NOT on the PERSONALITY SCALE
I don’t fit the Profile
You may not fit, either.
The personality test says you are a “Smirkoid.” But, only half of the description fits. Thankfully you didn’t show up as a “Lobnoid.” You would hate being that. Others, when they think about you say, “Yah, he’s probably a ‘Smirkoid,’ but there is more there.”
Truthfully, you are wondering where the other half of you “fits.” Those who study personalities are wondering the same thing. There are many pieces of random personality traits which fit NO TEST. If you love speaking in public, but can’t stand to be in a room full of people when not speaking … that personality does not fit any of the accepted traits. If you are great at organizing your art supplies, but you never have found a way to organize your kitchen … that does not fit an accepted trait.
A few years ago we hosted a group of teens at our home on a weekly basis. The idea was to have fun and share a meal, but they had to do their homework. These teens were very capable with computers and smartphones. However, if they did not know how to do a math problem they were stumped and frustrated. They were clueless how to help themselves learn new skills with the tools called computers and smartphones. It did not compute. Yet, I, who definitely lags far behind in e-skills, could find the learning helps from those e-tools in mere minutes…every time.
Recently, I read a couple of stories about new young adults who were clueless about ordinary stuff. They did not know how to boil water, do laundry, the size of their own shoes, that their driver’s license was also an ID, that cash was just like money, etc. These are “smart” kids who know everything about Minecraft and Tomb Raiders, including where to find every “Easter Egg,” and could list every song put out in the last year from Crashface. (Pity the next generation which grows up using AI. They won’t be able to find their own bedroom without consulting Alexa.)
I think I’ve gone off-topic.
Maybe not. If personality means being “in charge” of your own life, these new adults may not have that feature yet.
The problem is that personality tests are biased. If you fit a category 52% of the time, you are still pigeonholed as having that trait 100%. It is almost as bad as being subjected to racism. Just because some people from a certain culture love corn on the cob, does not mean that all people from that culture do. Thus, if you are labeled as “Smirkoid” your employer will have expectations for you which you are incapable of fulfilling. You love doing this task which fits your type, but hate that one which also fits your type. So, you will spend a lot of time as possible doing the task your “personality” loves and YOU love, but you will avoid doing those tasks which your “personality” loves, but YOU hate. Life ain’t fair.
I am labeled as “introverted.” It carries no shame for me. It is who I have always been. I can’t understand how “extroversion” works. (I even question why extroverts need a beer to enjoy a party…I would think “introverts” have much more reason for the beer. It doesn’t make sense in my brain.) Yet…I do things which no introvert in his right mind would do, assuming that person was fully introverted. I sometimes I initiate conversations with strangers (on purpose). I sometimes stand at a microphone and speak to a crowd when no one told me I had to. Unfortunately, I am not a Perfect Introvert. Your labels do not “fit” either.
Don’t get me wrong. There is some value to those tests. Those who can’t figure out why they are the way they are, or have trouble understanding their spouses, may find some assistance. On the other hand, I believe employers should not use them except in the hiring process. They probably don’t want 7 chiefs and no Indians in a cohort. That being said, I have seen effective “chiefs” who did not have “the” personality. In fact, our soldiers (unlike those from Russia) are permitted to use whatever skills they have no matter their basic personality type or rank. Sometimes, in battle, an introvert steps up to be the exact leader needed at that moment. Back home everyone would say, “Him?”
Your personality “type” also does not determine your future. You can step outside of it any time you want. You can choose TODAY (or, at this exact moment) to do something which is 100% not in your personality. Thus, you can never blame a choice on “who I am.” “I stole your motorbike because I’m a thief.” Nope. You are not DRIVEN by your personality or history, unless you are off your nut insane. There is so much more to who you are than a “type.” You have experiences, education, friendships, skills that add or subtract from the “type.” On top of all that, you always have a choice of behaviors. You can choose the outcome you want and do what it takes. It’s always within you to resist the typologies which otherwise define you.
Tests serve a function. True. They also, in so many ways, fail to serve.
So, next time you are trying to decide what to do or how to do it, remember that your “type” is not who you are and it is not in charge of you. YOU ARE UNIQUE AND YOU ARE IN CHARGE OF YOU.
Copyright 2023 Donald Whelpley
[PLEASE NOTE that Don is always open to discussing the thoughts and opinions he shares here and welcomes comments as shared in the comment section. He doesn’t use other social media platforms, as I do, and won’t see whatever you’d like to share with him if you post it elsewhere. ~ Sherry]
MORE OF DON’S GREAT GUEST POSTS:
~ All Saints Day ~ Laws The U.S. Should Enact, II ~ Forgotten Lessons of COVID ~ Elephant Snot ~
~ A High-Value Man ~ Facial Expressions ~ Wind Chimes, pt III ~ Look For This Word ~ Fake! ~ MEAT ~ Know Your World ~
~ Theraping for Dollars ~ Self-Scan ~ Wind Chimes, part II ~ COOL! ~ Wind Chimes, part I ~ It Is Time To… ~
~ Courthouse Statue ~ The Effect of Crime On Small Business ~ Young Brains ~ Why We Miss ~ Helpful Pests ~
~ Giving Up Your Seat ~ Obedience ~ Good Mental Habits ~ Winning The Lottery ~ Why Sarcasm Does Not Translate ~
~ OOPS! That’s How I Write ~ ~ The RE-COLONIZATION of America, pt. II ~ Laws The U.S. Should Enact ~
~ The Re-Colonization Of America, pt. I ~ How To Retire On Less ~ State Song ~
~ The “Holier Than Thou” Attitude of “The Boy Who Cried ‘Wolf’” ~ THE TRUTH ~ H.A.L.T ~ Where’s The Clamor? ~
~ Parents Who Lie ~ Odd Places ~ Internet Is Fragile ~ Shopping ~ Student Loans ~ A Government ~
~ Going To Church ~ Anheuser-Busch ~ Hans Van Doorn ~ The Wrong Problem ~ Talking About Money ~
~ Trustworthy ~ A Life More Beautiful ~ TECH with ATTITUDE! ~ Black Drink ~
~ Public Schools III ~ Public Schools II ~ Public Schools I ~ 5-Star Reviews ~ Fractions Matter! ~ Small Spoons ~
~ Dumpster ~ Weird Forgiveness III ~ Weird Forgiveness II ~ Weird Forgiveness I ~
~ Classified Documents ~ Future You Needs A Friend ~ Feeling Understood ~ Starting The New Year Right ~
~ Awe! Aah! Ooh! ~ Christmas As A Poor (Rich) Child ~ Bigger Problems ~ Blessing ~ Climate Change – 2 ~
~ Medical Science Too Far? ~ Gravity and Light ~ Travel Fun ~ Fascinating People: Gloria Hartman Doughty ~
~ Sadly Magic Words ~ Mulberries ~ Climate Change? ~ ~ SPURIOUS UBIQUITOUS NOISE ~ TEW ~
~ Credit Card Debt ~ Insect Oddities ~ DATA ~ Cities Got Name? ~ The Bible Does Not Say That! ~ Too Old?? ~
~ Be My Guest ~ IN-CRE-MEN-TAL-ISM ~ Bad Friends & Broken Tools ~Pools Are For The Birds?? ~
~ Animals Hindering Your Financial Freedom ~ The Chicken ~ Finding The Exit ~ Allegheny Blackberries ~
~ Romantic Sunset At The Beach ~ Fun Facts About Carpenter Ants ~ Bad Habits ~ Doing Faith Wrong ~ Quirky! ~
~ Ten-Foot Trestle ~ Settling Estates ~ Living In High Horse Country ~ The Dying Generation ~
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