7 Detours on the Road to Personality Typing

7 detours on the road to personality typing will bring clarity to the myths surrounding personality typing theory. There is so much confusion about typology that I wanted to clear up a few things. Did you know that more than two million people take a personality type test annually for career purposes? I also ran across a report from Talent Quarterly stating, “At last count, there were well over 2,500 personality questionnaires on the market today. New tools continue to materialize based on the latest science of human behavior and consulting fads.”

Come on, 2,500 tests. How could anybody weed through this amount of information and have any certainty on the topic? It’s not realistic. And I don’t know about you, but when I’m taking a “test” for a job, I’m putting on my mask, answering what I think they want to hear.

The Debate Continues

While experts continue to debate the Myers-Briggs® theory: could the mother-daughter duo without a lick of psychology be reliable in terms of expertise? I just listened to a recent podcast interview with Brenee Brown and Scott Soneshein on Stretching and Chasing. They brought up beautiful examples of why experts don’t always bring about change; it’s the outliers who do so because they see the forest in the trees.

Ok, I have to admit the interview with Scott Soneshein on Stretching and Chasing was uber relevant as I’m a creative adaptive, meaning I take what exists and expand it into something new. It’s exactly what my personality type, ENTP, is all about. I’ve done just what Myers-Briggs® predicted; I’ve developed a new way to use personality tying, making it relevant, layering spirituality into personality typing.

7 Detours on the Road to Personality Typing

If you’re confused by contradictory information, below are seven common misunderstandings to explore. Please know I’ve been studying typology for ten years now from a creative adaptive viewpoint, researching many aspects of typology; I’m sharing what I’ve learned. And if you’re new to Unpack Your Personality©️ and want to learn more, start with an easy read here.

1. This Detour Says We’re Either an Extrovert or Introvert.

I believe the idea that we are just one aspect of our personality is very one-dimensional, and it’s a detour that leads to wrong thinking, moving us away from understanding our authentic selves. We are a blend of introvert and extrovert characteristics. For example, when someone sees a bubbly person engaged in conversation, they stereotype and say, oh, they must be an extrovert. Not always. Many introverts become lively conversationalists when a topic is interesting.

2. Another Detour is the Misunderstanding that You Have More than One Personality Type.

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This statement is untrue. You only have one personality type. You are not several Enneagram numbers, nor are your several astrological signs. Yes, there are rising characteristics for both the Enneagram and astrological signs. Same goes for personality typing, but I believe personality type’s rising traits (tertiary and inferior) are often confusing and cause mistyping.

I also believe, like the Enneagram and astrology, your personality was assigned to you at birth for this life’s mission here on Earth.

3. Are all Online Tests Bad?

I say no, with caution. Some online tests are not viable, and as a certified Myers-Briggs® instructor, I can tell you with certainty that a paid-for test will often be more reliable, but not always. Here’s my story. To earn your Myers-Briggs® instructor’s certificate, you go through an intensive weeklong class. Before the class, you take the Myers-Briggs® Type Indicator test. Midway through the course, you retake the test.

True story. My second test result was so far off from the first test. The teacher asked if I was having coursework issues. When I explained my situation, a single mom, mounting work deadlines, and the class intensity, he told me to disregard the second test and use the first. But how many people have an instructor who knows the person well enough to tell them you took a detour? Very few, if any, right? So here are my suggestions if you want to get accurate results, and again If you want to take the test and be confident in the results, read more here:

  • A free online quiz; I took it, and it was accurate; 16 personalities
  • Myers-Briggs® Type Indicator instrument test here there are fees involved
  • Personality Max free was also reliable; click here

4. Do Personality Types Change Over a Lifetime?

This is 1000% false. What always remains the same to some degree (where the trait sits on the function spectrum) are the following.

  • Where do you tend to focus your energy; external/extroversion or internal/introversion
  • How you absorb information; sensing/trust the five senses in real-time or in the past. Absorbing information vis intuition inspired by possibilities, imagination, patterns, and hunches,
  • Decision-making and coming to conclusions using thinking more logic-based or feelings what’s important to you and others,
  • Your lifestyle approach characteristics: judging is planned, organized, and systemized or perceiving flow, flexible or casual.

How these traits evolve is they bloom as you become more conscious of them in your everyday life. You learn how to use them in support of your dominant trait, which I’ve labeled your North Star. I’ll repeat myself because this is important. Your personality traits are assigned at birth, like your astrological chart and Enneagram. It’s deeply aligned with your soul’s journey here on Earth.

5. Are All People With the Same Four Letters the Same?

The short answer is no! When I speak of personality types with the exact identification, four-letter functional stack, for example, I’m an ENTP. Another ENTP will not be the same as me. WHY? Because our soul selves are an individuation of Divine Intelligence. Every person on the planet has a soul blueprint if you will.

Please also know the letters which identify your traits never change. What does change with maturity and self-knowledge is an awakening of your unconscious traits. You’ll become conscious of each, beyond your personality’s dominant and auxiliary traits – becoming the best version of yourself—your authentic self.

Spiritually speaking, I believe Divine Intelligence has assigned your personality type for this life’s incarnation. a Your personality supports the soul self to meet life’s trials, tribulations, and triumphs.

Do Countries Have Personality Types?

Additionally, we are all products of social, ego, and societal conditioning. There are countries that now have been identified via personality types, which I kinda cringe at because I don’t believe an entire population can be just one type. Yet I do believe country culture plays a role in shaping our personalities, as do our parents, relationships, and life experiences.

6. Are Personality types Religious, Spiritual, or Scientific?

Myers-Briggs is a system describing a person’s personality through four opposing personality functions, known as contrasts or dualistic differing. The first three preferences are based on the writings of Carl Gustav Jung, a renowned Swiss analytical psychologist. At the same time, the mother-daughter duo, Myer-Briggs®, added two more preferences, judging versus perceiving, based on their own observations.

In my research, personality typing is a theory. An idea that’s foundational in moving from the unconscious, undiscovered into conscious, discovered. It’s not driven by any religious or spiritual dogma. It’s deeply individualistic. Each person must find within themselves the ‘undiscovered self” that leads to the Divine Self. Life’s detours engage with the ego-self while the journey to your authentic self is the path that leads to the Divine Self. Additionally, Myer-Briggs® is not scientific in nature. Test results vary, and yet nothing revolving around humans is 100% because we are all different. Plus, the theory was developed through their human lens, just as spiritual personality typing was developed through my human lens.

Spiritually speaking, I believe personality typing is your DivineSelf experiencing the world through personality typing; actions, behaviors, and beliefs…

7. Typecasting Family, Friends, or Romantic Interests.

We all like to type people we know. I often get oh, Nina, you’re such an Aquarius, or that’s so 7. Which is all fine and fun. But honestly, nobody, including my family and even my son, knows exactly what I’ve been through. So please don’t judge somebody because you’ve typed them to be this or that. It’s unfair, uncool, and you’re likely to be uninformed.

Remember, your journey is deeply personal. It requires reflection and looking inward, facing your core fears while illuminating your deepest desires. While it’s true that the people who know us best can offer valuable insight, it’s important not to type others or to let anyone else type you.

Hoping 7 Detours on the Road to Personality Typing Helped!

My goal is always to bring a fun new take on personality typing, helping you see that your personality is more than a career tool. Did these 7 myth-busting personality type tips bring you more clarity? Can you see how personality typing is a theory to be used to bring light to the unconscious aspects of your personality on the path to your authentic self?

The beliefs above are mine and mine only. They’re based on years of study, research, and certification. My goal is to get you to a place where you proudly own and embrace your authentic self. It’s so much more enjoyable than trying to be someone else, competing, and not honoring your DivineSelt. 

Are You Entering or Going Through Life Transition? 

These are times of great chaos and evolution, a time when critical decision-making skills can positively alter the course of your life. It’s not the time to rely on someone else’s opinion. If you do, then they become the author of your impending new life. If you want to be the author of your next life chapter, you need to be fully in charge and capable of seeing yourself from your True Self.

I know this to be true. I experienced a major transition during my 7-year life tsunami. It was during this time I mastered my spiritual personality type, which took me through many life transitions; divorce, relocation, career change, single parenthood… It was a life-saving SOULUTION I didn’t even know I needed, but boy did I ever! 

You Are Not Alone

Are you asking yourself these questions; “Who Am I?” “How did I get here?” “Why Am I Here?” “What Are My Dreams and Desires?” Know you are not alone 93% of people desire to change something about themselves.

Why would you want to change what the Creator intended for you? Your personality type can help you find answers during times of great challenge, struggle, and pain, and the joy, growth, and gifts you are here to share with the world.

I say Don’t Change Yourself. Find Yourself. 

I’m here for you. To walk you through major life transitions. 

To guide you into creating a life beyond your wildest dreams. A big bold, juicy life ⏤ legacy living! 

Are you ready to identify your spiritually inspired personality type to bring about clarity, courage, and confidence? I believe in you and know your next life chapter is going to be more beautiful than you can imagine.

Learn How to Master Your Spiritual Personality Type?

Let me introduce you to Spiritual Personality Typing™️. Its personality typing with a spiritual understanding. If you want to live life from the soul self and master your personality type, you’ll need to become intimate with all of your traits and the shadow sides of them, too. Spiritual practices are a must. If you don’t fully understand your personality, how can you make smart decisions or decide what is best for you? You can’t and won’t!

How, you ask?

I provide resources using your personality type traits infused with spiritual know-how to help you clarify who you really are, which leads to enlightened living, full of meaning and fulfillment.

I’m also here to share the liberating lessons I learned going through my transitional 7-year life tsunami to help guide you through yours. So what are you waiting for? It’s time.

Note: I’m a certified Myers-Briggs® instructor with an intuitive side and ready to introduce you to a new paradigm in personality typing supported by a spiritual understanding.

Join The Movement

Are you ready to find yourself? If so, I’d love to see you on YouTube,  PinterestLinkedIn, or Instagram. But, of course, the best way to feel part of this community is by subscribing to my email list.

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It’s Time to Discover; The Soul’s Role in Personality Typing ©️ – Nina Zapala, an Inquisitive Type, ENTP.

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xoxo

nina 

Nina's Blog A learning library for spiritual personality typing

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I’m on a mission to help you rediscover your true self through Spiritual Personality Typing™️.

This approach is designed for those seeking deeper meaning and purpose in life, blending innate soul-led wisdom with logical intelligence. It’s an enlightened method to manifest a life you love, offering a roadmap to connect with your inner guide—the Divine wisdom within you.

This new personality paradigm integrates spiritual insights with the Myers-Briggs® framework, aiming to help you uncover your purpose, reinvent your life, and reveal your true self. Book a clarity call here to explore this transformative journey.

  • Entrepreneurs guided by their soul can benefit from tools, tips, and creative resources tailored to uncover their true calling. Book a mentoring call here to get started.

  • Are you hungry for self-discovery & more enriching vacations? Knowing your travel personality type is essential. Explore it, and get tips and travel hacks in my debut book, Unpack Your Personality: Let Your Inner Guide Be Your Travel Guide. Embrace the journey to a more fulfilling adventure. 

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Be Unmistakable 16 Personality Types. Eight Million People. What's Your Story?

Spiritual Personality Typing is a calling to find a path that is exquisitely yours. It’s for those that desire to be their “truest” selves in work, on the road and in life. It’s inspired living. Full of purpose, meaning and the freedom to be unapologetically you!

Begin the journey of discovering this transformative spirit-fed paradigm. Typing that inspires conscious living based on awareness and self-discovery.  Unconventional, and life-changing.🕊

Enjoy a life well lived. Rich with spirit, soul, and story.  I welcome you.