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The Principle of Constant Optimization: What's Your Myers-Briggs?
footenote:
"The Principle of Constant Optimization" brought to mind: What's your Myers-Briggs type?
I have always been a relentless optimizer (although not in MMM's class!). My INTJ (Introvert-Intuitive-Thinking-Judging) Myers-Briggs type is described as "constantly thinking about Plan B" and "master-minding" optimal outcomes.
If you're aware of your Myers-Briggs, please share your type and whether do you think those (innate?) tendencies brought you to Mustachian-ism. Are those of us who constantly, naturally optimize blind to the virtues of other personality types / approaches to life? (The INTJ / MMM in me wants to say "Heck no - they need a facepunch!")
Cecil:
I've taken Myers-Briggs maybe a dozen times throughout my life and I have come to the conclusion it's much like a horoscope.
I was a strong INTJ for most of my teenage years, but have since tested as ISTJ, INTP, ESTP, ENTJ, and at least one other, with varying degrees of strength. I've read all the descriptions and can find bits of each that I agree and disagree with.
I can test differently on two different days depending on what kind of mood I'm in, because all the questions are worded in such a way that I agree with both answers. Do I prefer to go to a party or stay at home? Yes, I like both and there are parts of both that I really enjoy. It depends on what I feel like at that specific time.
BPA:
I just retook it out of curiosity and came up with:
ENFJ
Extravert(67%) iNtuitive(12%) Feeling(12%) Judging(1%)
You have distinctive preference of Extraversion over Introversion (67%)
You have slight preference of Intuition over Sensing (12%)
You have slight preference of Feeling over Thinking (12%)
You have marginal or no preference of Judging over Perceiving (1%)
from http://www.humanmetrics.com/cgi-win/JTypes2.asp
So really, it would seem that I'm pretty borderline in three of the four areas. And could go either way in those three areas depending on the day.
Luckily I get a lot of the extroverted part of my personality satisfied at work or I might be tempted to spend money going out more often. When I finally retire, I'll need to find inexpensive hobbies to keep me engaged.
grantmeaname:
--- Quote from: footenote on May 15, 2013, 04:55:26 PM ---If you're aware of your Myers-Briggs, please share your type and whether do you think those (innate?) tendencies brought you to Mustachian-ism. Are those of us who constantly, naturally optimize blind to the virtues of other personality types / approaches to life? (The INTJ / MMM in me wants to say "Heck no - they need a facepunch!")
--- End quote ---
Myers-Briggs feels as false a categorization to me as biological races -- the way I see it, we're all distributed continuously along any infinite number of trait axes and picking just four of them and then looking for extremes instead of variation along those four. There's just no depth or meaning in it to me as far as explaining differences between individuals' personalities -- and that's before you consider cultural differences and life histories! Like Cecil, I find that I lean slightly more towards one of two equally good answers based on my mood and get reclassified every time I take a test.
EDIT: Not to be a seagull and shit and leave, though. My parents think Myers-Briggs is terrific and explains an awful lot about the world, for example. And I think the central question of the thread -- are certain personality types turned on and off by MMM or mustachianism -- is intersting and worth exploring. For that matter, was anyone else turned off by Jacob and spoken too by MMM like I was?
footenote:
Thanks for thoughtful responses!
1) I knew people would say "this categorizes people unfairly / unrealistically" responses. I agree - this isn't a horoscope. For those in the middle an axis (many are), it isn't especially meaningful.
2) Yes, our response changes over time. From what I read (I'm *not* an expert on this), this is normal. As we mature, we tend to moderate over time.
3) So far, noting a tendency among Mustacians toward J. Congruent with MMM-ness, yes?
Let the dialog continue....
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