Energy (Personality Type)
The Achiever
I am a type 3 on the enneagram, The Success-Oriented, Pragmatic Type:Adaptable, Excelling, Driven, and Image-Conscious. So I come by my energy partly to fulfill all of that success-oriented drive that I have. Definitely that is the upside of being a three, but just like all of the types, there are plenty of downsides.
All the image oriented stuff. Ugh – yeah – at times that can be me. And the "never ever admit you might have a flaw" stuff. Yep – me also.
Threes are excellent at getting things done. I have a ton of energy and am always up for doing stuff. The flip side is I’m less adept and relaxing. This year I made creating space a priority and in addition to my (near) daily yoga practice I look for ways to slow down and relax. Finding a boyfriend that lives in the mountains has been a big help in that direction.
Myers-Briggs Type Indicator
The photo at the top of this post is of 3 new catalog covers that feature images of my artwork (Structures #14, Structures #11 and Structures #46). The catalogs are teaching resources for a company that does a lot of Myers-Briggs training and testing.
I love this personality type stuff so was thrilled with they asked for images earlier this year. I just got the completed catalog covers in the mail this week.
I’m an INTJ the Myers-Briggs world. Which explains all of my planning and list making skills. And my geek side. My natural preference is to be organized and efficient which amplifies my energy as I rarely waste much of it:
INTJs are ambitious, self-confident, deliberate, long-range thinkers. They dislike messiness and inefficiency, and anything that is muddled or unclear. They value clarity and efficiency, and will put enormous amounts of energy and time into consolidating their insights into structured patterns.
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INTJs have a tremendous amount of ability to accomplish great things. They have insight into the Big Picture, and are driven to synthesize their concepts into solid plans of action.
Playing to Strengths
There are a lot of people that find these personality indicators to be a bunch of junk and admittedly there is no scientific proof they are accurate. But I believe they are useful in helping to identify patterns and preferences and when used to aid in personal growth they can be extremely valuable.
This information can be used to identify the positive parts of my natural inclinations. Knowing what I might be good at is helpful in taking those those strengths and expanding them.
Not an Excuse
Even more helpful is understanding my weaknesses so I have a reference point for how to move forward past those potential road blocks.
It’s easy to read personality type indicators like the enneagram or myers-briggs and use it as a way of staying stuck. Easy to think "Oh well I a _____, might as well accept this is the way I am" and just be that way.
While I don’t think I can change who I am fundamentally, I know I can change my thoughts and my attitude and the past year I’ve done a lot in that direction.
Using these tests as an excuse for bad behavior or using them to limit my choices or abilities is not acceptable.
Posted by Lisa in: About Me
Tagged: attitude, choices, clarity, energy, enneagram, Getting Things Done, intj, myers briggs type indicator, personality type, planning, success
CONGRATULATIONS on those FAB catalogue covers!!!
Your pieces look GREAT on them.
Never thought about companies uses images of artwork………now you have me thinking.
I’ll never forget the time I discovered the “Do What You Are” book which features the Myers-Briggs personality typing in helping to find a suitable career.I had never heard of personality typing before and it was a major revelation for me. Thanks for the reminder.
congrats on the covers! very cool…
What a great way to get your artwork exposed to a wider audience!
I am an INTJ too. I’ve never heard of an enneagram before. I did the freebie version but the results were inconclusive. I might just have to try to full version.
It is very true how we can be empowered by observing concrete results.Years ago when I tested using Meyers Briggs I tested INTJ as well. I found my old tests a few weeks ago in a box of papers.
The covers are fabulous, your work is perfect!
I really need to read your blog more regularly…I’m putting you in my daily reads file. I’m a type 7, ENFJ….I have no clue what that means. But I am interested in finding out. You write about the most interesting topics.
And BTW, I love your “home” pieces and congrats on your artwork on the covers….so nice.
(from your facebook friend. :)
Brenda and Robin – woohoo – more female INTJs! Yay.
Dale, Natalya and Susan – Thanks for the congrats on the book covers. Way cool to see my art published. And way cool to be paid for it. Yep Dale – they do use art!
Margaret – try this link for some general info: http://www.personalitypage.com/ENFJ.html – and thanks!
Serendiptously someone posted a type on my Facebook, so I put in INTJ and there are two INTJ groups, so I joined both for fun!
As wonderful as it is to see works in person, there’s something special seeing it in print, too! Congrats!
I’d have to look up where I landed in the M-B years ago. I always took them (personality tests) as a way to find out how I worked best (especially with others – which is not my forte), instead of the excuse route of how I couldn’t work.