The Myers-Briggs Trials (Don’t Try This At Home)
October 7th, 2008
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I mentioned before that I would start off my mini-retirement with a really wacky personal growth experiment. I originally got the idea from a series of ThunderCats episodes I saw in 1985, and I saw that it would tie in perfectly with my new ebook, The Personality Puzzle.
Does anyone remember the ThunderCats trials? Lion-O was the hereditary Lord of the ThunderCats, but he couldn’t be officially anointed until he passed his trials to prove his worth. He had to defeat each of the ThunderCats in their specialty, showing that he was stronger than Panthro, faster than Cheetara, more cunning than WilyKat and WilyKit, and had more mind power than Tygra.
I’ve decided to do something similar by subjecting myself to a series of trials involving the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator. For the next four weeks, I’ll be acting out my non-preferences, deliberately acting against my personality just to see what it’s like.
That means that I’ll be straying from my natural type of INTP to act like an ESFJ. That is,
- extraversion instead of introversion
- sensing instead of intuition
- feeling instead of thinking
- judging instead of perceiving
I’ll be acting out each of my non-preferences one at a time. Four weeks, four trials.
While this is in no way recommended, I wanted to see if I could survive a taste of the other side. We’re supposed to embrace our preferences instead of trying to change them, but I thought it would be interesting to see things from a different perspective. If I can make an honest effort each week to act out the appropriate type, I’ll consider myself to have passed the trials.
Although extraversion would come first if I did them in order, I was planning to save it for last, since I know it’s going to be the hardest. Wouldn’t it be a good idea to start with an easy one to get warmed up? But then I remembered that the ThunderCats made Lion-O start off against the mighty Panthro, the logic being “If you can’t get past him, there’s no point in going on.” Good point. Extraversion it is, then.
I’ll write a post at the beginning of each week to explain what I’m going to do, and then another post at the end of the week to recap it. I’ll link to these posts below.
Week 1: Extraversion (recap)
Week 2: Sensing (recap)
Week 3: Feeling (recap)
Week 4: Judging (recap)
The end: Overall recap
October 7th, 2008 at 12:54 am
Hi Hunter. (What’s up with this… every time I type your name I always make the same typo…. “Hunger”.) Anyway, this sounds like fun. Have fun with the extraversion switch.
Here’s an idea. I had a flash the other day while walking into a local grocery store. Even though I’m an introvert, I love having close friends over to share a nice meal. I like to set the mood and make sure they are all well taken care of. Dunno where this came from but as I (wearing my introverts face) was walking into the store I had a vision of me “pretending” that I was walking into my own living room and all the people in the store were my guests. It really helped shift my perception outward.
I’m looking forward to hearing about your experiment.
Davinas last blog post..Creative Luny Landing In The Sand
October 7th, 2008 at 1:24 am
Oh goodness–getting past the thinking and into the realms of purely feeling is going to be tough indeed. I tried helping a friend with it the other day and failed miserably…
The best first step that I can suggest is to spend a lot of time in art. Bring your experiences to the table, and instead of analyzing the practice, focus on how each piece makes you feel. For example, why are you drawn to a certain piece of music? Listen to a piece of music (for example) and clear your mind to the point where you just _are_. You simply exist. At that point, you may start viewing the art through an emotional lens.
It’s just a thought for when you get there
I’m interested to see how your project on personalities works out!
October 7th, 2008 at 2:40 am
Hi Hunter - What a fascinating experiment. It will be fun to follow your progress. Semi-retirement has you thinking, doesn’t it?
Barbara Swaffords last blog post..I’m Leaving You In Good Hands
October 7th, 2008 at 3:23 am
I agree with Barbara. This is going to fascinating to follow.
I think you’ll find it quite hard, Hunter. But no pain, no gain, right?
Good luck!
Jamie
Jamie Harrops last blog post..Authority Blogger Forums - Guest Posts & Prizes
October 7th, 2008 at 6:42 am
Thundercats!!!! OMG, it all comes rushing back to me!!! *chuckle*
Urban Panthers last blog post..Youthful optimism
October 7th, 2008 at 12:12 pm
Hunter,
It sounds like you have a cool project on your hands!
It reminds me of 2 things:
1. I push myself to “extra-cise” every now and again… To do something if for no other reason then to throw me out into the world and interact with some people or things I normally would not.
(I am an introvert, but also tend to be shy).
2. George Costanza deciding to do the opposite of his every instinct, in a Seinfeld episode.
Have Fun.
Matt
Matt Hs last blog post..Find a Vice President Candidate Online
October 7th, 2008 at 12:31 pm
I’m an ENFJ! While your looking to be more of a concrete information person, I’d stick with having to juggle abstract thoughts and notions while bringing them into relevant situations for full effectiveness in lets say, problem solving or getting things done.
That would be our main difference once ya successfully gone from your current INTP to ESFJ.
Enjoy your conversion / experiment there Hunter!
Daniel
Daniel Richards last blog post..4 Simple Ways To Let Your Blog Run RIOT
October 7th, 2008 at 2:55 pm
I remember the Thundercats, but I obviously didn’t watch that cartoon as closely as you did
Just don’t laugh hysterically, that’s not extroverted, it’s just weird; I’ve watched introverts trying to be more extroverted and almost invariably hysterical laughter is one of the things they try.
Marelisas last blog post..The Hannibal Barca Approach to Achieving Your Goals
October 7th, 2008 at 11:02 pm
Sounds very interesting. Good luck to you.
Avani-Mehtas last blog post..Saying No - And Feeling Good About It
October 7th, 2008 at 11:23 pm
@ Davina, that’s a Freudian slip. I guess you’re hungry for posts! Who among us isn’t? I’ll keep your tip in mind, pretending that people are my guests.
@ RL, there’s an art gallery right next door, so I’ll definitely try that!
@ Barbara, I guess I was always thinking, but now I have more time for turning my thinking into doing!
@ Jamie, sometimes even with pain, there’s no guarantee of gain! But it will definitely be interesting.
@ Panther, do you know which of the ThunderCats is based on your namesake?
@ Matt, George certainly had good results by doing the opposite, didn’t he? My results may vary!
@ Daniel, so basically I have to turn into you, but a more concrete you? I’ll keep that in mind!
@ Marelisa, when I watched some ThunderCats on YouTube, I was reminded of Mumm-ra’s hysterical laughter, and no, I will definitely NOT be doing that!
@ Avani-Mehta, thanks, I’m gonna need it!
November 3rd, 2008 at 7:29 pm
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November 14th, 2008 at 2:31 am
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