Navigating Life’s Twists and Turns with the Briggs-Myers Personality Types

Introduction

         Imagine this: You’re in your late 30s, standing at a crossroads, feeling and holding space for excitement and uncertainty. You’ve been walking a familiar path, but now you’re questioning if it’s truly the right one. That was me not too long ago. I felt a powerful urge to realign my work with my true purpose. Amidst the swirling thoughts and emotions, I discovered the magic of the Briggs-Myers personality types. This tool became one of my guiding lights through the fog of career change. But the adventure didn’t stop there – these personality insights also breathed new life into my relationships and how I move through the world! Let’s dive into the fascinating world of personality types and see how they can help us navigate career shifts and deepen our connections with the people around us.

The Theory Behind Personality Types: Jung’s Influence

         Let’s take a quick trip back in time to the roaring 1920s. Enter Carl Gustav Jung, the Swiss psychiatrist who changed how we think about personalities. Jung’s theory proposed that people have inherent preferences in perceiving the world and making decisions. These preferences fall into categories like introversion vs. extroversion and thinking vs. feeling, among others. Fast forward to World War II, when Katharine Cook Briggs and her daughter Isabel Briggs Myers took Jung’s ideas and turned them into the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI); they aimed to help folks find careers that suited their true selves. Talk about a mother-daughter power duo!

The 16 Personality Types

         Now, let’s break down the MBTI’s 16 personality types. Each type is a unique mix of four dichotomies: Introversion (I) vs. Extraversion (E), Sensing (S) vs. Intuition (N), Thinking (T) vs. Feeling (F), and Judging (J) vs. Perceiving (P). Each type has its quirks and strengths, making the world wonderfully diverse. (See link below for full assessment and type)

How MBTI Can Help with Career Changes

         Understanding your MBTI type can be incredibly beneficial when navigating career changes. Here are a few ways the system can assist:

 •   Self-awareness: Understanding your type gives you a crystal-clear view of your strengths and weaknesses. This self-knowledge is golden when you’re figuring out your next career move.
 •   Career Alignment: Some types naturally fit specific careers. ENFJs, for example, are often fantastic teachers and counselors, while ISTPs might thrive in hands-on, technical roles.
 •   Decision-Making: By knowing how you process information and make decisions, you can choose a career path that feels just right.
 •   Improved Communication: Being aware of your type helps you communicate better with your new boss and colleagues, easing the transition.

Enhancing Personal Relationships with Personality Types

But wait, there’s more! MBTI isn’t just for career stuff – it’s also a game-changer for your personal life.

 •   Better Understanding of Others: Knowing the types of your friends, family, and colleagues can help you understand why they do what they do. It’s like having a cheat sheet for harmonious relationships.
 •   Enhanced Team Dynamics: Understanding your team’s types can lead to better collaboration and productivity at work. Imagine everyone playing to their strengths!
 •   Improved Conflict Resolution: Personality insights can help you address issues with empathy and understanding when conflicts arise. Knowing if someone prefers direct communication or values harmony can make all the difference.
 •   Strengthening Personal Connections: Understanding personality types can deepen your bonds with loved ones. Appreciate their unique traits and watch your relationships blossom.

Jungian Roots and Practical Applications

         Here’s where it gets even cooler. The MBTI is like Jungian psychology’s fun, approachable cousin. Jung believed in understanding our deeper selves, balancing different parts of our psyche, and connecting with universal archetypes. The MBTI helps make these lofty ideas accessible and practical.

 •   Individuation Process: Jung talked about individuation – becoming the person you were always meant to be. Understanding your MBTI type is a step on this journey of self-discovery.
 •   Archetypes and Collective Unconscious: Jung’s archetypes are universal symbols. Your MBTI type can reveal which archetypes resonate with you, offering deeper self-insight.
 •   Therapeutic Application: Knowing a client’s MBTI type can tailor interventions to their personality, making the therapeutic process more effective and personalized.

Using Briggs-Myers in My Practice

         In my practice, I use the Briggs-Myers personality type as one of many tools, concepts, theories, and frameworks to help my clients navigate career changes and relationships. By understanding their personality types, my clients gain clarity on their strengths and preferences, which aids in career decisions and enhances their interactions with others.

MBTI in Popular Culture

         If you think the MBTI is just for career coaches and therapists, think again! A quick web search for personality types will yield hundreds of results, including fun and interesting articles. Ever wondered how to plan your wedding based on your personality type? Or maybe how does your running style align with your MBTI profile? And for the Harry Potter fans out there, there’s plenty of content on how your Hogwarts house matches your personality type. The MBTI has woven its way into popular culture, making it a serious tool for self-discovery and a playful way to explore different aspects of your life.

Conclusion

The Briggs-Myers personality types are like a Swiss Army knife for life – versatile and incredibly useful. Understanding your MBTI type can provide valuable insights, whether navigating a career change or looking to improve your relationships. Embrace your personality type and let it guide you to a more fulfilling, harmonious life. And don’t forget to have fun with it along the way – you never know what new aspects of yourself you might discover!

Find your type

For a full descriptions of the personality types and the assessment, visit: www.16personalities.com

References

Jung, C. G. (1921). Psychological Types. Zurich: Rascher Verlag. (Translated by H.G. Baynes in 1923).

By Ari Leal, Therapist

Book with Ari here: https://SouthTampaTherapyBOOKAPPT.as.me/AriLeal