The Keirsey Temperament Sorter

According to The Keirsey Temperament Sorter I am an ISFJ - Introverted, Sensing, Feeling, Judging.

aka. The Protector/Defender.

On reading the profile for this personality I think it fits me exactly. Some of the characteristics that stood out to me in particular are:

• Internal 'has a rich inner world' - I am very independent and struggle with long periods of close contact with people. I live alone and my friends don't understand why I'm not lonely but I'm not, there isn't a day I don't see people and enjoy the space and quiet when I go home at night.

• Awareness- I think I have always had an awareness of the people around me and how they are feeling. Also, of the bigger picture and how situations are affecting the wider world I think this comes from my passion of travel and different cultures.

• Speaks up when others need help - I am not very outspoken but this is one time when I do find myself speaking out, I don't like to see other people struggling and if I can help I will.

• Strong sense of responsibility and duty - this is something I get from my parents, my mum works for he NHS and my dad was in the army they both have a strong belief doing the right thing and fighting for good. I am also a big reader and the 'fight for good' is a reoccurring theme in may books.

• Learns best by doing, practical application - I have always been a practical person rather than academic. the best jobs I've had have been physical as opposed to computer/desk based.

• Will work long and hard to get things done - I like to do a good job, I get frustrated in work when they ask me to rush something or do half a job. I like to start - work hard - finish.

There are also negatives on the profile which fit me such as:

• Dislike doing things that don't make sense to them - I get this from my mum who has always said she couldn't be in the army because when they ordered her to do something she would be like 'Why?' and I have always felt the same way!

• Judgemental - I don't think I am particularly quick to judge but once I have made my mind up about someone I do struggle to change it.

• Trouble saying No, so gets overburdened - I often find I have said yes to more than I can reasonably o and then get stressed out because I have so much to do.

• Needs positive feedback or feels inadequate -  I'm not sure how much I 'need' this but I do respond better to positives than negatives - I always worked better in school for teachers that praised than the ones who shouted. But then I've never liked conflict either.

A recommended job is Interior Designer, something I have often thought about doing. as I have always had a skill with colour combinations and have an ability to imagine a space differently. Another job it recommends is Forest Ranger which is something else I have considered with my love o the outdoors; I have even done work experience with The National Trust.