A Sensitive, feeling, extrovert's musings: Can you fail a personality test?

Personality tests intrigue me.  Don't get me wrong... Like any good ex-graduate student, I question the reliability and validity of these tests.  Sometimes I liken the results of the Myers-Briggs, Wonderlic, and Strengths Finder to the results of standardized testing in schools... an incomplete interpretation of the total picture.  How can you truly capture a person's personality based on a paper and pencil test? We need a practical.  Let's complete the paper test then drop folks off on a desert island with other people for a week including their mother-in-law.  Or better yet, let's film them driving through construction and rush hour traffic on the Raleigh beltline everyday for. a. week.  I could be Ronald Reagan on paper but act more like Lil' John in real life.  (No offense Lil' John.  You know how to party.)

Regardless, these tests are interesting and their results can confirm the lies we've been telling ourselves for years, make us scoff, or ponder about life.  I was cleaning my desk off the other night and found the documents where I had to take the Myers-Briggs personality test last year for work.  I don't remember much about taking the test so don't ask me what the questions were, but apparently my alphabet category is ESFP.

"ESFP's are outgoing, friendly, and accepting.  Exuberant lovers of life, people, and material comforts.  Enjoy working with others to make things happen.  Bring common sense and a realistic approach to their work and make work fun.  Flexible and spontaneous, adapt readily to new people and environments.  Learn best by trying a new skill with other people." 

I was feeling oh so good about myself until I read my alphabet category prayer, "God, help me to take things more seriously, especially parties and dancing." 

I found this to be hilarious...at first... but then I got to thinking what kind of message that sends and is that really true for me.  I may have sent a tense text message to my boo when she posted, "wow" under my prayer Facebook status.  Surely my boo knows I take more than dancing and parties seriously.  Am I the party girl? Do people see me as having any depth? Do folks take me seriously? The feelings were in overdrive.  I am not a table dancin', keg standin' type of girl.  I like to sit around and, "shoot the bull." I enjoy having groups of family or friends over, eating good food, playing games, even maybe a little dancing if the moon is in the right phase.  But if you gave me the options of going out on the town, throwing a big party, or hanging out on the couch with just one of the loves of my life... "I'll take 'On the Couch' for $1200, Alex."

My logic rallied for the better.  The paper and pencil tests just don't get the important little complex details.  Then I read through the pitfalls to being in my alphabet category.  Why I didn't read these last summer... apparently because I don't handle criticism well.  :|

"May overemphasize subjective information in an effort to maintain harmony. (Do what it takes to keep the peace no matter what.) May spend too much time socializing and neglect tasks.  May not finish what they start. Need to learn to plan ahead especially when managing work. Take criticism and failure extremely personal."   

I wish I could view these tests like most people do and just pick the things I want to acknowledge about myself or say definitively, "that's not me!" when I read something I don't like.  Truth is I can specifically name a recent example that fits each one of those shortcomings, and it doesn't feel good to admit that.  A lady criticized my sewing skills on my two quilts I've been working on and they are sitting in a corner unfinished.  That kills two shortcoming birds with one stone right there.  I get bored, or have a major setback, or sense that failure / rejection is imminent and pull the plug.  This has gotten better with time, maturity, and Christ teaching me how to rest and trust in Him.  The things in my life I have unconditionally committed to sticking with through whatever may come: my relationship with Christ, my marriage, completing my Master's thesis, running / training, and my big girl friendships give me hope that my discipline has / will continue to improve.

Maybe I've over analyzed the findings to the test.  ("I'll take desert island for $1,200, Alex.")  I'm interested in what other people think / feel about these little quizzes and how they respond to the results.  In light of all this introspective stuff, I'm jumping back on my wedding dress challenge by signing up for a 12 week endurance course at my gym focused on getting me ready for triathlon season.  I'm thinking me and failure may be BFF soon.  So if  anyone wants to hang out, eat cheeseburgers and drink beer call me, call me, call me... You don't have to worry about it, baby.  You can wake me up in the dead of the night, wreck my plans, baby that's alright...You can crash my party anytime! :)

-- Thanks to Lil John, Luke Bryan, and Myers-Briggs for their contributions to the blog.        

A few of my favorite things.

Thank you to the many people that have been praying for Mikey and I over the past 2 weeks.  Most of you have seen the posts / heard that Mike's Dad went home to the Lord last Monday.  He was suffering so greatly that we are honestly thankful for God's swift and ultimate mercy.  Mikey is an only child so over the past week we have worked to begin the process of executing his Dad's estate.  As the sole heir he also holds sole responsibility for making sure that everything is closed out and taken care of.  We feel that we have gotten a good start but it will likely be months before all of the details of the estate are closed.  We were finally able to come home this past weekend.  I arrived late Thursday night because of a meeting on Friday and Mike followed Friday afternoon.  After visiting with some friends Saturday morning I slept most of the day yesterday while Mike continued working on some paperwork.  This morning I woke up to a beautiful sunrise but there was little joy to be found in my heart.  The peaks and valleys of the past two weeks finally caught me and put me on my knees today.  Tonight I am particularly...salty... so rather than hurt over the recent events I decided to make a list of things that have made me happy over the past 2 weeks.  This might give everyone some further insight into how strange I really am.

1.  Subway sandwiches with baked cheddar and sour cream ruffles.

2.  Throwing wet towels over Mama's head and running away before she can retaliate.

3.  Granma looking like she had won the lottery when I brought her a combination plate of fried oysters and shrimp with french fries back from Elizabeth City. 

4.   Mikey sleeping with his arm around me and his hand over my heart.

5.  My Boo.  

6.  Bella   

7.  The way my Aunt Jeannie still kisses me on the lips even though I'm 30.  :)  

8.  Mr. Johnson whispering to me that I look good.  

9.  Holding hands and praying.   

10.  Mike's 47 year old cousin jamming to Jay-Z and Beyonce in the hospital hallway at 1am.  

11.  3am ice cream party with Mike, George, and Mr. Johnson.       

12.  Granma always reaching to hold my hand when she's talking to me.  (Again.. hand holding)

13.  The smell of honeysuckles on the trail during last Sunday's bike ride.  

14.  Looking at baby pictures of Mikey and older photos of his family.    

15.  Ms. Alma Roundtree's homemade chicken and pastry.

16.  Panera Hazelnut Coffee

17.  Talking to my County liaisons.  (They are the best.)

18.  Texts and messages from concerned friends.

19.  My Daddy driving 10 hours to be with us and bringing Mike's Granma some "side meat" knowing that she would fry it up the next day.

20.  My fave waitress at The Border not recognizing me with my hair down, regular clothes, and make-up on.

21.  Dirty rice at 10pm.

22.  Watching stupid Youtube videos with Mama.  

23.  The look my Uncle Cliff had when I gave him a picture of his daddy (my grandaddy) that I copied for him.    

24.  Sleeping with both of my turbo fans running at high speed.   

25.  Discovering that while pictures of people running on the beach look awesome, I don't actually like to run on the beach.  

I feel better.  :)