We’ve been talking about our personality types and what contributes to the way we work as bloggers, creatives, freelancers, etc. Basically, how do we get work done in not only a nontraditional setting, but as nontraditional people. We covered some of this when reading Wired to Create, realizing that solitude is necessary and that we need to maintain reasonable goals. So today we want to talk about how different personality types affect that work.
Introverts vs. Extroverts
Both types of people can find themselves in entrepreneurial or work from home positions. I think it’s important to know how your own personality works when diving into any job, particularly one that requires self-starting, self-motivating, and major independence. On the Myers Briggs personality test, I’m an INFJ. (BTW I’ve never met someone who’s taken that test and not been blown away—have you?). I think my introverted nature both helps and makes my job difficult.
Being an introvert works for me because constantly being surrounded by people zaps my energy, and thus my workflow. So being able to work solo means productivity for me. I find that when I go to work meetings, it really helps with the social aspect – which I lack working from home – but I’m not as productive. On the other hand, it’s difficult as an introvert (and someone as reflective as me) to break away from the isolation that comes from working alone. If I want to be social – which everyone craves at some point or another, I really have to go out and force it! You can imagine the struggle for someone who doesn’t naturally put herself out there to maintain social connections in this environment.
What about the extroverts in these types of positions? I can’t speak from personal experience (chime in if you can), but I feel that these people can be great for the job too. They just operate a little differently. For extroverts and others who feed off of social interaction, they will likely seek out opportunity – which will only grow their business. Extroverts may struggle focusing and maintaining clear goals when constantly going at it alone.
Self Starters
To some extent you have to have to be a self starter if you’re going to own a business or freelance. Besides needing to pay the bills, there’s generally no one breathing down your neck. There’s no manager who can walk over to your computer and confirm that you are in fact completing a task. If you need more direction, you may struggle to complete projects or make deadlines. But that doesn’t mean it can’t be done, you simply need more organizational tools to keep you on top of it.
Highly Sensitive People
We both feel that we’re HSPs. A HSP (about 15-20% of people) would score highly on the highly sensitive person scale (which is also featured in Wired to Create). You might think it’s just about whether you cry in romantic comedies and get your feelings hurt easily, but an HSP is sensitive in both physical and mental ways—such as being easily overwhelmed by loud noises or being sensitive to pain. Just sitting in my studio, I’ll be distracted by temperature, sounds outside, and lighting, so I’m constantly battling this outer world while trying to sit and write! HSP generally react to even the subtlest things, so these are all magnified. And of course the most distracting thing of all—your thoughts!
HSPs “feel very deeply”. This means that when something triggers an emotion, it’s more intense for us. People are beginning to see how this can be an asset, and when it comes to my creative side I love that about me. However, being affected by feelings creates challenges. There are days when I have 30 things to do but I’m not sure how to work through my emotions, so I honestly just sit on my couch and think for a good hour. I have that much going on – I can just sit there, thinking, without action. I have to really pull myself out of all these emotional stimuli before I can get back to work.
Have you ever thought of how your personality affects your work? Let us know if you’d like to talk more about this!
Sarah says
Thanks for the informative article! I am an INFJ as well and probably highly sensitive too. I can relate to needing solitude to work, to think and to just be. I work from home on my blog, Etsy shops but also am a ballet teacher. I had a job a few years that did not work for me at all. My desk time was next to the receptionist in an open lobby. Everyone that came in was distracting and if I had to answer the phone~ argh! I have always worked in a singular office or at home and get so much more done :) However, when I teach ballet classes , I am stimulated by the people’s energy in a good way…. more physical and performance oriented,, but you are still thinking :)
Angela says
Ah, yes! That desk job sounds exactly like the one I had right out of collage. I think the fact that you teach gives you a really good balance (something to think about for me)!
Krista says
Loving this post, Angela! I’d never taken the Myers-Briggs test before, so I just found a version online and it turns out I am an INFJ too :) After reading the description, I was like “Yes, that’s me!”
The test I just took called the INFJ personality type “The Counsellor”, which I completely relate to. I currently work from home as a blog coach, and I feel like my personality type is completely suited for that role! In the past I’ve definitely worked jobs that were not good for my introverted nature, so I love that I’m now doing something that works so well for me and my personality.
Thank you for sharing!
x Krista
Sheila Joy says
This is a very informative post, thank you for sharing!
http://www.insearchofsheila.com
Sabrina says
I remember doing this test in high school, forgot what I had so I did one online and I’m a ISFJ “The Defender”. Says that I’m an introvert (100% true) but still sociable. My business is in the wedding and events industry, so I have to be extremely social – which for me can be exhausting and sometimes a little difficult (I’m naturally shy), which is probably why I tend to focus more on the behind-the-scenes work. I’m better with getting to know people one on one. lol ISFJ is so me. Thanks for the read!
http://www.atrailofglitter.com
Ashton says
Wow. I, too, am a highly sensitive INFJ! I work from home on my Etsy shop, blog & artwork. I relate so much to what you’ve written. Sometimes it feels like i’m the most productive in situations that would drive others mad. A full day at home alone is paradise to me! I struggled to work in an office setting for several years. The constant interruptions were so frustrating and at the end of the day I would be SO exhausted. I always wondered what’s wrong with me, but reading this article helped remind me that it’s just who I am and that’s ok! It’s really important that I work for myself, so I can live aligned with my needs. I’ve found there are a lot of us INFJs doing the same :)
Angela says
Thats a good point – I think if you work in an office setting and at the end of the day you feel too exhausted to even do anything, it’s a good sign it’s not the right environment! Most people are tired after any 8 hour shift, but a lot of times I think it’s the sitting/staring at a screen that makes you so tired. So it’s really good to get out frequently. Obviously not everyone can avoid the office but it always made me useless in the evenings, so I’m glad I can work on my own schedule now.