I’ve been recently doing a lot of reading on psychology and personality. There are various ways of categorizing personality types and most studies show that there is a higher likelihood of relationship success if both individuals have similar personality types. Perhaps the most well-known and important test is the MBTI or Myers-Briggs Type Indicator. The test, which is a questionnaire that gives respondents a situation and asks them to circle the answer that is more likely to be the way they would handle it, divides personality types into four pairs of “dichotomies”. These pairs are: (E)xtraversion/(I)ntraversion, (S)ensing/I(N)tuition, (T)hinking/(F)eeling, and (J)udgment/(P)erception. Because there are four pairs, there  are16 combinations of the pairs, and hence 16 different personality types. Here is a sample test so you can find out what your personality type is- http://www.humanmetrics.com/cgi-win/JTypes2.asp .

I won’t go into details about what each category means; however, you can find out a lot more detailed information by going to http://www.myersbriggs.org/my-mbti-personality-type/mbti-basics/. What struck me the most about the test, however, and the reason for this article, is that we learned that my wife and I have the same exact personality type- INFJ- and that individuals with that type have a very high chance of relationship success with others of that same type. INFJ means that I am more introverted than extraverted (I), more intuitive and interested in abstract ideas and deeper meanings rather than relying on the concrete senses (N), more feeling and empathic rather than making decisions based on logic and thinking alone (F), and more likely to prefer some sort of structure and organization in my life, rather than a completely flexible, spontaneous lifestyle (J). It is important to understand that not all of the terms are meant in the same way that they are used in their more common meanings. For example, for these purposes, an introverted person is not one who is poor at social skills and shy, but rather someone who gains energy from solitude rather than from the company of others. Interestingly, INFJs are the most rare personality type, accounting for only one percent of the entire population, so I find it even more unusual that both my wife and I share this type. According to the Myers-Briggs website, INFJs “Seek meaning and connection in ideas, relationships, and material possessions. Want to understand what motivates people and are insightful about others. Conscientious and committed to their firm values. Develop a clear vision about how best to serve the common good. Organized and decisive in implementing their vision.”

Best career choice for an INFJ? Counselor or Therapist. I guess some things just find their level ground. Go ahead and take the MBTI and see what your personality type is. It just may help you to understand yourself better and find yourself- your interests, career, or ideal lover.