When I saw Susan Cain’s talk on TED The Power of Introverts I went online, took the Myers Briggs Test and established that I am in fact 75% introvert.
It has explained so much. The longing for quiet time, the overwhelm of too much socialising, the need to create. Luckily I’m an introvert with a performance streak and this has helped me to survive my job and my community’s expectations. (Secretly I am no “craic” at all and would prefer to be at home reading a book)
Since then I’ve written about this discovery, how it has affected my life and why everyone should take the test. Usually I’ve done the blogging equivalent of ripping up these posts and have left them in draft. I was never too keen on psychological assessments, preferring some version of soulful anarchy and although everything is telling me to step away, here I am recommending it to you!
Do the test if you want a bit of insight into your personality type. You can take the result with a grain of salt or if like me you are blown away by how accurate it is, enjoy the aha moment.
I have had an epiphany too when I read The Introvert Advantage by Marti Laney. That's when I stopped beating myself for "not being normal". Liberating! I am glad Susan Cain's talk did the same for you. Her book is good, too 🙂
it was the Introvert Advantage that did for me too. Was like turning a light bulb onto the past.
It certainly is liberating!
the virtual of blogs, and social media – seems to attract introverts.
I agree Diane we are very happy in the virtual world!
Such lovely images, I'm going to do that test.
Enjoy!
You keep asking me in your email if I want to unsubscribe ~ no thank you Catherine, I don't!! I'm heading off to do "the test" but I already know that I will be similar to you. That's fine, we can't all be extrovert now can we? Lovely lovely photos ~ what a beautiful world.
Jane it's that introvert thing at work again…asking you to unsubscribe!! OK I'll stop that now LOL!!!
Interesting Catherine, I might give it a go. I think I am an enforced introvert because of my hearing but still I would like to feel its Ok not to socialize too much too! 🙂
Extroverts probably need down time too. I think we are all a mixture of these things and maybe at different times certain traits are more dominant. Certainly getting older I am more introverted than ever! Thanks Clare
When I became a school administrator, I took this test. I have always been an introvert. But with my job, I had to extend myself and become more extroverted which showed in my test when I retook it. Now I test more even with traits of both, although I tend to lean toward the introvert again as I retire. As Susan says in her Ted Talk, we are forced to live in an extrovert's world and I know this first hand. But like you I prefer to stay home and read and not socialize too much….time alone is pure bliss….perhaps that is why your beautiful photos speak to me me dear Catherine.
Thank you Donna! Yes my own job has demanded an outgoing personality at times and as long as it isn't too intense or extended I can really enjoy that. Also being an introvert has made me more sensitive to quiet people and those who don't put themselves forward too much in groups…..
Perhaps I already knew, why I enjoy solitary walks and a preference for a good book over a noisy party crowd. Just did the test, all there in black and white now. Introvert.
How interesting! That was my experience too it all starts to make sense…….thank you for sharing that…..
I've taken so many MBT's during my corporate years and they would always ring true. Curious if you look up your birthdate (see my post – http://gothamgirlchronicles.com/tales-of-other-cities/friday-2/) what it would tell you? Mine was once again…spot on!
Will do Robin!
This test is become very popular, and is great as it provides a lot of insights. I've known since I was a kid that I was an introvert, but the test did confirm it. I love hanging out with people (small groups, preferably!), but it does take a lot of energy. I have to have alone time to recharge. I think a lot of writers and bloggers do tend to be introverts.
My husband took an in-depth Myers-Brigg test done by professionals as part of some job seminar. It was very interesting – they told him that he was so far on one spectrum that there were only two different personality types they thought he could be married to, one of which was my personality type. Ha, it was meant to be!
Lucky for both of you! I must say I got the whole family to do the test and found each one of them very relevant to each character. I love the way all the introverts are coming out her today…. Thanks Indie!
I took the test in my business days and it was good–also useful for knowing how best to work with others and relate to them in ways that they can understand. The Myers-Briggs Indicator is one of the best around, it has nuance and is tried and true. (It must be twenty years old now…) The test told me I should be a writer. I don't know if you ever encountered an article many years back in The Atlantic called "The Care and Feeding of your Introvert." It was one of the best assessments of introverts I've ever read, and very funny to boot. Something I rely on heavily in my life is the clear knowledge that I love my friends and love to enjoy the active world, but I need two days of alone time for every one day of activity. That ratio has served me well. When I don't honor that, my health suffers.
Well yes Susie I'm smiling at the two days of alone time……..I wish I had understood that many years ago too………
I am heading for the test now , will be interesting to me
. I have long known I am an introvert at heart , but I do like to socialize on my terms on occasion ( that sounds a bit rude doesn't it but I do use finesse 🙂 and I adore blogging .
I shall do the test. But I find the results often vary depending on how I'm feeling at the moment! I don't know what that makes me:)
Hello, I have been subscribed to your blog for awhile now and have so enjoyed your beautiful and sensitive photographs and posts~ I did feel compelled to mention here since much is now being made now of Susan Cain's book , that ever since 1997 there has been a serious book and the first written about this same /similar subject (but very readable and intended for the layperson) addressed to a personality type which had rarely up to then, been recognized or addressed, even by the psychiatric community~ if you are in this group of what are known as Highly Sensitive Personality's( or HSP's) there are all sorts of physical ( reacting strongly to loud noise, bright lights ect) as well as the emotional aspects to being born this way~ It is genetic and most born as HSP's are 'creative" types, drawn to arts of all kinds ~ often art, writing , music and dance ect. We are just a small portion of the general population and therefore often go through life feeling as if we come from another planet or at least the majority of others must ! They cannot relate to us nor we , often to them. The book was written by a psychologist who if I recall correctly, is an HSP herself. One of the most important things to remember and to do for your sanity , is to have 'alone time' because we simply do not possess the same sorts of 'filters' in our make-up, that people who are not HSP's do. We are hyper-aware of the world around and inside us and get easily overstimulated ~ whether it be through socializing or other outside situations~ We must allow ourselves 'downtime" several times a week ~ It does not mean we are anti-social or do not care for the ones we love and their company, but in order to process and maintain an emotional balance we have to give ourselves permission to be quiet and left to pursue our own interests or just sit quietly. This is essential.. There is an easy self-test of ten questions in the book , which if you can strongly answer yes to more than three, you are probably an HSP. I know this book has helped so many people survive , many thinking there was something very wrong with them as compared to people around them. Another interesting point which I have found to be a truth all my life, is that an HSP will always spot and be drawn to another HSP. Part of the joy of being so very aware . intuitive and empathetic is you can 'read' other people so much better and recognize kindred spirits because you have this increased awareness. I realize I am going on at length here. but thought you might be interested in the book~ it provides tools for coping and there are now other books by same author Elaine Aron for the HSP child (which is most likely what you will have if you and partner are both HSP's) and one just for men ect. (she has a website ) The wonderful aspects of being born an HSP is that it enables you to experience life in a far deeper, and richer. fuller sense than people who are not~ but with that also comes the increased potential for depression and anxiety ~ It really is like being from another planet, but so wonderful when you meet others who instantly understand and relate . The book is called' The Highly Sensitive Person and How to Thrive When the World Overwhelms You.' It was updated in 1999. You can actually take the ten question test on her website (free) Although I have no doubt at all that you are one ! Thank you for all the beauty you share. Love reading your posts.
I've just now come across your comment which is fascinating. Yes I have heard about highly sensitive people and will certainly follow up on your suggestions, thank you so much! It's amazing how we find each other isn't it:~))
Excellent talk by Susan Cain, Catherine. I would behove many loud and noisy people to make a real effort to be quiet every now and then. Funnily enough, although I consider myself to more intro than extrovert, I am inclined to too noisy myself, sometimes. Thanks for a thought provoking post and particularly for the stunning pictures.
Ca,
ENTJ here, I used to give the test in training programs. The way we met makes it hard for me to think of you as an introvert. Be well my friend.
I'm best at one to one Deb so that might explain it….and then there's being Irish too!! Nice to hear from you my friend. x