personality test take 4

apparently every so often i need to re-take a personality test to see how/who i am.

and now i am back at being an ISFJ.

ISFJ personality

The ISFJ personality type is perhaps the most altruistic and supportive of all types. ISFJs rarely sit idle – there is always a worthy cause awaiting their attention. Most personalities are quite willing to reciprocate when it comes to good deeds; however, ISFJs take that to a higher level, often going above and beyond what is actually expected of them. People belonging to this type thrive in areas that are both traditional (they are SJs, after all) and involve a lot of activities where their input could make a huge positive difference. Many ISFJs seek careers in the academic sector, medicine, social work or counselling; their personality traits also shine in administrative or clerical roles, or even in somewhat unexpected fields such as interior design.

One of the hurdles that ISFJ personalities are likely to encounter in the professional environment is that it is quite difficult for an ISFJ to “advertise” their achievements. People with this personality type are prone to understating them, which leads to lack of recognition, missed promotions and various misunderstandings. ISFJs should not shy away from revealing how much they have done – not only this would prevent stressful situations, but the ISFJ would become more confident in their abilities and personality traits. It is not sufficient to simply know that you have done a great job – ISFJs also need to feel appreciated in order to remain enthusiastic. The fact that this personality type tends to be less visible than others does not help in such situations either.

ISFJs should also pay more attention to their workload and not hesitate to voice their concerns if it becomes unbearable. ISFJs tend to overload themselves with work, but their kindness is abused just as often as it is respected. As a cynic would say, everyone is secretly an egoist – and the ISFJ personality is the perfect target for those who do not hesitate to use other people for their own gain. ISFJs are extraordinarily loyal, committed and patient – they should make sure that these traits do not expose them to exploitation.

People with the ISFJ personality type often have very good memory and exceptional imagination. These traits can manifest themselves in a variety of ways. For instance, an ISFJ can easily notice discrepancies in someone’s story when the person repeats it again after a long period of time; ISFJs also find it very easy to choose the right gifts for persons they know well; finally, they may have no difficulties whatsoever making and maintaining personal and professional connections simply because they remember so many details about other people’s lives and habits – a very unusual trait for an introvert.

I would like to expand on the last point a bit – even though most ISFJ personalities rarely have any difficulties fitting in and making new friends in the professional environment, they are unlikely to use those connections to advance to managerial roles. ISFJs function best when they work in a close-knit team, when there is no tension between the management and the employees. Some ISFJs even go as far as seeing all their colleagues as semi-personal friends and behaving accordingly. For instance, if an old colleague moves to another department, the ISFJ will definitely consider following their example.

People with this type are known for their meticulousness, patience, reliability and analytical skills. This is quite an unusual combination given that this is a Feeling (F) type, but this is exactly what makes ISFJs so effective. They are unlikely to offer or embrace completely new and radical ideas, or lead a team towards some big goal, but their determination and passion more than make up for it. ISFJs tend to be very traditional and can be expected to defend existing norms and procedures – however, they are not blinded by this and are generally open to change, provided that the new approach does not contradict their inner values and principles.

Despite their effectiveness in the workplace, ISFJs will always put their family first. They will embrace the idea that family members are the most important people in their environment and act accordingly, paying a lot of attention to their needs and desires, surprising them with gifts and offering emotional or practical support when it is needed.

That being said, ISFJ personalities should be aware of their tendency to overdo things, especially in the family environment. As ISFJs always try hard to exceed others’ expectations (especially when they are not sure what those expectations might be), their attention can be somewhat overbearing. Many personality types, especially more independent ones, are likely to get annoyed by this after a while. Furthermore, some personalities are naturally less sensitive compared to ISFJs – their reaction to that care and attention may differ from what the ISFJ would expect. This should not be taken personally – every type is unique and what is pleasant for an ISFJ may not feel natural for someone else.

Some famous ISFJs:
St. Teresa of Avila
Queen Elizabeth II
Robert E. Lee
Queen Mary I (“Bloody Mary”)
Samwise Gamgee from the Lord of the Rings
Bianca from Taming of the Shrew
Ophelia from Hamlet
Dr Watson, the partner of Sherlock Holmes

self care

so i am really trying to actually take care of myself.  eating healthier, exercise, spending time with friends, spending time alone, taking responsibility, learning, and letting go.  all that to say....being a grown up is hard work!  i started the 5k training app and that was a good kickstart for me to get some movement/exercise in my life.  i was going strong for a month and then my birthday hit.  that week did me in.  overindulged on sugar and foods.  i gave myself a week and now it's been almost two.  i have managed to still fit in some movement, but not the running.  i need to give myself credit for the things i have done.  i have fit in some walking, been doing pushups, and today i did the 7 minute workout.  7 minutes, may not seem long, but shit, it got me sweating!  the goal is to 'work out' 3 times a week.  this week i have gotten 2 workouts in without really trying.  so i must be doing something right.

be gentle

for months now, maybe even years, i have been losing myself.  i have gotten lost in my work and stress.  i have not had a life.  i want a life.  i want to enjoy all my time.  i want a job that i can leave at the end of the day and not take home with me.  i want to travel.  i want to make enough money to support my family.  i want to connect with friends.  i want to enjoy the time that i have.  i want to take better care of myself, physically, mentally, spiritually.  my goal is that in a year (at the latest), i will be more aligned and happy.

shifting your mind

how do you change your mind? my coping skills for dealing with stress is limited.  i keep coming back to the same way of thinking and it's the circular vortex of insanity i had when i was 18.  you would think that 20 years later, i would have learned something new.  but it seems that i haven't.

pity party

it's been really hard recently.  i can't seem to do anything right and i doubt everything.  i over think and over do, but am not intentional and so i keep fucking up.  i feel like i am running around trying to put out fires with a glass of water.  and in the end just end up burning myself.

i need to start with me, but somehow i have gotten lost along the way.  i hope i can find my way back.

A Few Words on the Soul--Wisława Szymborska

We have a soul at times.
No one’s got it non-stop,
for keeps.

Day after day,
year after year
may pass without it.

Sometimes
it will settle for awhile
only in childhood’s fears and raptures.
Sometimes only in astonishment
that we are old.

It rarely lends a hand
in uphill tasks,
like moving furniture,
or lifting luggage,
or going miles in shoes that pinch.

It usually steps out
whenever meat needs chopping
or forms have to be filled.

For every thousand conversations
it participates in one,
if even that,
since it prefers silence.

Just when our body goes from ache to pain,
it slips off-duty.

It’s picky:
it doesn’t like seeing us in crowds,
our hustling for a dubious advantage
and creaky machinations make it sick.

Joy and sorrow
aren’t two different feelings for it.
It attends us
only when the two are joined.

We can count on it
when we’re sure of nothing
and curious about everything.

Among the material objects
it favors clocks with pendulums
and mirrors, which keep on working
even when no one is looking.

It won’t say where it comes from
or when it’s taking off again,
though it’s clearly expecting such questions.

We need it
but apparently
it needs us
for some reason too.

shit storm

when one things falls, apparently everything else goes down with it.  i feel like i am in some wormhole where everything shitty that can happen is happening right now.  first of all, this started with me recognizing that i need some time off work so i took a few days off this week and planned a longer trip in may.  once i took those steps to take care of myself apparently it set off an avalanche of shit.

first i find out my grandma dies.  with that apparently my uncles are being complete jerks to my mom and it's all just so messed up.  and now all these things are piling up at work and i don't know how to deal with them.  i feel like i am responding to things and all my responses are wrong.  i know feelings are irrational, but it just feels like right now no matter what i do, it's just not right or good enough.

hopefully this shit storm is a short one.