Funny how time passes, so many things happen, and so many stay the same. I wrote this post two years ago almost to the day, and most of it is still true! Except I actually am back to practicing yoga now, yeay me.
Since I’m going for my MBTI (r) Certification this week, I’ve been required to do some pre-course work, including retaking – you guessed it – the MBTI questionnaire. The first time I took it was part of an application process and it was enlightening. Granted, I may have answered a few questions more in terms of what I thought would look better for a person applying for the position I was trying to get (executive assistant), but at the time I felt the results did reflect my preferences quite accurately.
This time around, one of the preferences I was quite certain of changed into the clear opposite, and all of a sudden I’m not so sure anymore whether that opposite doesn’t, in fact, fit better. “Trouble” being, according to Jung’s theory, your personality type preferences and the corresponding behaviors are innate and strengthened by preferential use. True, with age and advancing experience one becomes more adept at functioning effectively on both ends of the spectrum. Still, a complete turn-around is rather unlikely.
Have I always been a “P” and just stifled it, because a “J” was more acceptable in the culture I grew up in? What does it say about my self-awareness when I always thought I was something that maybe I’m not? Will I now change my behavior in a not-quite-subconscious attempt to better fit my profile? Which came first, the new behavior or the new questionnaire result? Is “classifying” people an act of self-fulfilling prophecy?
Can people change? Do they? When?
If you’ve no idea what I’m talking about, please consider investing in your own MBTI result. You’ll receive information about your preferences regarding what energizes you, how you take in information, how you make decisions, and the way you organize your world. It’s really quite fascinating and a very helpful awareness tool, and its possible application is limitless. Let me know if you’d like the results explained in greater depth and what they might mean when it comes to working in teams, leading people, your communication style, your stress reactions, finding your dream job or living fulfilling relationships.
Til next week, have a good one!
