views me as choleric (and ironically the only person who indicated I’m opinionated). One friend found me under melancholy with sanguine a high second. The other found me under sanguine with choleric very close behind.
I think the best part of this was seeing the qualities that they all (or most) agreed I show. I was surprised, but it was also empowering and encouraging to know that I am seen that way even if I don’t feel it or see it in myself – especially by those who know me best:
Considerate, reliable, good organizer, task oriented, excels in crisis, humorous, creative, planner, organized, fair, empathetic
And those we all agree I need to work on:
Perfectionist, discontent, denial, workaholic tendency, takes on too much
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