How to Understand Personality Types: Don't Skip This Post!
Understanding your Personality: How it can change your life and your career.
Have you ever wondered why you don’t enjoy certain homework assignments, work projects, classes at school, social functions, or your career in general? There are some things that we can ‘feel’ about a situation, but others that are actually scientific. This is the BIG question that plagued me last year when I began to think hard about what I wanted to do with my career long-term. I was unsatisfied in my job, but WHY? There is so much that can be learned from gathering information about our personalities. We can do this introspectively by writing down things we like and dislike, but that will only take you so far. I have taken all but one of the following tests (will be taking DISC later this year), and it spurred me to launch this website!
1) For understanding your behavioral patterns:
Many of you are already familiar with the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI), the personality typing system created by Katharine Briggs and her daughter, Isabel Myers. 16 possible personality types to predict your hobbies, career, social circles and more. While this test is great, we recommend the other resources below as well.
Here is a free link to take the Myers Briggs test
2) For understanding your natural talents and skills
StrengthsFinders: Develop your strengths because they are awesome!
You need to purchase the book to get your access code in order to take the test. It gives you a lengthy summary on your top 5 strengths and another report on application. We recommend focusing on these qualities over the Myers Brigs personality test.
This test is amazing because it helps you understand your best traits and natural talents and encourages you to understand them for application. Its great for teams to understand how to work with each other, or families who might have conflict. Everyone should take this test. It’s so satisfying to know what traits you can really focus on and what type of work will be really enjoyable.
3) For understanding natural talents to apply to your Career and Hobbies:
Johnson O’Connor Aptitude Test: This test changed my life! I will be posting about it soon...stay soon.
Check out the Johnson O'Connor Research Foundation to see if there is a center near you
“The primary purpose of taking aptitude tests is to find areas in which you have ability. It has been our experience that people tend to be more satisfied and successful in occupations that challenge their aptitudes and do not demand aptitudes that they lack.
Our aptitude testing program assists you in discovering the course of study and the type of work that will fit your aptitude pattern; it will help you to understand why certain courses of study and occupations are likely to be more satisfying or rewarding than others. As Johnson O'Connor put it many years ago:
The individual who knows his own aptitudes, and their relative strengths, chooses more intelligently among the world's host of opportunities.”
4) For communication and relationships: The 5 Love Languages
Take the test and find the book here
So many of my friends and family love this revealing test. It helps us understand how we show love and receive love in relationships and how we can better use these insights to strengthen our relationships with friends and loved ones. Highly recommend this book and test!
5) For understanding your behavior and communication style: DISC Profiles
D = Dominant (Active DISC Style, Task-Oriented)
I = Influential (Active DISC Style, People-Oriented)
S = Steady (Passive DISC Style, People-Oriented)
C = Conscientious (Passive DISC Style, Task-Oriented)
This is the new MBTI. It’s shorter and has less buckets of personalities (4) and is used a lot in corporate settings. It will give you insights and opportunities for your personal growth and success. Great for any type of team, organization, relationship or family to take!
Bonus! Book-Personal Intelligence and How it Shapes our Lives: John D. Mayer
John D. Mayer, the renowned psychologist who co-developed the groundbreaking theory of emotional intelligence, now draws on decades of cognitive psychology research to introduce another paradigm-shifting idea: that in order to become our best selves, we use an even broader intelligence-which he calls personal intelligence-to understand our own personality and the personalities of the people around
Before you do any personal developement this year, please take at least one of these tests and start learning where you can shine. You deserve to know what makes you unique to this world girl!
With gratitude,
Ari
If you liked this post, please subscribe to the blog to receive a notification when a new post is published!
This is not a sponsored post. All suggestions and ideas are mine. All pictures have been taken by contributers unless otherwise noted. Please inquire if you desire to use any content of this post. Link Back to this post or tag @arianatravelstead for Instagram and @arianatravelsteadblog on Facebook