2 weeks ago I knew nothing about the Myers Briggs test. I was a regular gal going about my day to day life, fixing things, figuring out stuff and eating potato chips. Sometimes I'd break for 5 minutes to pet my cats.
Now I am thinking of marrying the Myers Briggs test. It will be a simple ceremony. Just me, the test and probably a few reporters because someone marrying a test is kind of big news. Once when I was working on the Jerry Springer show someone tried to marry a horse, but I don't think anyone has ever married a test before. A test is a much smarter thing to marry since it can't kick you in the head plus you don't need to have its feet looked after.
In case you missed my post from last week where I introduced the Myers Briggs test here's a little rundown. The Myers Briggs assessment puts all people into 1 of 16 categories based on how they feel and react to different situations basically. Each person fits into one of those categories which are each represented by 4 letters.
Confused yet? I'm doing an excellent job of making something very simple seem very confusing. I'm good like that.
Your type is decided by whether you are an Introvert or an Extrovert. A Sensing person or an Intuitive person. A Thinking of Feeling person. And finally a Judging or Perceiving person.
Here's the test if you weren't around to take it when I wrote about it a couple of weeks ago.
These are the 16 types and just some random one word description of the type.
This is a *slightly* more in depth look at the types.
So ... I'm an INTJ. Which means I’m an Introverted, Intuitive, Thinking and Judging kind of person. I found that out 2 weeks ago, prior to my whirlwind engagement to the test. That's just the most basic assessment of the type. There are pages and pages written about whatever type you are. Everything from how to deal with people who aren't your type to what kind of job you should have because of your type.
INTJs are very rare. How rare? Female INTJs are the rarest of all the personality types. I am a female INTJ.
0.5% of all woman are INTJ. And only 1.5% of the entire population (men and women included) are INTJ.
Which makes my next statement extraordinary.
28% of The Art of Doing Stuff readers who took the test were INTJ. Statistically that means pretty much every INTJ female out there is reading this website. Even the men were INTJs. Like reader Cussot said, this site is an INTJ magnet.
Here's a rundown of all the types that read my site and took the test the other week so you can see how rare or popular your type is around these parts.
I'm thinking of wearing white. Don't judge.
As it turns out, Penelope Trunk, the woman whose test I linked to last week caught wind of my post and read it along with all of the comments. She emailed me to say #1 she was AMAZED at how many INTJs were hiding out here and #2 she asked if she could interview me during one of her Myers Briggs online courses about being an INTJ who is running her own business.
Penelope holds online video courses, many of which are on the Myers Briggs types. She let me watch one of them last week so I could learn more about what it means to be an INTJ. What my assets are, where I might have trouble. Apparently an INTJ is brilliant, can get almost anything, is pretty much always right ... but everyone hates to work with them. So it's a good thing I work alone. Mainly because I think most other people are incompetent. Also not my fault ... just a trait of being an INTJ.
When I told Penelope how much I loved her video course I blurted out that I'd like to share it with you folks. Penelope runs these seminars for money. For cash money. It's her job. So to ask her to let you watch one for free was kind of pushing my luck but she agreed.
So for the first time ever, for just The Art of Doing Stuff community, here is one of Penelope Trunk's videos on the different Myers Briggs types and what they mean. In this particular course she talks about which personality types are the complete nut jobs, which types are most likely to commit which type of crime and other fun and interesting things that pretty much every person should know.
Click here to watch Penelope Trunks Personalty Type Master Class - Session 1
You'll be asked for a password. The password is "stuff" (don't include the quotes)
Like it? Addicted to it? Need more? I know the feeling. And I know a LOT of you were interested in this when I posted about it. Here's the link if you're interested in taking this course from Penelope, which is The Personality Type Master Class. Understand you, your coworkers, your family, everyone! And learn to deal with them better.
So the interview! Penelope is hosting another course specifically for INTJs. It's a 4 day live, online video course called Best Practices for Leveraging INTJ strengths. She will be interviewing me during one of them. You wanna learn more about it? Maybe sign up for it? You can do so here.
Not an INTJ? Don't worry. If we were all INTJs the world would be a boring (though incredibly productive) place. If you liked the look of it you can take the
Now go away. I have a wedding to plan.
[shareaholic app="share_buttons" id="5342563"]
Sue
Darn! This was a new version of the test for me, so in answering I thought...."Maybe I'll be something different and surprise myself!" Regardless, I'm still INFJ. Have been since first testing 25 years ago. Will be to eternity, I guess.
Lizzie
I meant to comment on your last post, and now I realize that I should have! Representing at least one more ENFP here! I have known this for quite awhile, but took the test again, and it's interesting to look at the questions with the perspective of having worked on 'growth' items. Like finishing things... and follow through...
Lynn Johannson
I have taken the test 5-6 times over the last 20 years and come out E/INTJ every time. E/I, one to three points on either side of the line depending on how I'm feeling. Add me to your stats, INTJs are coming out of the woodwork!
Carol Hogan
I, too, am INTJ. I've known about the test for many years. I thought it was 3% of the population. Sorry to hear it's even less. I've always known that a lot of people didn't "get" me, but I've grown comfortable in the knowledge. Anyway, nice to meet you. At least you understand me and I you. Now if only I could have some chickens we could be soul sistas.
Kat
OMG and I thought I was an odd duck and didn't fit in anywhere. I've found my home (and my favorite website)! Another INTJ here although I must admit my I and J are almost 100% but the N and T can waver back and forth depending on the day I take the Meyers-Briggs. Weird, I know but what do you expect from someone who is confident they are INTJ 99% of the time.
Jane
I too took the test a couple of weeks ago when you first published the blog. I was not surprised to find that I was also an INTJ. I took a seminar years ago with similar results; your type really doesn’t change much over a 25 year span. Thought I would test it again today and retook the test again, yes, still INTJ. Somethings never change!
Love your blog, thanks!
Carolyn
I took this test years ago at a company team building retreat. I cannot for the life of me remember what type it said I am, only that it pointed to the fact that I would not work well with most of my coworkers. I hated most of my coworkers at the time. So I got a different job. Lol!
In any case, you got my curiosity up about what type I was and I just went and took the test you linked to.
You are not going to believe me, but it tells me I am also an INTJ!!
Haha!
Another female INTJ here.
We are killing the statistics.
Beth
Just catching up and took the test, I am an ENFJ and have to agree with the outcome. Fun to take and insightful. Thanks for sharing.
Sandra
I couldn't finish watching it. Who cares? lol INTP here.
Pam Jones
It's so great to see other INTJ's. I am in a corporate job and feel so alone most of the time. I always want to say "quit trying to hug me and let's get this done!" Verbal hugs, of course.
Patty
I took the test when you first posted it and today I took it again. The first time I took it I was a ENTJ the second time I took it I was a INTJ. I find this pretty interesting because in general I prefer to be an introvert but I push myself outside my bubble to be more social. So at the beginning of the week (first time I took the test was on a Monday) I like people and I want to socialize, by the middle of the week I hate everyone and want to be by my self (took the 2nd test on a Friday).
Lisa
I'm an ESTJ, so we're not at 0% anymore! WOOT
I didn't comment because I was too busy supervising something. That's another word for 'bossy', isn't it?
Although I think I'm trending more toward ISTJ as I'm getting older.
Evelyn
I'm an ESTJ as well. We're rare among the rare.
Sarah
I'm an INTJ too... And man, can I relate to, "Mainly because I think most other people are incompetent." Hah!
In my first formal job review in a grown-up job, I actually got, "Doesn't suffer fools lightly." By age 46, I figure I have "committed" self-improvement to the point where I can now suffer fools (barely), unless they are ARROGANT fools!!
Rebecca
I used to dream about a world where it was just a bunch of "me's" living it, I think by "me's", I meant INTJ's. (before I knew I was an INTJ)
Ann Brookens
I came up ISFP. I guessed that is what I was just from choosing between the descriptors you listed first and the test confirmed it!
Jen
Another INTJ. For years I have know this. I have decided to stop fighting it and am actually trying to get my own business going.
Jen
Opps I meant INFJ not T!
Must not post when I am tired...
Jane S
I remember doing this when I was teaching. I don't remember what I was but all the special ed teachers were in one group and all the math teachers were in another.
Susan Core
Raising your percentage slightly. INTJ also.
Susan Core
Raising your percentage slightly. INTO also.
Leslie Zuroski
I really liked that Master Class, Im looking into signing up. I think this will help me figure some stuff out!