The MBTI Can Ruin Your Life

What is the MBTI

Its the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator

The Myers–Briggs Type Indicator is an introspective self-report questionnaire indicating differing psychological preferences in how people perceive the world and make decisions. The original versions of the MBTI were constructed by two Americans, Katharine Cook Briggs and her daughter Isabel Briggs Myers.
Source Wikipedia

Note how they said
Introspective.

Examining one’s own perceptions and sensory experiences; contemplative or thoughtful about oneself.

Where am I going with this?

The Myers-Briggs Type Indicator is excellent for you when you’re trying to get some answers as you go on a journey of self-discovery.

For example
Upon taking the test it became clearer as to why I hate planning and I’m more of an improviser. I have the “P” trait, for perceiving/prospecting
So, I like to be flexible and keeping my options open. That helps me to regulate myself. Forewarned is forearmed. Now that I know I’m hard-wired to not have methodical approaches to situations, I take active steps to override that “instinct” or predisposition.

Like coming up with a timetable. And sticking to it.
Setting deadlines.
Facing situations as they arise and not sweeping them under the carpet.

Oh that doesn’t sound too bad, does it?

I recommend that you take the test. Here’s the link. It really aids in self assessment.

16 Personalities Test

Now here’s the tea.

Its when you get so dumbfounded and awe-struck by the indicator that you base your life on it does it become detrimental.

For example
An ISTJ or rather a logistician (basically these people value order and prioritize logic above feelings) find themselves expressing emotion or getting “all up in their feels” they chastise themselves like
Oh no this isn’t me. What am I doing? The test said I-

That wasn’t the intention of Isabel and Katherine. Shame on you. (and me because at one point I was headed in that direction)

Its to aid you in introspection, its like looking in a mirror. You are not supposed to use it as a GPS through life. In some way it helps you view your progress in terms of – how are you mitigating your weaknesses.

But. It’s not a map and I’ll repeat that it’s just a mirror.
It shows you who you are and gives you a breakdown of how you are inclined to act in certain situations NOT HOW YOU SHOULD ACT.

Another error. Basing interactions on the MBTI. It’s not a cheat sheet. Lastly, just because you know someone’s personality type doesn’t mean you know them personally.