Oh leftovers, you make lunch so darn easy.
Dinner last night was one of our favorite go-to simple winter dinners: Italian sausage with peppers and onions. It’s a set it and forget it kind of meal that tastes great every time!
For lunch I ate a bowl of the leftover Italian chicken sausage and veggies with a side of cheese toast, prepared on a honey wheat English muffin.
Veggies, lean protein, whole grains! Woo!
Now brace yourself for some long-winded psychology talk. I just kept goin’ and goin’ on this one because I could talk about psychology and Myers-Briggs for hours. I find it fascinating!
Introvert vs. Extrovert
When I was a senior in college, I interned in the public relations department at the Florida Municipal Power Agency. I briefly touched on the positive experience I had at the company in the post where I met up with my former boss, Mark, for lunch on the day I announced we were moving to Ocala on the blog.
In that post, I mentioned how the company had every employee take the Myers-Briggs personality test so everyone could better understand their coworker’s personalities. Every employee’s results were then posted outside their office, which was helpful to me because I knew before approaching a colleague the ways that they preferred to communicate.
After answering a lot of questions, the Myers-Briggs test assigns you letters to define your personality:
- Extroversion (E) or Introversion (I): Do you prefer to focus on the outer world or on your own inner world?
- Sensing (S) or Intuition (N): Do you prefer to focus on the basic information you take in or do you prefer to interpret and add meaning?
- Thinking (T) or Feeling (F): When making decisions, do you prefer to first look at logic and consistency or first look at the people and special circumstances?
- Judging (J) or Perceiving (P): In dealing with the outside world, do you prefer to get things decided or do you prefer to stay open to new information and options?
I honestly cannot remember all of my letter results (I wish I would’ve kept them!), but I do remember that I was labeled an extrovert. This didn’t really surprise me based on the stereotypes I had in my head for what I thought classified people as an introvert or an extrovert.
You know, the crazies of the world. 
As I began to talk with the woman from Myers-Briggs who administered the test and my boss, I actually realized that I have a lot of introverted tendencies. They told me that from a psychological standpoint, this is quite common. Many people are both introverts and extroverts, with one side only slightly dominating.
I also found it fascinating when my boss told me that his wife is actually an introvert. His wife was one of my favorite professors in college and was as bubbly and outgoing as they come.
Knowing that she tested an “introvert” helped me understand that the Myers-Briggs test didn’t determine whether you were an introvert or an extrovert the way we seem to. If you’re quiet, you must be an introvert. If you’re loud, you must be an extrovert. Not so with Myers-Briggs!
It boiled down to where you get your energy, the woman from Myers-Briggs explained. Extroverts get their energy from the outside world while introverts get their energy internally, she said. Introverts often need alone time to feel rejuvenated and alive, but they can still be quite outgoing! Extroverts feel alive around people, but may still be rather quiet in social situations, according to Myers-Briggs.
I feel like I flirt with the line between extroversion and introversion. I definitely feed off the energy and excitement of others, but I absolutely need alone time to recharge and collect myself before go-go-going.
When I think of someone who is a true extrovert from a Myers-Briggs standpoint, I think of my good friend Merri. She is so fun, social and excitable and when we talked about this before, she said that she could be around people for days and days on end without feeling the need to be by herself.
I guess that’s where my introverted side comes in.
I love being around people, but need time to myself. This was something Ryan actually learned about me when we moved in together (see point number four on this post), and something that he thought was a little unexpected given the fact that I am rather outgoing in social situations. I get excited, talkative and energetic around people, but I love being by myself at times, too.
I think that’s why I really, really loved the Myers-Briggs test. At times I’ve felt like people expect me to be able to go, go, go and be outgoing all the time because I am naturally rather social, but I do need time to myself to recollect and I find too much social stimulation draining.
If you’re a psychologist, I’d love to learn more about what you think of the Myers-Briggs test and how you personally define introversion and extroversion, as I know there are a lot of opinions and studies out there.
Question of the Afternoon
- Would you define yourself as an introvert or an extrovert… or a bit of both?
- Do you feel like you get the most energy from being around others, or do you need time alone to feel rejuvenated?
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I went through the training to become a MBTI administrator a few years back. The trainer put up the chart with all 16 types and then explained to us that the type chart is like a house, each type is a room and while our house has all the rooms, there are some we prefer to others. And we also learned that you should never assume someone’s type, this was a big deal to me, because at the time I had a boss who was always saying, “I bet so and so is an ENFP like me, we are so alike.” She would also say backhanded things to me like, “Oh, you just don’t understand, you’re an ISFJ.” Ha ha, and now my ISFJness is doing good elsewhere :). I do think it is a useful tool and had fun using it with students.
LOVE this post! Funny quick anecdote: My BFF and I took this in college. I believe it’s on a 30 point directional scale, with plenty of people falling in the “0” or mid-point range, meaning you are equally E and I. I was a 30/30 on the Introvert side while my BFF was 30/30 on the Extrovert side. 🙂
Needless to say I need lots of alone time! I have an office job now but luckily get to work from home at least once a week, and honestly by Thursday or so I NEED a day to be at home and only see my dogs and husband. I get so worn out just saying hi to people and have to re-charge my batteries.
I think MBTI is super helpful and it’s helped me feel better about being “authentic” – I can be myself and speak up in meetings to share my view but don’t feel guilty anymore about not being excited to go to big parties and meet 60 new people.
I’ve always loved personality tests! I’m studying currently to get my Master’s in Marriage and Family Therapy and some of the classes have touched on this as well already.
You can actually take a similar one here: http://www.humanmetrics.com/
Knowing that I’m an iNFJ helps me understand how I prefer to receive the big picture then work out the details rather than focus in on the details, that I like having a set plan, etc. It also helps me recognize how I naturally communicate and when I can adjust that to communicate to those with different types.
That will give you an idea of all your letters and having them all really helps see where you’re at–plus, they will do the percentages since like many others have said we all run on a spectrum rather than a solid one or the other.
Other personality tests that are popular include the Big Five from Costa & McCrea. This one tests out more reliable and accurate but there aren’t many freebie tests.
Other ones include the DISC profile and then Strengths Finder/StrengthsQuest does a great job highlighting your strengths to show the areas you can focus on–Marcus Buckingham has great resources. Knowing that I’m mine are Achiever, Learner, Input (gathering info), Connectedness (I like to feel connections and easily connect information), and Restorative helps me so much in knowing what areas of work I enjoy and thrive.
Hope that helps a little and love that you posted on this!
awesome!!!! thank you so much, katy!
I did the Meyers Briggs at the start of of my MBA and at the end. They like to see if the way the teach can impact. Mine stayed the same- ESTJ but I did border the other categories at the end of my program. Very interesting!
I’ve taken that test a few times and always test on the Introvert side but people who know me never believe me!
I have friends like Merri too, that can be around people 24/7 and love every minute. That sounds exhausting to me!
I have a PhD in psychology, specifically, developmental psychology, and I can tell you that from a scientific and research standpoint, personality tests such as the Myers Briggs don’t hold much merit. For some reason workplaces like to use them, but I’m not entirely sure that’s a good thing, I guess it depends what they use them for. But then again, a lot of people would argue that those of us in academia are living in ivory tower and have no sense of what works/doesn’t work in the “real world”. I for one, am not a fan of “static” personality tests though, they are definitely considered obsolete in the field of social/personality psych.
I posted something similar above! I’m getting a PhD in social psychology (one more year, hooray) and my experience re: the MBTI is pretty much identical to yours.
very interesting and good to know! thanks for a professional’s insight, missy! i can see how personality tests might pigeon-hole people into labels and be very limiting.
I always test ESFJ…however, I find myself as I am finishing college, that my E and I are becoming more even. I used to be a strong E, but now it is really balancing out. I still test more of an E. Myers-Briggs absolutely fascinates me. You can take shorter(and free) tests online and they say what famous people have your personality types and what type of profession tends to work best for each personality types. It works wonders when you do it in a group that you are working for or working with. It helps to see where other people are on certain things and understand why people act or react the way they do. I am also interested to see if couples test the same or opposite.
Hi Julie! It’s so awesome to hear of other organizations embracing Myers-Briggs. About 9 years ago our new CEO decided our company was going to do the same with the exception that I would be teaching the classes to all the employees. So I became a Certified Myers-Briggs practitioner and do training for our company and freelance with local organizations as well! Wow do I love MB. It has forever changed our organization and even my viewpoint of my co-workers (working in HR I already thought I “knew” people – boy was I wrong). And guessing from what I read on a daily basis I would say you’re a ESFP but that’s just a guess. Have a great day!!
what a COOL job!! i’m actually really interested in this… do you have more information you could possibly email me (pbfingers@gmail.com)? it seems like such a rewarding and stimulating job!
I love this post! I majored in psych so I love this kind of stuff. I have taken the test a few times and have ended up being an extrovert and an introvert depending on my answers each time–so I guess I have almost equal parts of both! I love being around other people and am very social when I am, but I also need to have alone time. I think what mostly makes me an extrovert is my need to always talk things out with other people rather than figuring stuff out in my own head. It probably gets annoying for my friends/family but what can I do 🙂
I am going to guess that you are an INFJ. We should start a poll here 🙂
I took that test in med school. I think it’s too oversimplified but for the most part, pretty accurate.
I love that you did a post on this! Last semester my leadership class took the Meyers Briggs test and I thought it was extremely insightful. Then I talked to my boyfriend about it, who’s currently getting his doctorate in psychology. He told me that the business world (I’m a marketing major) LOVES Meyers Briggs but that psychologists don’t use it because its been proven to be unreliable and not valid. He said major journals wont publish you if you use the MBTI as a reference and that in general his field belittles it. I thought it was really interesting that an entire industry can be so in love with it while another can completely shun it. I still think taking the test was pretty fun and accurate but I love all personality tests! 🙂
that is really interesting!
I seriously love this post! It is soo interesting to me all the facets about our personalities and the factors that help us define ourselves. I want to take the test! I always assumed I am an introvert, maybe not!
I’ve done the MBTI in a few classes, both in undergrad and grad school. The first time I took it, I was an ESFJ and then 5 years later, I was exactly the same. It’s funny too, when I read the description of the “ESFJ” personality, it’s kind of scary how well it describes me. Also, just this week at work, we all did a color personality test that was aimed at helping us better understand who we work with. It has 4 colors, Blue, Green, Gold, and Orange. I don’t know what the actual instrument is, but I scored a blue, which is similar to the emotional qualities of an ESFJ.
I think I am a mix of both! Haha 😀
I have taken the Myers-Briggs test!!! I kind of hate it I must admit, but only bc I feel like a test like that doesn’t really feel out who you really are.
I was so excited to see this post title – the discussion on Myers-Briggs in my PSYC100 class was actually what made me decide to become a psych major in college!! It’s so incredibly interesting and I like how it’s one of many psychological concepts that places people at different points along a spectrum instead of at poles (i.e. what you were talking about regarding how people can have both introverted and extroverted tendencies instead of having to be solely one or the other). Very cool thoughts!
i am a total introvert.
on a side note… what is up with the cheese on that english muffin?!
LOL – i thought the same thing! it looks leathery, no? i think i waited too long to snap the picture, so it congealed a bit. still tasted good though!
Have you seen this yet?! http://chocolatecoveredkatie.com/2012/01/09/better-than-nutella/ Because if you haven’t you wil scream and run to your kitchen… just guessing :p
yes!! i love her blog – so delicious!
I’d def consider myself an extrovert and think it has it’s pro’s and con’s… Love being around people but also a little “me” time everyday 🙂
Ive taken this sooo many times. I always come out ENFP. I am definitely and extrovert. Their enthusiasm lends them the ability to inspire and motivate others, more so than we see in other types. They can talk their way in or out of anything. They love life, seeing it as a special gift, and strive to make the most out of it.
I was always a great motivator, and inspirer. I hire people for a living and try to find their best traits and see if they are a fit for my company. I also was able to motivate and inspire 11 software engineers who had never ran a day in their life to participate in our 12 man 200 mile relay team in California last year. That was an adventure!
I’ve taken a test simliar to this, and I am DEFINITELY an introvert! The thing about the test I took though was the it emphasized how over time you can adapt. So, for instance, my husband is extremely extroverted and thrives in social settings. Over the past 1.5 years of our marriage, I’m still an introvert, but I’ve developed some small extrovert tendencies 🙂
This kind of stuff is really interesting to me too!
I definitely think I’m more of an introvert, but I’d be interested to take a Myers-Briggs test & see the results!
Well said! I have a BA (Hons) of Psychology and so many people still think extraverts are outgoing and introverts are secluded. NOT TRUE!! I’m definitely an extravert with introvert qualities. I enjoy my alone time, but when you boil it down, I NEED other people in my life to give me energy. It’s like I start slowing down the more alone time I have, but being around others recharges me.
i agree w/ you 100 percent! i think your comment reflects the way i feel exactly!
I think I’m a mix. I love being around other people, and I was even talking to my dad last night about how I wouldn’t want to take an online class because I enjoy being in a classroom with other people.
At the same time though, I value my alone time, like coing home after a long day and just chilling.
definitely did this with my husband during our wedding prep, i’m an ENTJ, he’s an INTJ, so he’s teaching me to enjoy some down time and i convince him he has more energy to keep doing more things. loved the test, though
I work in higher education/student affairs and we use this all the time! if you can remember what your full type is, this website is extremely helpful/interesting in discovering more about yourself, your relationships, your potential career paths, your friendships, etc. http://www.personalitypage.com/
awesome! thank you!
I am soooo an introvert. Every personality test I’ve ever taken has said just that and I fit those characteristics to a t. Hard to explain to people what it really means to be an introvert sometimes, but I love this article about it!
http://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2003/03/caring-for-your-introvert/2696/
so interesting! thanks for sharing, liz!
This is something I think about a LOT, oddly enough. I am a very extroverted person in the stereotypical sense: talkative, “bubbly,” etc. However, ever since I became a teacher, I CRAVE alone time—like, a lot of it. I know it has a lot to do with being “on” all day, every day, but it’s something I’ve had to adjust to since I started working five years ago. Like Ryan, my boyfriend has had to get used to it, too! When I come home, I just want to be by myself, in the quiet, and not listen to myself talk any more!
Haha, this is so strange, as my husband and I were just talking about this: I am an INTJ and he is ENFP–almost opposites, lol. It’s often OBVIOUS by how differently we do things. But we’re pretty close to each other still, it’s a really interesting test. The Keirsey info is pretty neat, too, which is a different (kind of) way of looking at it.
I am an ESTJ and it fits, my daughter is the exact oposite, she is an INFP – . My job is easier know what peoples personality types are – then I know how to approach them.
I totally need time alone! I used to work in higher ed, and I gave that test to my students. You can probably find the assessment posted somewhere online on a college career services website if you want to take it again!
I’m classified as an extrovert but I definitely have introvert moments and need to be by myself. I get overwhelmed around the holidays with a house full of family!
I’m definitely a little of both when it comes to being an extrovert vs. an introvert. I’m working on being myself around my friends – instead of keeping a lot of my personality to myself! (Not that I am being fake, I just know that there are parts of me that I don’t even realize are hidden, but they are!)
Students at my high school around sophomore year, or if you take a “senior seminar” class as a senior take the M-B test – it’s a great way to determine which careers may best fit you when you’re on the path to deciding what you want to do with your life! My code is ENFP!
amazing post! psychology has always interested me, but my true passion lies with nutrition. according to myers-briggs definition, i’m definitely a bit of both introvert and extrovert. i’m really talkative and social but i NEED to be alone for the bulk of the day. being around ppl tires me lol
I just posted about this, and you’re not alone… I am fascinated by this too! I am definitely an introvert and get my energy from being alone.
Here’s a link I found where you can find out your type:http://www.teamtechnology.co.uk/mmdi/questionnaire
and this link tells you about all the 16 different types/combos: http://www.personalitypage.com/high-level.html
Julie, I have a quick question regarding the sausage and peppers that you made! Is there a specific type of chicken sausage that you buy? I feel as though I’ve bought so many brands and I haven’t fallen in love with one. Either they taste like hot dogs or they have a strange consistency. Thanks!! 🙂
yes! i love al fresco or aidell’s brand chicken sausage. i’ve tried and loved nearly every flavor. they’re DELICIOUS and i highly recommend them. both are all natural, too!
I had to take a 7 hour personality test (part of it being Meyers Briggs) before starting work with my company. I was so shocked by my results! I always thought I was all about facts, but really I have much more emotion in me. And just as you with the introvert/extrovert, I NEED alone time and so while I’m a people person, I have lots of introvert tendencies. It’s SO helpful to know where other people fall!
I haven’t had to take the famed Meyers Briggs yet, but for leadership teams during college we had to take some sort of leadership personality test and I LOATHED it. I wonder if Meyers Briggs will draw out the same reaction in me or if I’ll be surprised!
And I, like you and many commenters, also love people but love alone time in the mix as well 🙂
This is a really interesting post! I haven’t taken a Myers-Briggs test, but I think I might tend towards an extrovert based on what you posted. I’m really not a very talkative person in every and all social situations, but I think I definitely get my energy from people. I like to be alone for short occasional periods, but if I spend long periods of time on my own I go stir-crazy and get SO, SO lonely. I need people!
Love this post! I had a class in middle school where we studied the Myers-Briggs test once and talked a lot about the introvert/extrovert portion and the energy aspect of it.
I’m definitely an introvert. Even though I love being around people, I always have to have time to myself to rest a little.
ooo good topic! I think that I am more an extrovert, but I have introverted tendencies – ie: I cannot be around other people for too long. I need my alone time!!
Great topic! I am in-between an ex and in-right down the line per M-B. if you met me you would think ex all the way! But Oh do I put on a good fake job. I REALLY REALLY need to be alone on a regular basis–understand how difficult this is with three kiddos and a job? I’m dyin’ for a walk in the woods–by myself! You really have a great job for someone right down the line–have a great night. e
LOVE this post. For so many years of my life I thought something was ‘wrong’ with me. It was not until I was introduced to the meaning of an introversion and extroversion. I studied up and read ‘Party of One – a Loners Manifesto’ and had my ‘Ah-ha’ moment. It was so relieving to know I was a normal person, I had nothing wrong with me, I was just extremely introverted. I LOVE that your company had everyone take the test… I think that is such a good idea in learning how to deal with individual personalities. ok, sorry for the novel 🙂
I feel similar to you, Julie. I am often very outgoing and love to spend time with other people, but at the same time I absolutely crave “me” time where I can just be alone with my own thoughts.
I have tendencies in E & I too — as well as J & P. When I took the test 10 years ago in grad school I tested as an ENFJ and while I think I was more borderline in certain areas then – I’m more set as an ENFJ now.
I have to agree that being an extrovert doesn’t necessarily mean that you are terribly outgoing (I’m not!) but how you react to the world around you. I’m quick to react outwardly to something – I don’t just let it sit around and stew. In this way I am definitely an extrovert!
I’m definitely an introvert although, like you, I do get very excited and talkative in many social situations. I definitely noticed the introvert in me come out around the holidays–after 6 days of constantly being around people and excitement and sharing a room at night with four other people, I CRAVED some time to myself. I think I spend an entire day just reading and running errands by myself after we got home!
Wow!! I cannot begin to tell you how thrilled I was to read the heading of your blog post because I had JUST learned that in the Psychology class I am taking online. I am actually studying right now to take a test on that exact material, the different perspectives on personality and the different types of personality tests, including Myers-Briggs. I am very interested to find out whether I am an introvert or an extrovert because I honestly don’t know. I am very outgoing and love meeting new people/ going to social gatherings, but I definitely love my alone time! Thanks for such an interesting blog post, definitely brightened my day!
Such a lovely post! I’ve been thinking about this a lot lately, actually. My roommate is a HUGE extrovert. She’s bubbly, outgoing, and is alwaaays doing something social.
I’m definitely a combination of both. I love meeting new people and I’m never “shy”, but I do need a fair amount of time to myself to stay sane. I love my quiet time just as much as my time out with friends. (: