Personality - ISFJ

shirt: Buffalo Exchange, sweater: Old Navy, pants: New York & Co., shoes: Kohls

Today’s topic for Blogtember over at Story of My Life caught my attention because I always think it’s interesting to take a personality test.  I took this personality test and I'm an ISFJ – Introverted Sensing Feeling Judging. I remembered that I took it a little over 3 years ago in grad school, so out of curiosity I dug through my old binders to find my results. Turns out I haven’t changed a bit, which doesn't surprise me at all! I decided to select some statements from my results, and then provide my two cents about them and how they apply to me. 

ISFJs are characterized above all by their desire to serve others, their "need to be needed."

I'd say this is accurate and applies to both my personal and professional life! I'm sure it's why I was drawn to a helping focused career, and feeling wanted/needed is probably the number one reason I've always been secure in my relationship with my husband.

They are notoriously bad at delegating ("If you want it done right, do it yourself").

I am the worst at this! I’d much rather take on the responsibility of a task rather than risk that someone else completes it not quite to the standard I would do it. Awful, I know.

In the workplace, ISFJs are methodical and accurate workers, often with very good memories and unexpected analytic abilities.

So true, at least for being methodical, accurate, and having a good memory – I triple check everything, especially in my job as an Academic Advisor. Would you want to miss something and have to go back and tell a student that they were actually not able to graduate yet like they had planned? That’s my worst nightmare…I would be devastated! I also can remember a face or a name for what I think is a ridiculously long time. I had dinner with co-workers from my job I worked back from 2006-2009 and was able to remind them of the names of specific clients we had worked with! Unfortunately I’m guessing that most of them have long forgotten me.   

ISFJs make pleasant and reliable co-workers and exemplary employees, but tend to be harried and uncomfortable in supervisory roles.

I just don't have professional goals right now that include a position in management and that probably explains why. Also, the whole being bad at delegating thing doesn't exactly spell out great management material in my opinion.

While their work ethic is high on the ISFJ priority list, their families are the centers of their lives.

I love my job, but so much more important to me is my life that happens outside of it! 

ISFJs have a few, close friends. They are extremely loyal to these, and are ready to provide emotional and practical support at a moment's notice. (However, like most Fs they hate confrontation; if you get into a fight, don't expect them to jump in after you. You can count on them, however, run and get the nearest authority figure.)

When you take a look at my closest friends, they're the girls I've been friends with since we were little. One has been my best friend since before preschool even! So yes, with that comes extreme loyalty, unless you make me deal with a bunch of confrontation because that's just not cool. 

Head over to Story of My Life to check out more posts!