Gallup Strengths Test

  Last week my entire class took the Gallup StrengthsFinder Test. After we took the test a guest speaker came in to discuss our results.

1 - Intellection

2 - Input

3 - Adaptability

4 - Empathy

5 - Futuristic 

  My first strength is intellection. Gallup states "a mental hum is one of the constants of your life". This is incredibly applicable to me. I am always thinking about something. My mind doesn't stop. I am not the loudest in group conversations, but I am listening. Listening and thinking. Sometimes this can be a downfall, but most of the time I think I see it as a strength. Gallup also states that I see time alone as an opportunity for "musing and reflection". I am quite introspective and my mind is always buzzing about something. 

  My second strength is input. I have always had many interests. Ever since I was little I've gone through "phases". One week I was an expert on the deep sea, the next day I was an expert on Harry Potter. I've always joked that I'm not really good at any one thing, just mediocre at a ton of little things. I tend to collect small bits of useless information, the stuff that is only useful on every other Jeopardy episode or while playing Trivia Crack, but this is kind of the epitome of "Input". Gallup states that collecting a variety of information "acquiring, compelling and filing stuff away...keeps your mind fresh". This would probably explain why I can never seem to delete photos off my phone (what if I need that blurry picture of a smiling dog later?) and why I smiled and nodded sheepishly when the speaker asked if anyone had a never ending music archive.

Adaptability is my third strength. I remember one time my cousin decided to take my sister and I out to eat. We spent a good 30 minutes deciding on what restaurant because the only answer my sister and I could come up with when prompted with "where do you want to eat?" was "I don't care". I'm a pretty go-with-the-flow person. If something is goes awry my thought process is typically 1. *Mildly freaks out* 2. *Realizes that freaking out won't help* 3. *Accepts the issue and convinces self that it is for the better*.  Gallup describes those with adaptability as people who "see [the future] as a place that you create out of the choices that you make right now". 

My fourth strength is empathy. Gallup describes those with empathy as being able to "hear the unvoiced question...anticipate the need". I think that I'm pretty good at picking up the vibe other people are giving off. I can be pretty intuitive and can easily put myself in other people's shoes. I don't always necessarily agree with the other person, but I can see where they're coming from. Seeing situations from other's perspective is a strength that benefits myself and others.

Futuristic is my fifth strength. I think this is strange considering adaptability is also one of my strengths, but it makes sense. Even though I like to take things as they come I'm also always looking to the future. Gallup states "you are a dreamer...the future energizes you". Sometimes it's the little things like getting to wear a new shirt or overnight french toast, but something is always pulling me towards tomorrow. 

My Personality Type

My Personality Type

    My Myers-Briggs personality type is ENFJ.  This is the second least common of personality types. 3% of the population have this personality. People with this personality type are often in tune with the emotion of others and themselves. Those with an ENFJ personality have an idealistic, ambitious way of thinking. It is common that they are looked to as "inspiring leaders". Celebrities with this personality type are Martin Luther King Jr, Peyton Manning, Dick Van Dyke and Johnny Depp. 
 

The description of this personality describes me fairly well. People with an ENFJ personality are optimistic and forward thinking. I always try to find the good in every situation, despite any poor circumstances. I am also very idealistic and my mindset is focused constantly on the future. I find it strange that powerful leaders such as Martin Luther King Jr. share my personality type because sometimes I find it hard to lead. I aspire to be a strong and inspiring leader, but I feel like it's something I can still improve upon. 

   

People who have an ENFJ personality like to maintain healthy relationships and can become exhausted if they are surrounded by too much negative emotion. This is probably the most accurate description of me. If I am surrounded by too much negative energy I become drained. This prompted me to cut out the toxic influences in my life. People with an ENFJ personality are very, if not overly empathetic. This clarifies why I have such a strong compassion for everything. I feel having an ENFJ personality also explains my love for words. I love how books and songs are written. They way words give us the power to communicate in so many different ways is crazy. It's fascinating how 26 letters in the alphabet have such a power over us. ENFJ personalities typically find communication to be key and use words to connect with others. 

    The Truity website defines a person with an ENFJ personality as a teacher. I find this funny because I intend to become a college english professor. I want to be able to motivate and support people and being a teacher is a great way for me to achieve this. Sometimes it's hard for me to find my voice in a group, but when I do I give 110%. It's extremely important to me that I reach and help others reach their maximum potential. I also find it ironic that Myers-Briggs describe the ENFJ personality as an "inspiring leader" because I am working towards becoming an ambassador for an organization called Team Inspire. 

   People with the ENFJ personality sometimes over exaggerate their words to produce their desired effect. I do this a lot, as hyperboles are a part of my everyday language. This could be confused with wanting attention or ignorance. I am not ignorant I just find that exaggerations are a part of speech I am comfortable with, but I think it has just become habit for me to exaggerate everything. 

   Through discovering I have an ENFJ personality type I have come to the realization that I really do aspire to become a teacher. This personality type explains my compassion and empathetic attitude towards situations and why I have such a concern with reaching my full potential. It also qualifies my idealistic mindset and why I tend to live in the future.