Perhaps a friendly recital of my flaws will inspire change

Recently did a quickie personality quiz that seems to be a not-bad “lite” version of Myers Briggs. I’ve been Myers-Briggsed before more thoroughly, but as with reading a literary work, it seems you get something different out of the experience every time you come at it, depending on where you are in your life at that moment.

This time I found it useful for pointing out my failings in a very cushioned way — damned nearly obsequious, in fact. If you are an Internet psychology quiz, it probably behooves you not to insult the people who are reading their results, so I see why it might couch everything in flattering terms. Heck, that might be why I actually read all the results this time (see Weakness No. 1, below).

Short version: Seems like a good quiz and my results were accurate enough that I’m preserving them here for reference because I want to see if reviewing my faults AS A PART of my overall personality allows me to work on them without getting into a ball of despair about my lack of willpower and other moral failings (see Weaknesses Nos. 2, 4, 5 and 1, below).

This does not entirely fit me (I’m known for camping inside my comfort zone for years on end, etc., and “popular and friendly” makes me cringe, but anybody with 2,000 Twitter cohorts probably ought to just shut up and go “OK” at this point). But some parts are frighteningly dead on (“small talk”!) and there are undoubtedly other things here that explain the difficulties my loved ones have been coping with for years.

And as I say, my hope is that viewing my own flaws as part of a more-or-less integrated whole will allow me to go, “OK, I don’t like that part of myself, but it comes with this part I do like, so maybe I quit beating myself up for lacking moral fiber and just get on with balancing the checkbook.”

ENFP strengths

• Observant. ENFP personalities believe that there are no irrelevant details or actions. They try to notice everything, seeing all events as part of a big, mysterious puzzle called life.
• Very popular and friendly. ENFPs are altruistic and cooperative, doing their best to be empathic and friendly in every situation. They can get along with nearly everyone and usually have a large circle of friends and acquaintances.
• Energetic and enthusiastic. ENFPs are always eager to share their ideas with other people and get their opinions in return. Their enthusiasm is contagious and very inspiring at the same time.
• Know how to relax. People with this personality type know how to switch off and have fun, simply experiencing life and everything it has to offer. Their wild bursts of enthusiastic energy can often surprise even their closest friends.
• Excellent communicators. ENFPs tend to have great people skills, and they instantly know how to present their ideas in a convincing way. They can handle both small talk and deep, meaningful conversations, although the ENFP’s definition of small talk may be somewhat unusual—they will steer the conversation toward ideas rather than weather, gossip, etc.
• Curious. ENFPs are very imaginative and open-minded. They enjoy trying out new things and do not hesitate to go outside their comfort zone if necessary.

ENFP weaknesses

• Highly emotional. ENFP personalities tend to have very intense emotions, seeing them as an inseparable part of their identity. This may often cause the ENFP to react strongly to criticism, conflicts, or tension.
• May have poor practical skills. ENFPs are brilliant when it comes to solving problems, creating processes, or initiating projects (especially if they involve other people). However, they are likely to find it difficult to follow through and deal with the practical, administrative side of things.
• Overthink things. ENFPs always look for hidden motives and tend to overthink even the simplest things, constantly asking themselves why someone did what they did and what that might mean.
• Get stressed easily. ENFPs are very sensitive and care deeply about other people’s feelings. This can cause them a lot of stress sometimes: people often look to them for guidance and encouragement, and the ENFP cannot always say “yes.”
• Find it difficult to focus. People with the ENFP personality type lose interest quickly if their project shifts toward routine, administrative matters. They may not be able to stop their mind from wandering off.
• Very independent. ENFPs loathe being micromanaged or restrained by rules and guidelines. They want to be seen as highly independent individuals, masters of their own fates.