Thursday, July 19, 2007

ISFJ

I haven't taken this test in a long time, and I'm pretty sure the last time I took it I wasn't an ISFJ (but I can't remember what I was) I relate to a lot of the "Protector Guardian" definition that was linked to my results....pretty much until the "puritan work ethic" part- I get distracted so easily, and sure, play should be earned, but it's not like I'll let that stop me from indulging, even if I haven't done anything to deserve it.
The primary desire of the Protector Guardian is to be of service to others,
but here "service" means not so much furnishing others with the necessities of
life's concern, as guarding others against life's pitfalls and perils, that is,
seeing to their safety and security. There is a large proportion of Protectors
in the population, perhaps as much as ten percent. And a good thing, because
they are steadfast in their protecting, and seem fulfilled in the degree they
can insure the safekeeping of those in their family, their circle of friends, or
their place of business.

Protectors find great satisfaction in assisting the downtrodden and can
deal with disability and neediness in others better than any other type. They go
about their task of caretaking modestly, unassumingly, and because of this their
efforts are not sometimes fully appreciated. They are not as outgoing and
talkative as the Providers, except with close friends and relatives. With these
they can chat tirelessly about the ups and downs in their lives, moving (like
all the Guardians) from topic to topic as they talk over their everyday
concerns. However, their shyness with strangers is often misjudged as stiffness,
even coldness, when in truth these Protectors are warm-hearted and sympathetic,
giving happily of themselves to those in need.

Their quietness ought really to be seen as an expression, not of
coldness, but of their sincerity and seriousness of purpose. Like all the
Guardians, Protectors have a highly developed puritan work ethic, which tells
them that work is good, and that play must be earned-if indulged in at all. The
least hedonic of all types, Protectors are willing to work long, long hours
doing all the thankless jobs the other types seem content to ignore.
Thoroughness and frugality are also virtues for Protectors. When they undertake
a task, they will complete it if at all humanly possible; and they know the
value of material resources and abhor the squandering or misuse of these
resources. Protectors are quite content to work alone; indeed, they may
experience some discomfort when placed in positions of authority, and may try to
do everything themselves rather than insist that others do their jobs.

With their extraordinary commitment to security, and with their unusual
talent for executing routines, Protectors do well in many careers that have to
do with conservation: curators, private secretaries, librarians,
middle-managers, police officers, and especially general medical practitioners.
To be sure, the hospital is a natural haven for them; it is home to the family
doctor, preserver of life and limb, and to the registered nurse, or licensed
practical nurse, truly the angels of mercy. The insurance industry is also a
good fit for Protectors. To save, to put something aside against an
unpredictable future, to prepare for emergencies-these are important actions to
Protectors, who as insurance agents want to see their clients in good hands,
sheltered and protected.

According to the list, other ISFJs include Queen Elizabeth II, Robert E. Lee, and Jerry Seinfeld.

1 comment:

Anonymous said...

Another famous ISFJ: me.

Who knew, Ann?