The closest i got to knowing myself

Although i spent a lot of time so far on trying to know myself, i feel i am pretty far from drawing final conclusions.

Anyway, i just spent 20 minutes on filling in a personality test. My expectations when it comes to this kind of tests are pretty low due to the fact that i never felt i can actually identify myself with the results. Well, this time i was very surprised, it's a simple test, i even feel as if i took it before, and still i find myself reading the results for the 4th time... i actually believe that i found some answers....

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INFP

Introverted Feeling with Extraverted Intuition

At Their Best

People with INFP preferences have an inner core of values that guides their interactions and decisions. They want to be involved in work that contributes to both their own growth and inner development and those of others – to have a purpose beyond their paycheck. They make a priority of clarifying their values and living in congruence with them.

INFPs recognize and honor the emotional and psychological needs of others, even when others may not have recognized or expressed their own needs.

Characteristics of INFPs

INFPs primarily use their Feeling preference internally where they make decisions based on their values of self-understanding, individuality, and growth. Living by moral commitments to what they believe in is crucial to INFPs. They are likely to be:

• Sensitive, concerned, and caring
• Idealistic and loyal to their ideas

INFPs enjoy reading, discussing, and reflecting on possibilities for positive change in the future. They are curious about ideas and quick to see connections and meanings. INFPs are likely to:

• Be curious and creative
• Have long-range vision

INFPs are usually fascinated by opportunities to explore the complexities of human personality-their own and others'. They tend to work in bursts of energy and are capable of great concentration and output when fully engaged in a project. They are generally faithful in fulfilling obligations related to people, work, or ideas to which they are committed, but they can have difficulty performing routine work that has little meaning for them.

How Others May See Them

INFPs find structures and rules confining and prefer to work autonomously. They are adaptable and flexible until something violates their inner values. Then they stop adapting. The resulting expression of value judgments can emerge with an intensity that is surprising to others.

INFPs tend to be reserved and selective about sharing their most deeply held values and feelings. They value relationships based on depth, authenticity, true connection, and mutual growth. INFPs prize most those who take time to understand their values and goals. Others usually see INFPs as:

• Sensitive, introspective, and complex
• Original and individual
• Sometimes difficult to understand

Potential Areas for Growth

Sometimes life circumstances have not supported INFPs in the development and expression of their Intuitive and Feeling preferences.

• If they have not developed their Intuition, INFPs may not have reliable ways to take in information and may fail to notice the realities of situations. Then they may make decisions based solely on personal values and find it difficult to translate their values into action.
• If they have not developed their Feeling, they may not take time for the inner valuing process by which they make their best decisions, instead going from one exciting possibility to another and achieving little.

If INFPs do not find a place where they can use their gifts and be appreciated for their contributions, they usually feel frustrated and may:

• Have uncharacteristic difficulty expressing themselves verbally
• Withdraw from people and situations
• Not give enough information to others, especially about important values

It is natural for INFPs to give less attention to their non-preferred Thinking and Sensing parts. If they neglect these too much, however, they may:

• Become easily discouraged about the contrast between their ideals and accomplishments
• Reject logical reasoning even in situations that require it, asserting the supremacy of their internal viewpoint
• Be impractical and have difficulty estimating the resources required to reach a desired goal

Under great stress, INFPs may begin seriously doubting their own competence and that of others, becoming overly critical and judgmental.

AT WORK…

lNFPs are open-minded, idealistic, insightful, and flexible individuals who want their work to contribute to something that matters. They enjoy working by themselves or in small groups where they can be creative.

Contributions to the Organization

• Communicate and persuade with their ideals
• Draw individuals together around a common purpose
• Work to find matches for people in organizations
• Seek new ideas and possibilities for the organization
• Quietly push an organization to uphold its values

Leadership Style

• Take a facilitative approach
• Prefer unique leadership roles rather than conventional ones
• Work independently toward their vision
• Are more likely to praise than to critique others
• Encourage people to act on their ideals

Preferred Learning Style

• Quietly engaging their interests, and imaginatively presented
• Flexible and focused on their own and others' development

Potential Pitfalls

• May delay completion of tasks because of perfectionism
• May try to please too many people at once
• May not adjust their ideals to the facts and logic of the situation
• May spend more time in reflection than in action

Problem-Solving Approach

• Want to reflect on what is really important to them and others (F) and to seek out creative possibilities (N)
• May need to gather factual data (S) and decide about things more objectively (T) for optimal results

Preferred Work Environments

• Contain pleasant and committed people focused on important values
• Have a cooperative atmosphere with a lightness of spirit
• Allow privacy as well as collegiality
• Provide flexibility with minimal routine
• Are non-bureaucratic
• Foster calm and quiet
• Allow time and space for reflection

Suggestions for Development

• May need to learn to work with what is rather than searching for an ideal response
• May need to develop more tough-mindedness and a willingness to say "no"
• May need to factor in facts and logic along with their personal values
• May need to develop and implement action plans

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