Meyers-Briggs

The very last class we took at the missionary training center was on the Meyers-Briggs personality instrument. We learned a lot about working with people whose personalities differ from ours, and we also discovered a few things about ourselves.

I was shocked to discover that I tested well into the extrovert category. I was not shocked, however, to see that I am a thinker, as opposed to a feeler. The woman teaching the class made the comment, "Most people just don't know what to do with a woman thinker." Well, that's true. Only 30% of the world's female population fall into such a category. We have a little trouble with male feelers (who make up the same percentage, 30%, of their own sex), but female thinkers seem anti-instinctive.

Applications? Maybe I would find housework more bearable if I were a feeler. I mean, spending a grand total of an hour and a half on preparation and clean up for a meager fifteen minutes of eating just isn't logical. If I were to get a buzz from knowing that my family is full, happy, and grateful, maybe it would be a more desirable task. For me, though, it's just something that I do because it's my job (although I still think a frozen pizza makes more sense and accomplishes the same, basic task).

Beyond that, it's helpful to know that I'm not heartless, just thinky. Just because thinkers prefer logical analysis to mushy emotion, it doesn't mean that we don't have feelings. In fact, right now I'm feeling quite thirsty. See? Maybe I can be emotional.