I took a personality test (thanks to Cynthia for the link) and the results say that I am an ENFJ…here’s what that means:

Even more than the other Idealists, Teachers have a natural talent for leading students or trainees toward learning, or as Idealists like to think of it, they are capable of calling forth each learner’s potentials. Teachers (around two percent of the population) are able - effortlessly, it seems, and almost endlessly-to dream up fascinating learning activities for their students to engage in. In some Teachers, this ability to fire the imagination can amount to a kind of genius which other types find hard to emulate. But perhaps their greatest strength lies in their belief in their students. Teachers look for the best in their students, and communicate clearly that each one has untold potential, and this confidence can inspire their students to grow and develop more than they ever thought possible.

In whatever field they choose, Teachers consider people their highest priority, and they instinctively communicate personal concern and a willingness to become involved. Warmly outgoing, and perhaps the most expressive of all the types, Teachers are remarkably good with language, especially when communicating in speech, face to face. And they do not hesitate to speak out and let their feelings be known. Bubbling with enthusiasm, Teachers will voice their passions with dramatic flourish, and can, with practice, become charismatic public speakers. This verbal ability gives Teachers a good deal of influence in groups, and they are often asked to take a leadership role.

Teachers like things settled and organized, and will schedule their work hours and social engagements well ahead of time-and they are absolutely trustworthy in honoring these commitments. Valuing as they do interpersonal cooperation and harmonious relations, Teachers are extraordinarily tolerant of others, are easy to get along with, and are usually popular wherever they are.

Teachers are highly sensitive to others, which is to say their intuition tends to be well developed. Certainly their insight into themselves and others is unparalleled. Without a doubt, they know what is going on inside themselves, and they can read other people with uncanny accuracy. Teachers also identify with others quite easily, and will actually find themselves picking up the characteristics, emotions, and beliefs of those around them. Because they slip almost unconsciously into other people’s skin in this way, Teachers feel closely connected with those around them, and thus show a sincere interest in the joys and problems of their employees, colleagues, students, clients, and loved ones.

Mikhail Gorbachev, Oprah Winfrey, Pope John Paul II, Ralph Nader, John Wooden, and Margaret Mead are examples of Teacher Idealists.

source: http://keirsey.com/handler.aspx?s=keirsey&f=fourtemps&tab=3&c=teacher

Hmm, interesting. I say that because something that reads me like a book like this tends to make me a little nervous. I don’t like to be pegged, but I also can’t ignore something like this. It is also interesting because I have spent the past two months trying to rediscover what it is that I love to do, and had come to the conclusion that I got the most enjoyment and overall satisfaction in my role as a Trainer during my tenure at the company I was laid off from. But when I got laid off, because of all the anger and bitterness I felt, I buried all that and momentarily forgot the things that brought me joy. Because I wanted to disassociate myself from that world completely, I buried everything. But that wasn’t fair to me.

Long story short, the world of training and development is where my career is. Whether it be through my writing or through public speaking, interacting with people and helping them reach their goals is ultimately what I want to do. And it is what I am going to do. I have found a new job, folks…as a Trainer in an organization that recognizes the importance of finding the right person for the job. I went through 4 interviews (including a 30-minute presentation) that allowed me to get to know the people that I was going to be working with, and gave them a chance to get to know me. It helped me to put rational and concrete thinking into this decision, and not just jump into it with my eyes closed.

I am so excited that I can barely stand it…because I know that I was led to this position; this is my path. Overcoming resigning from a job that I knew was not for me, and living for two months unemployed, without any thought as to how and where the next job was coming from, was tough. But faith gets you through things. I am a true testament to that. I feel so blessed right now, yet I am so humbled by the fact that little me has been given this much. My heart is full, and I am happy and at peace…life is good.