ISFJ

I made the most interesting discovery the other day: I'm an introvert!

For those of you who know me, this may not come as a surprise, but realizing that fact gave me lots of insight into myself. The RAD team took the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator last week. Essentially it is a series of questions about our actions and preferences in different situations. The results give us an idea of our personality and why we do what we do. I am an ISFJ, which stands for Introvert-Sensor-Feeler-Judger. As an introvert I am drained by being in large groups and need to take a break to recharge. The sensor in me likes facts and the specifics about a question. As a feeler I prefer harmony to conflict and don't like to do things that upset others. Finally, the judger in me (no, I'm not judgmental) dictates that I wake up in the morning and know what my day will look like, which frequently comes from making lists and sticking to them. Here is the perfect quote about me from an article about ISFJs: "Above all else, ISFJs take responsibility very seriously and very personally; they have a powerful work ethic...Because they are so conscientious ISFJs can be difficult to distract from a task to which they have committed themselves."

Being able to identify these things as personality traits has been extremely helpful for me, especially while living in community with seven other people. I understand why I don't like to be in large groups all the time, or why I'm so obsessed with making lists. I've realized that I don't have to try to be loud or funny to "measure up" to my mostly extroverted housemates. I am who I am; God has made me for a purpose and has given me exactly the personality he wants me to have.