Wednesday, June 25, 2008

What are we doing tonight, Brain?

The other day, I took the Myer Briggs personality test. I'm trying to figure out what to do with the rest of my life, and while I'm leaning toward psychology, I honestly didn't have an answer when the lady over at the college asked me what I was interested in. I sort of stuttered out, "uhm? I dunno..." because I honestly couldn't see myself doing anything other than what I'm doing now. I know I have to find a better paying career, because one day I might need the money--and a couple years lead time is always good.

You should plan these things out, lol.

So she referred me (for free! It was the free that got me) to the people over at the skills assessment center. And I figured, okay--this is one time I shouldn't try to work the test. I've always been good at "tweaking" tests to reflect what I want out of them. So there I sat, in a little cubicle in the depths of this college, with kids younger than mine running around like the world would come to an end if they didn't deliberate on each and every question. I mean--c'mon, the instructions say go with your gut. So I blew through the test in ten minutes, and said--yeah, like this is going to help me.

It was supposed to take over an hour. Anything that takes less than fifteen minutes can't be much good. Like those "take this quiz" tests to see what kind of rainbow you are.

...the sad part was that I noticed, okay--I don't like people, plants, animals, being in a position of authority, telling people what to do, selling things, being in groups, working on teams, and just about everything, which hung me out to dry and left me flapping. And I started wondering why I was bothering with college at all. I didn't like it the first time, and I started it again as medicine to ward off future illness.

So, in a fit of maudlin self pity, I told my oldest kid about the test, and he told me about the Guardian personality type. Turns out he's an "inspector", which is one of the Myer-Briggs sub-groupings. Introverts, according to MB, are a small percentage of the population, and while my kid talked, I nodded.

Damn, I thought. That sounds like me. So he encouraged me to look the test up online and retake it, because of course--being college, the people at the center wanted me to come in so they could "explain it" to me.

Turns out I'm not a Guardian. I'm a Rational. And not just a Rational, I'm a Mastermind. So I of course said, "what are we going to do tonight, Brain? Snarf!!" Right before I read the descriptions.

*sigh*

I'm a mastermind.

The test hit my core personality on the nose, and ouch! it hurts. So without further ado--this is me.

All Rationals are good at planning operations, but Masterminds are head and shoulders above all the rest in contingency planning. Complex operations involve many steps or stages, one following another in a necessary progression, and Masterminds are naturally able to grasp how each one leads to the next, and to prepare alternatives for difficulties that are likely to arise any step of the way. Trying to anticipate every contingency, Masterminds never set off on their current project without a Plan A firmly in mind, but they are always prepared to switch to Plan B or C or D if need be.


Masterminds are rare, comprising no more than, say, one percent of the population, and they are rarely encountered outside their office, factory, school, or laboratory.


...which makes me want a laboratory, damnit.

so...take the test. I know you want to, and tell me what you are...

  • right here
  • 13 comments:

    Kaige said...

    Inspector: ISTJ -- which is interesting. I don't know if it's a difference between the tests taken or I'm changing as I get older because I used to always score INTJ on these things.

    Maybe I'm not as idealistic these days. :)

    prowd said...

    ISFJ - I guess it would help if you know who I am. I was at that ccokout celebrating the Rick with Cowboy, since I'm the Rick's wife:)

    Jennifer McKenzie said...

    Soooooo you're going to try and take over the world?
    LOL.

    Unknown said...

    lol. Kaige--the two personalities are very close. I think it's a age thing, too, because I don't think I was like this when I was young--I was probably an ISTJ--so maybe they flip flop, maybe I grew more idealistic, lol?

    Hi Merry--I didn't know you wanted to write, or that Cowboy had talked you over to my blog. You are very ISFJ--wikipedia says it better. Say hello to the patron God of Kitchens for me.

    uhm--you caught me, Jen. I wasn't reaaaaalllly gonna do anything with it. Honest.

    Unhinged said...

    It changes.

    A month ago I was an ISTP:
    Introverted - 89%
    Sensing - 1% (LOL!)
    Thinking - 38%
    Perceiving - 56%

    Now I'm an ISFJ
    Introverted - 56%
    Sensing - 50%
    Feeling - 50%
    Judging - 1% (This is good, I guess)

    Conclusion? It depends on the type of questions you're ASKED, and when you are asked them (state of mind).

    Sincerely,
    Unhinged, MD

    deanna said...

    INFJ - Counselor. I appreciate genuine, rather than artificial folk (quite true). Pardon me, this social interaction makes me need to withdraw now and recharge.

    Thanks for the interesting link.

    Unknown said...

    lol, Unhingey--it kind of scares me that you're like Prowd. I was thinking you'd burst the box.

    *and I have this ache...*

    Deanna, can I lay on your couch? I think you're a fine counselor. :)

    Jennifer McKenzie said...

    Your Type is
    ISFJ
    Introverted Sensing Feeling Judging
    Strength of the preferences %
    22 62 50 11

    ISFJ type description by D.Keirsey
    ISFJ Identify Your Career with Jung Career Indicator™ ISFJ Famous Personalities
    ISFJ type description by J. Butt and M.M. Heiss



    Qualitative analysis of your type formula

    You are:

    * slightly expressed introvert
    * distinctively expressed sensing personality
    * moderately expressed feeling personality
    * slightly expressed judging personality

    Unknown said...

    I think, Jen--within the context of the category, people are more one thing than another. You're a nice person is all. Me and Kaige (no offense) are not so nice. My score for introvert blows it right out of the water.

    lol--Cowboy is a champion. I always knew he was.

    Kaige said...

    Hmmm. Makes me wonder what evil plot Jodi's trying to hatch and if I'll fall for it. I see how you are. ;)

    Maybe I'll just say, "Narf!" and be done.

    Jeanna said...

    Another ISFJ (Introverted, Sensing, Feeling, Judging)here.
    No pesky thinking or perception for me.

    December said...

    Artisan- Portrait of the Promoter (ESTP)
    (sorry - I'm FunkyBunny)

    I took a few of these tests in college too. I wish there was a test that says YOU are supposed to be XYZ.
    Huh.
    yeah, then I'd promptly go be an ABC.

    Liana Laverentz said...

    All Rationals are good at planning operations, but Masterminds are head and shoulders above all the rest in contingency planning. Complex operations involve many steps or stages, one following another in a necessary progression, and Masterminds are naturally able to grasp how each one leads to the next, and to prepare alternatives for difficulties that are likely to arise any step of the way. Trying to anticipate every contingency, Masterminds never set off on their current project without a Plan A firmly in mind, but they are always prepared to switch to Plan B or C or D if need be.


    Sounds like you should be a writer. We don't come out of our caves (offices) either.

    Off to take the test. I may or may not be back, depending on the results.

    Liana Laverentz
    Thin Ice (NJRW Golden Leaf and EPPIE Award Winner)
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    Available in e-book, print, and on Kindle
    Ashton's Secret (coming in 2008)
    www.thewildrosepress.com
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