- Introversion-extroversion
- Intuitive-Sensing
- Thinking-Feeling
- Judging-Perceiving
Now I want to make sure you understand up front that none of these dimensions is negative. Each has its strengths and weaknesses. For example, introverted doesn't mean "backwards," but rather that your sense of energy and focus, and the important things, occur inside you. Extroverts get energy from the outside and put a lot of importance on the things that happen "out there." Introverts have less trouble being introspective, but dealing with people, for example, may wear them out. Extroverts thrive on interaction with people, but may have a harder time being alone with their thoughts.
I am an INTJ, meaning I'm introverted, intuitive, thinking, and judging. If you don't particularly care for my personality type, you are in luck. We are probably less than 1% of the population!
You can read about what the INTJ personality type means in full, but in short I project "definiteness," knowing what I know and knowing what I don't know. I am willing to work at relationships, but I have a need for things and people to make sense to me. When it comes to social conventions and rituals, I often don't get it. Remember the no birthday gift thing from a couple of days ago? The most significant part of the INTJ personality, at least in my mind, is that we're the folks who always say, "Why not?" Why can't things be changed? Why can't things go better? What can't we work toward the more ideal? Yes, it can be a little naive at times. But that's who I am.
"Power fascinates the NT. Not power over people, but power over nature. To be able to understand, control, predict, and explain realities. Note these are the four aims of science, control and understanding, prediction and explanation. Scratch an NT, find a scientist. " Any wonder I enjoy trying to create better bunnies?
Different personality types have different strengths and weaknesses. And, different personality profiles mesh better with other profiles, depending on the situation. For example, INTJs make good companions for ESTPs. And an INTP complements an INTJ well (perhaps they should be paired on a committee together, for example). ISFPs have the makings of a good friend for an INTJ.
My former boss Dick and I have non-compatible types. We worked pretty well together most of the time, but there were things about him that just baffled me, and vice versa. For one thing, he's even more of an "i" than I am. I'm very close to the border between introversion and extroversion. I can think out loud, for example, which drove him crazy. Being a very introverted "I," he thought and thought until the first thing he said was his final answer. When I opened my mouth, I was just getting started! When we figured out our types, it made so much sense of the times we had had trouble communicating or appreciating each other's strengths.
So what does this all have to do with rabbits? Well, there are 16 basic personality types and an infinite number of variations. Certain types of people tend to view the world in certain types of ways - and those ways may be very different from others. And yet, we find ourselves all in the same hobby. We work together to plan shows, to put together publications, to formulate and abide by the rules of the club, and to make showing rabbits rewarding for all participants.
When we butt heads with others, I think there is a tendency to see the other point of view as flawed or their way of doing things or thinking about things as inferior. Okay, that just might be what an INTJ would say! Perhaps another personality type would say, whatever is fine with me, which would then infuriate an ENTJ!
If you do not know what your personality type is, take the test and find out. It doesn't take long. It may help you understand why and how you view things (you will be amazed at how well the description fits you). And when you are serving on a committee, planning a show, observing someone handling a problem in a certain way, or are totally baffled by someone's response to a situation, consider the personality types and think about whether something as basic as a personality difference is operating.
Laurie Stroupe
The Nature Trail Rabbitry
Holland Lops Of Distinction
Precious Pet Rabbits
Pet Rabbit Care Information, Quality Pet Rabbit Breeders, and Rabbit Fun
