I'm an ENFP!

Today in my Hixson scholar seminar, we actually talked about something that was interesting and cool. Very exciting, I know. So, right, we filled out this worksheet- "Verifying Your Type Preferences," so we had to mark where on a line we think we fit when it comes to the following four categories (based on descriptions given to us about each):

1. Extraversion (E) vs. Introversion (I)
2. Sensing (S) vs. Intuition (N)
3. Thinking (T) vs. Feeling (F)
4. Judging (J) vs. Perceiving (P)

So from that, I ended up being the type ENFP (Extraversion, Intuition, Feeling, Perceiving). There are 16 types in all, and I will not be naming them all, haha, but yes there are 16 different combinations!

Then, we were each handed a report from this thing we had filled out a couple weeks ago, called the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator Instrument. It's supposed to be a very accurate indicator of our psychological type, not perfect, but accurate. The report ALSO indicated that I am the ENFP type! it was just weird to me that both times I turned out the same, so I guess I must know myself pretty well if I answered the same way for each exercise. Anyway, this report gave us an in-depth description of our psychological type. I read the back sheet of the packet that summarized everything about the ENFP type, and it completely amazed me as I read it because it was like I was reading something describing Emily Joann Ryan Sexton, not just some type, but... they freaking described who I am, like it's an exact fit. It was just crazy! so I thought it was so cool, I'm gonna post it here--

At Their Best-
For people w/ ENFP preferences, life is a creative adventure full of exciting possibilities. ENFPs are keenly perceptive about people and insightful about the present and future. They experience a wide range of feelings and intense emotions (so, so, so true). They need affirmation from others and readily give appreciation and support.
ENFPs are good at understanding how people and groups work and are persuasive and compelling in pursuing what is important to them. They are adaptable, blooming where they are planted. Their energy and enthusiasm encourage others to bloom as well.

Characteristics of ENFPs:
ENFPs are innovators, initiating projects and directing great energy into getting them under way. Using intution primarily externally, they are stimulated by new people, ideas, & experiences. They find meaning and significance readily and see connections that others don't. They are likely to be

• curious, creative, and imaginative
• energetic, enthusiastic, and spontaneous

ENFPs value harmony & goodwill. They like to please others and will adapt to others' needs and wishes when possible (oh gosh, BIG people-pleaser right here...). ENFPs primarily use feeling internally, making decisions by applying personal values through identification & empathy with others. ENFPs are likely to be

• warm, friendly, and caring
• cooperative and supportive

ENFPs have exceptional insight into possibilities in others and the energy and motivation to help actualize them. They feel confident moving ahead based on their insights, and their enthusiasm tends to bring others along with them.

How Others May See Them-
ENFPs are usually lively, gregarious, and sociable, with a large circle of friends (ok, check, check, check, aaand check). They are interested in almost everything and bring a zest to life that draws others to them. At the same time, they value depth and authenticity in their close relationships and direct great energy to creating and supporting open and honest communication (this is me for sure!).
ENFPs hate routine, schedules, and structure and usually manage to avoid them (hahaha..yeah). They are normally verbally fluent, even in extemporaneous situations; however, when their deepest values need expression, they may suddenly be awkward and express their judgments with uncharacteristic intensity. Others usually see ENFPs as

• personable, perceptive, and persuasive
• enthusiastic, spontaneous, and versatile
• giving and seeking affirmation

Potential Areas for Growth-
Sometimes life circumstances have not supported ENFPs in the development and expression of their feeling and intuitive preferences.

1. if they haven't developed their Feeling, they may go from enthusiasm to enthusiasm, never committing the energy necessary to actualize their insights, or they may make overly personal decisions (mmhmm..).
2. if they haven't developed their Intuition, they may fail to take in enough information, lack trust in their own insights, be uncertain, and accept others' perceptions too quickly.

If ENFPs don't find a place where they can use their gifts and be appreciated for their contributions, they usually feel frustrated (incredibly true), and may

• become scattered, have trouble focusing, be easily distracted
• fail to follow through on decisions
• become rebellious, excessively nonconforming (hmm yeah that's NEVER happened before... ;-) haha).
• ignore deadlines and procedures

It is natural for ENFPs to give less attention to their non-preferred Sensing and Thinking parts. If they neglect these too much, however, they may

• not take care of the details and routine required for implementing their inspirations
• overextend themselves--have trouble saying no to interesting possibilities and people
• fail to apply reason and logic to assess their inspirations and decisions (uh huh, yup).

Under great stress, ENFPs may become overwhelmed by detail and lose their normal perspective and sense of options. Then they tend to focus on an unimportant or distorted detail, letting it become the central fact of their universe.

Another summary of ENFPs:
Warmly enthusiastic planners of change; imaginative, individualistic; pursue inspiration with impulsive energy (OH YEAH!); seek to understand and inspire others. With extraverted intuition as the strongest mental process, they are at their best when caught in the enthusiasm of a project, sparking others to see its benefits. They value:

• the surge of inspirations; the pull of emerging possibilities
• a life of variety, people, warm relationships
• following their insights wherever they lead
• finding meanings behind the facts (oh yes!)
• creativity, originality, a fresh perspective
• an optomistic, positive, enthusiastic view of life (thaaaat's me!!)
• flexibility and openness
• exploring, devising and trying out new things
• open-ended opportunities and options
• freedom from the requirement of being practical (haha, yeah...)
• learning through action, variety, and discovery
• a belief that any obstacles can be overcome (it's only like my life motto..)
• a focus on people's potentials
• brainstorming to solve problems
• work made light and playful by inspiration

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Pretty cool, huh? I thought so. That's me!!! I was creeped out by how incredibly exact these descriptions are of how I learn, what I value, etc. Yeah, so, pretty freakin' sweet! That's all I've got. Love.