Dave and I decided to take the imfamous Jung & Myers-Briggs personality test. Come to find out, we share the exact same personality — Give or take a few qualities of course…The only bad thing is that it says it is hard to share the positive qualities at the same time…EEKKK!! We both can’t be super idealist ALL the time, right?… So, take a look, understand us better and see if the test reads you right.

The MBTI preferences indicate the differences in people based on the following:

How they focus their attention or get their energy (Extraversion or Introversion)

How they perceive or take in information (Sensing or iNtuition)

How they prefer to make decisions (Thinking of Feeling)

How they orient themselves to the external world (Judgement or Perception)

Our Result: Extraverted iNtuitive Feeling Perceiving

(Extraverted Intuition with Introverted Feeling)

Rather than working, we should be sailing the seven seas! :)

General Overview

ENFPs are both “idea”-people and “people”-people, who see everyone and everything as part of an often bizarre cosmic whole. They want to help (at least, their own definition of “help”) others, on both an individual and a humanitarian level. On one hand they are interested in new ideas on principle, but ultimately discard most of them for one reason or another. On the other hand, they love life, seeing it as a special gift, and strive to make the most out of it.

They are warm, enthusiastic people, typically very bright and full of potential. They live in the world of possibilities, and can become very passionate and excited about things. Their enthusiasm lends them the ability to inspire and motivate others, more so than we see in other types.

They see meaning in everything, and are on a continuous quest to adapt their lives and values to achieve inner peace. They’re constantly aware and somewhat fearful of losing touch with themselves. Since emotional excitement is usually an important part of the ENFP’s life, and because they are focused on keeping “centered”, the ENFP is usually an intense individual, with highly evolved values.

ENFPs have what some call a “silly switch.” They can be intellectual, serious, all business for a while, but whenever they get the chance, they flip that switch and become CAPTAIN WILDCHILD, the scourge of the swimming pool, ticklers par excellence. Sometimes they may even appear intoxicated when the “switch” is flipped.

ENFPs are global learners. Because they live in the world of exciting possibilities, the details of everyday life are seen as trivial drudgery. Close enough is satisfactory to the ENFP, which may unnerve more precise thinking types, especially with such things as piano practice (”three quarter notes or four … what’s the difference?”) They place no importance on detailed, maintenance-type tasks, and will frequently remain oblivious to these types of concerns. When they do have to perform these tasks, they do not enjoy themselves. This is a challenging area of life for most ENFPs, and can be frustrating for ENFP’s family members. Amazingly, some ENFPs are adept at exacting disciplines such as mathematics.

Work Related

ENFPs have an unusually broad range of skills and talents. They are good at most things which interest them. Project-oriented, they may go through several different careers during their lifetime. To onlookers, the ENFP may seem directionless and without purpose, but ENFPs are actually quite consistent, in that they have a strong sense of values which they live with throughout their lives. Everything that they do must be in line with their values. An ENFP needs to feel that they are living their lives as their true Self, walking in step with what they believe is right.

They may become unhappy when they are confined to strict schedules or mundane tasks. Consequently, ENFPs work best in situations where they have a lot of flexibility, and where they can work with people and ideas. Many go into business for themselves. They have the ability to be quite productive with little supervision, as long as they are excited about what they’re doing.

Because they are so alert and sensitive, constantly scanning their environments, ENFPs often suffer from muscle tension (NO DOUBT!!). They have a strong need to be independent, and resist being controlled or labeled. They need to maintain control over themselves, but they do not believe in controlling others. Their dislike of dependence and suppression extends to others as well as to themselves.

Social/Personal Relationships

Most ENFPs have great people skills (Like Mark Twain up there). They are genuinely warm and interested in people, and place great importance on their inter-personal relationships. Once an ENFP has learned to balance their need to be true to themselves with their need for acceptance, they excel at bringing out the best in others.

They have an exceptional ability to intuitively understand a person after a very short period of time, and use their intuition and flexibility to relate to others on their own level. They can tell what is going on inside of others, reading hidden emotions and giving special significance to words or actions. Friends are what life is about to ENFPs, more so even than the other NFs. ENFPs are energized by being around people.

ENFPs take their relationships very seriously, but also approach them with a childlike enthusiasm and energy. They have a great deal of zany charm. They are outgoing, fun, and genuinely like people. As mates they are warm, affectionate, and disconcertingly spontaneous, affirming, nurturing, and highly invested in the health of the relationship. They have excellent interpersonal skills, and are able to inspire and motivate others to be the best that they can be. However, attention span in relationships can be short; ENFPs are easily intrigued and distracted by new friends and acquaintances, forgetting about the older ones for long stretches at a time.

They seek and demand authenticity and depth in their personal relationships, and will put forth a lot of effort into making things work out (aka ARIEL, the Little Mermaid!). They like to hear from their significant others that they are loved and valued, and are willing and eager to return the favor. They enjoy lavishing love and affection on their mates, and are creative and energetic in their efforts to please.

Relationship Conflicts

A problem area for ENFPs in relationships is their dislike of conflict and sensitivity to criticism. They are perfectionists who believe that any form of criticism is a stab at their character, which is very difficult for them to take. Conflict situations are sources of extreme stress to the ENFP. They have a tendency to brush issues under the rug rather than confront them head-on, if there is likely to be a conflict. They are also prone to “give in” easily in conflict situations, just to end the conflict. They might agree to something which goes against their values just to end the uncomfortable situation. In such cases, the problem is extended and will return at a later time. The ENFP needs to realize that conflict situations are not the end of the world. They are entirely normal, and can be quite helpful for the growth of a relationship. They also need to work on taking criticism for what it is, rather than blowing up any negative comment into an indictment against their entire character.

ENFPs may also feel threatened by individuals with strong Judging preferences. With a tendency to take any criticism personally, the ENFP may find themselves irritated or emotional when the Judger expresses a negative opinion, believing somehow that the Judger is expressing disapproval or disappointment in the ENFP.

And now for a break down of the terms. You know us better already, right??!! ;)

Extraverted iNtuition

The physical world, both geos and kosmos, is the ENFP’s primary source of information. Rather than sensing things as they are, dominant intuition is sensitive to things as they might be. These extraverted Intuitives are most adept with patterns and connections. Their natural inclination is toward relationships, especially among people or living things.

Intuition leans heavily on feeling for meaning and focus. Its best patterns reflect the interesting points of people, giving rise to caricatures of manner, speech and expression.

Introverted Feeling

Auxiliary feeling is non-verbally implied more often than it is openly expressed. When expressed, this logic has an aura of romance and purity that may seem out of place in this flawed, imperfect world. In its own defense, feeling judgement frequently and fleetly gives way to humor. ENFPs who publicize their feelings too often may put off some of the crowd of friends they naturally attract.

Extraverted Thinking

Thinking, the process which runs to impersonal conclusions, holds the extraverted tertiary position. Used on an occasional basis, ENFPs may benefit greatly from this ability. Less mature and lacking the polish of higher order functions, thinking is not well suited to be used as a prominent function. The ENFP unwary of Thinking’s limitations may find themselves most positively mistaken.

Introverted Sensing

Sensing, the least discernible ENFP function, resides in the inner world where reality is reduced to symbols and icons–ideas representing essences of external realities. Under the influence of the ever-present intuition, the ENFP’s sensory perceptions are in danger of being replaced by hypothetical data consistent with pattern and paradigm. When it is protected and nourished, introverted sensing provides information about the fixed. From such firm anchoring ENFPs are best equipped to launch into thousands of plausibilities and curiosities yet to be imagined.

Perhaps the combination of introverted Feeling and childlike introverted Sensing is responsible for the silent pull of ENFPs to the wishes of parents, authority figures and friends. Or perhaps it’s the predominance of indecisive intuition in combination with the ambiguity of secondary Fi and tertiary Te that induces these kind souls to capitulate even life-affecting decisions. 

ENFP Idealist: Champion

Like the other Idealists, ENFP Champions are rather rare, say two or three percent of the population, but even more than the others they consider intense emotional experiences as being vital to a full life. (See: Buster Keaton) Champions have a wide range and variety of emotions, and a great passion for novelty. They see life as an exciting drama, pregnant with possibilities for both good and evil, and they want to experience all the meaningful events and fascinating people in the world.

The most outgoing of the Idealists, Champions often can’t wait to tell others of their extraordinary experiences. Champions can be tireless in talking with others, like fountains that bubble and splash, spilling over their own words to get it all out. And usually this is not simple storytelling; Champions often speak (or write) in the hope of revealing some truth about human experience, or of motivating others with their powerful convictions. Their strong drive to speak out on issues and events, along with their boundless enthusiasm and natural talent with language, makes them the most vivacious and inspiring of all the types.

Fiercely individualistic, Champions strive toward a kind of personal authenticity, and this intention always to be themselves is usually quite attractive to others. Far more than the other Idealists, Champions are keen and probing observers of the people around them, and are capable of intense concentration on another individual. Their attention is rarely passive or casual. On the contrary, Champions tend to be extra sensitive and alert, always ready for emergencies, always on the lookout for what’s possible.

Champions are positive, exuberant people, and often their confidence in the goodness of life and of human nature makes good things happen. Yay!

On another note: We put our two weeks in on Monday. I know. We are crazy and irresponsible. We are also unhappy, our health meter is low, and we want to experience life while we are young. We were born to be explorers.  Now that we are in a classified-type grouping, there seems to be a list of careers that would be great for us to fall into when we decide to place ourselves in a new job situation. If you know of any low key jobs that fall in this group, ring us. ;) 

Career Paths for the ENFP:

• Consultant (sounds okay..)
• Psychologist (why not?)
• Entrepreneur (totally!)
• Actor (Dave can take this route…)
• Art Director (Yeah!)
• Teacher (Yes)
• Holistic Health Practitioner (Totally!)
• Counselor (Sure)
• Politician / Diplomat (No)
• Television Reporter (NO)
• Computer Programmer, Systems Analyst, or Computer Specialist (Yes, but only if it is web design)
• Scientist (Haha.)
• Engineer (Hahahaaa.)

And as Joseph Campbell puts it, “I don’t believe people are looking for the meaning of life as much as they are looking for the experience of being alive.”

Take the test! See for yourself if Jung can read you like a book! :)

Jessica: Now, I don’t think travel guides are bad, because there’s no doubt I could sit in the travel store for hours if I had the time. But just consider the negative effects they can have on our own expectations and awaited experiences.

The vicarious adventures we hope to experience through Lonely Planet writers have all been handed to us on a golden plate. LP has shaped our international expectations as Americans. We don’t know if today’s popular guidebooks have based their selection on the highest advertising bid or on the opinion of the independent back country vagabond. Before rushing to the store, think about the unlimited possibilities you could enjoy through self-discovery and through a journey that you decide. What a freeing and independent feeling! Others that travelled before us who chose not to enjoy the convenience of carrying a list of the hottest restaurants were still able to experience an amazing adventure, right? If you need to research, then research, but try not to depend on a sheet of paper to tell you what you will like and won’t like.  If you are going on a trip  just to check it off your list, you are not living and experiences the amazing quirks that pass right by us everyday. It can still be just as rewarding to relax and enjoy your stay while relying on your own standards to plot the course of your adventure.

Of the travel guidebook experiences that have been shared and discussed amongst our friends and neighbors, the “unique and unknown” guidebook destinations end up being more of a disappointment as they are crowded with camera flashes and 12-pocket cotton shorts…all because of the popular suggestions and trip tips of the “New American Guidebook” way of life.  Everything is so convenient now that we expect to be led by the hand without getting dirty. Do we still have the drive to experience the same adventures and excitement without the specific suggestions of today’s “progressive” guidebook leaders?

It seems the idea of Lonely Planet is not to provide us with secret spots of interest and local favorites, but instead, the corporate head telling us what we must do and where we must go in order to see true culture and excitement. We seem to be missing out on so many opportunities because we rush to the next suggested hotspot. Always remember, a well-beaten path does not always make the right road.

And as Oprah puts it, “Understand that the right to choose your own path is a sacred privilege. Use it. Dwell in possibility.”  :)

Dave: Our own personalities may likely have the final say on our expectations and experiences when venturing to far away lands. If you expect to pay a lot of money on travel expenses and tour guides, take off from work for a month and have the adventure of your life, then I hope your personality meshes well with your expectations.

Most of us crave adventure and new experiences, but truth be told, a lot of people are reluctant creatures of habit. This said, you are only going to experience as much as you allow yourself to experience. I think we would all feel liberated if we could just lift our self-imposed limitations and even our own views of ourselves from time to time.

I’m not saying we should be different people when we cross into another border, I’m just saying that we should be in tune with what is going on around us at all moments. When we are in tune with our surroundings, our surroundings are in tune with us.

So allow yourself to experience the experiences waiting to happen to you. Take advantage of your unique personalities and enjoy yourselves! Share yourselves with others around the world and create the experiences you’ve only dreamed of up until now.

Allow yourself to be in the moment.

Allow yourself to be.

~

Click here to read “Before Lonely Planet” by Stephen Henighan.

Do you think Lonely Planet is shaping our perception of international travel? Are we missing out on what each country really has to share and to offer? Let us know what you think!

Just an interesting take on things.

Enjoy and have a wonderful day!

Jess and Dave

On a similar note, I enjoy my chiropractor immensely. He has shared some really good advice on many issues that I have been having. I have noticed a difference in my posture and hope that we can soon begin working on straightening out my system. My shoulders are ALWAYS tense, but I blame the computer for that.

Dave and I had a wonderful evening of discussion, plans, and ideas last night. We ended up going to Waldo Pizza and then walked next door to talk over gelato and coffee. It was wonderful. I think we got a lot accomplished, especially when talking about our future plans and adventures. We are extremely like minded but sometimes we seem to be going in different directions, which is totally okay. We just need to work on communication and enjoy wherever the wind takes us. :)

PLUS, our super fun friend Jessica R. has been devising a plan for the three of us to go to the Galapagos for the summer, which would be wonderful. I know we are both into that. :)

Possibly going to try pilates tonight, tomorrow, or very soon. My friend Kari and I tried to make it to a class but we ended up showing up too late. It looked amazing though. :/ The weather is getting to be nice again, which can really be a drag on the work out schedule. We want to go exercise, but not inside, then there are so many fun things to do outside, which would take maybe half the energy of exercise… Choices, choices and more choices.

The Janus Film Series started a few weeks ago. Every Thursday. Many movies I’ve been wanting too see but never got around to it. Dave and I started Netflix too, which will really allow us to explore more.

Movie Poster for the Spirit of the Beehive (Spanish)