Lessons I Never Thought I'd Learn from Personality Tests

There are many personality tests out there: Enneagram, 16Personalities, BodyGraph, and Myer-Briggs Type Indicator, to name a few. I am kind of a personality test junkie, as I feel there is something I can learn from each of them. I’ve included a few lessons I’ve learned from my favorite tests.

Understand Others

One typically takes a personality test to learn about themselves, but there is also a lot to learn about others and how we all are uniquely made, so it would only make sense that we operate differently. The Myers-Briggs website explains it as: "Perception involves all the ways of becoming aware of things, people, happenings, or ideas. Judgment involves all the ways of coming to conclusions about what has been perceived. If people differ systematically in what they perceive and in how they reach conclusions, then it is only reasonable for them to differ correspondingly in their interests, reactions, values, motivations, and skills."

Discover Your Weaknesses

This isn’t the first time I’ve talked about the Enneagram Test, but I love it so much, I’m going to talk about it again. This article from Glitter Guide explains it well about how your Enneagram number can give you insight on your creativity. Each number has something they can work on; whether it’s taking another project on, turning the next project down, having confidence in your abilities, or taking more risks. Everyone I talk to feels like their Enneagram number is spot on, I really trust the insight here and enjoy using it to pin down my areas of weakness.

Reassure “Odd” Behavior

As an “Advocator” within 16Personalities, they state that Advocators are more likely to have fears they know are irrational than any other type. Glad to know I’m not the only one afraid to drive over bridges or walk in basements. It doesn’t make sense, people, and we know this! This test also measures how you interact with your environment, how you direct your mental energy, and how confident you are in decision-making skills. This one gives great feedback and suggestions.

Increase Productivity

The newest test I heard about is the BodyGraph or Human Design Chart - based on birth date, time and location, this test infers that you have a set way of using energy. The test teaches you how to use this information to be more productive. This test offers techniques you can practice and teaches ways you can use your intuition more effectively.

I think this goop article sums it up best: “We have all of these mental stories about how we cannot be ourselves. Just simply understanding how you are hardwired is so helpful. We are not designed to be alike!”

What have you learned from personality tests?

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