The best personality type game I’ve ever played

Last week I announced that I’m discounting my coaching sessions from $350 to $150. I have never discounted sessions in the ten years that I’ve been coaching, but I decided to do it because I need to stick to a sleeping schedule and I thought if I schedule coaching calls to wake up and go to bed then I’ll get a schedule.

I’m so excited that so many of you signed up.

This does not mean that waking up at 7AM has been easy for me. In fact, I can tell I will need to do this for a long time. So I’ve been letting people sign up for $150 coaching sessions after the deadline. And then I thought, I should extend the deadline. Because I’m getting to talk with a much wider range of interesting people — ones who are unlikely to pay the $350 fee but find the $150 fee more manageable.

And then I thought, everyone should use this opportunity to check your type. Because unless you are an INFJ or ENFP, the chances of you typing yourself wrong are huge. For example, ENTJs and INTJs never mistype themselves, but lots of people mistake themselves as one of those two types. And STs frequently mistake themselves for Ns. And Is frequently mistake themselves for Es.

The test is not always all that accurate when you do it yourself. Because we mix up who we want to be and who we actually are. We also forget that the test is relative and comparative. When it comes to the characteristics that are most central to us, we assume everyone has those characteristics, because we can’t imagine life without them. So, for example, when I first started taking these tests, I did not think I was particularly goal oriented. But that’s only because I didn’t know people do things without having an end goal. For example, I literally didn’t realize that people liked to have fun just for fun’s sake.

The patterns are so clear to me — how people mistype themselves and why. And I spend a good part of every week helping people understand why their test results are inaccurate and what the right result for them is. At this point, I can read an email and know someone’s type in five sentences. So I thought I’d let you play the game with me.

Here are some real examples of emails I received:

Thank you so much for continuing to send me information about INTJs. I want to let you know that I always see your emails and read them. They describe me so well, and I will check out your course, however unfortunately I will not be financially able to take it at this time. 

This person is an INFJ. They are giving too much unnecessary information, and they are having financial issues. INTJs do neither of those.

Many thanks for the emails. Apologies that I am unable to respond. We are in the middle of appraisals at work and I am handling some projects that keep me extremely busy. PS I strongly think I’m an INTJ :)

Again. This person is definitely not an INTJ because it’s too much information, there’s an emoticon, and they are overwhelmed at work. It’s either an S mired in the details at work or an INFJ giving too much context.

I’m a 24 year old graduate from [redacted] whose next chapter is teaching English in China for 15 months. I was thinking of ordering the course for INTJs and also the one for freelancing. Which ones do you suggest for me?

A young INTJ starts to climb the ranks of corporate life immediately. They would never take a break so early on because they’d be too excited to solve all the problems. Also, an INTJ would not take the freelancing course unless they needed to stay home  for some personal reason and were going crazy at home not working. So, this person is probably an NF because an S would think teaching English is too impractical. I can’t tell from this email if the person is a J or a P, but I would then ask if they are a dreamer. An INFP would love saying they are a dreamer. An INFJ would see being a dreamer as indulgent.

I took the test. I can’t tell if I’m an ESTP or an ENTJ.

First, an ENTJ would never question their own type. But also, this guy’s email address is basically something equivalent to “knightinshiningarmor.” ESTPs are mostly men and they are the type that is most attractive to women. But they never stay.

What are the requirements for one to enroll in the recommended course? I’m an ENTJ. 

An ENTJ does not ask requirements for anything. Ever. They just do it. They have to be a J because they are asking about a right answer, but an INTJ would find the answer to this question themselves. And it has to be a T because “for one to enroll” is someone who does not have good communication skills – they are not writing how they talk. This means the person is an ESTJ. An S likes rules and would always want to know they are following the rules before they take action. Also STs frequently mistype as NTs.

…Thanks for help with personality type. Finally, I think I might be an ESTP and not an ESTJ. Any suggestions?

Most S types take the test when someone at work or a close friend or spouse asks them to. Ss are not naturally curious about things that are so unscientific and not concrete. But even if the person’s boss was asking for the test score, an ESTP would not care enough to have an extra conversation about it. So the person is an ESTJ.

When I take the test I get INFJ or INFP. But I used to get ENTJ or ESTJ. And my friend just took the test with me and she thinks I’m an ISFP. Can you help me figure out what I am?

This person is an ENFP. They are the only type that can test as anything. They are very flexible, open thinkers and they don’t like being boxed in by any one type. But they are the only type that feels this way. So not wanting to be just one type (and being able to identify with all types) is just part of being an ENFP.

If you want to see patterns like this, you should take the Personality Type Master Class. But the real reason I wrote this is to tell you that everyone can benefit from making sure they know their personality type. But it’s very difficult to know your own type. And I have found that people have groundbreaking insights about themselves once they realize their true type.

So unless you know you are an ENFP or INFJ, there’s a high chance that you have mistyped yourself. And a discounted session for $150 is a really good way to find out.

Of course, many of you will not have mistyped yourself, and then we’ll just have a regular coaching session. Which you will like.

If you want to sign up for a discounted coaching session, you can do it by paying $150 via this link. Then email me and we’ll schedule a time. As a reminder: you can you only get the discounted sessions at 7am Eastern or 10pm Eastern. Of course, I’m always still happy to talk to you at other times, it’ll just cost you the usual $350.

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  1. saraha app
    saraha app says:

    I think more like, Fi recognition (from id, I know it’s not in your top two but it’s strong in infj) of what most people (except estp and Entp) have in them that helps them build ethics on top of some, like, I don’t know, deeply internal sense of right and wrong. I hear infj say “practical reality” type stuff that sounds more to me like “people gonna be how they are” and I’m like, that’s not practical, it’s a weird assumption. Infj assumes a fundamental lack of mobility in others and Entp assumes a fundamental lack of stability in others, sometimes. So Entp sucks at hiring, and infj sucks at not being upset with people who fuck up accidentally.
    http://www.latestapkapp.com/
    “He was a journalist and is now a tutor.”

  2. noa
    noa says:

    I think this might be my first comment here ever. I have been a lurker for years. This is one of the few blogs whose name I remember and always come back to. I have taken a bunch of MB personality tests. Most of the time I type as INFJ. Quistic placed me as an INFJ twice. One time I tested as an INTP. I rode with that for a while but nothing I read felt right. I am an artist, perpetually broke. I can never finish anything except when I finish things. I can barely keep a schedule, except when I keep a schedule. But I like to plan. I am great at helping other people figure out what they are good at and I am good at synthesizing information. But I quit lots of things. Mostly out of boredom. Starting is more fun. Beginnings are more interesting to me I guess. I also don’t like being bad at things. I am also a parent to one kid. I never thought I wanted kids. I’m still not sure. But my kid is awesome and I am doing my best to deserve him :)

    Anyway. One of these days I will save up enough to buy one of the courses. I love your voice. I have been in and out since 2011? So I guess we’re in this for the long haul.

    • Penelope Trunk
      Penelope Trunk says:

      Thank you for sticking with me. I think you are probably an INFP. A xxxJ loves finishing things and getting closure, so you’re not a J. And a xxTx is not scared of things they are bad at — they take joy in learning to be good at it. Also, a T would not self-identify as an artist even if they did do art. So you are probably an INFP. And an INFP would feel like maybe they are not sure about their type because an INFP sees everything as a possibility so every type could be possible. Very few people think it’s reasonable to maybe be an INFJ or maybe be an INTP. The types are too different. Only an INFP could wrestle with that question.

      Penelope

    • Penelope Trunk
      Penelope Trunk says:

      It’ll last for a little while more. I’m trying to decide. I absolutely love having the structure to my day. Honestly, I never want it to end.

      Penelope

  3. Tina
    Tina says:

    I think the one item type differentiators that you describe are interesting. I have been diagnosed as aspergers as well and do the same thing. However I often get feedback that “people are far more complex than that and you cant tell a person’s type from a single characteristic”. How do you respond to this critique?

    E=too many words
    N=abstract
    F=actually cares about critique
    P=no real goal is asking, just curious as to how others think about it

    • Tina
      Tina says:

      Also-you might find this a useful tool when you are challenged by individuals who seem to not fit the “standard” for their personality type. The system is also based on Jungian theory but allows for non-mbti combinations in “creative use”. These appear to develop under very traumatic or long term stress in childhood and are static and lifelong, rather than a temporary inferior function breakthroughs. In 3M test results about 8% of adults worldwide fall into this creative grouping.
      http://www.thecolourworks.com/the-insights-creative-position/

    • Penelope Trunk
      Penelope Trunk says:

      I find all the criticism about personality type totally irrelevat. If personality type helps you, then use it. If it doesn’t help you then don’t use it.

      Penelope

  4. Ellen
    Ellen says:

    I am also good at typing people. I can often do it in a short conversation but I also recently successfully typed someone just by looking at him, without a conversation. E/I is particularly easy to do visually.

    • Ann
      Ann says:

      Ellen: How does your judgment system handle ambiverts? For example, INTJs who can act like ENTJs in a business setting?
      For example, I attended a workshop of young innovators yesterday. Before I walked through the door, I put on my ENTJ persona and maintained for six hours.
      I came home @4:30 pm, utterly exhausted. Fell asleep @ 6:30 and slept until 6 am.
      I am an INTJ through and through but can shift my behaviors to be more like an ENTJ for short amounts of time.

      • Ellen
        Ellen says:

        Well, I think this is a more complex science than it is sometimes implied on this thread…no one can be right all the time. There are too many variables. Such as those who have learned to compensate for the drawbacks of their type…

        Having said that, to answer your question, I’ve noticed that there is usually something different in the eyes/expression of an extrovert…they’re just more open to engagement. So even an introvert who is being really friendly such as an IxF, still has a more gentle look to the eyes even though they are really interested in you. Does that make sense?

      • Penelope Trunk
        Penelope Trunk says:

        Comments like this drive me nuts. All INTJs can be extroverts in business settings. Or anywhere else they give a shit, which is very few settings. And in fact anyone who says “I’m an ambivert because I can be an Extrovert in business settings” could only be an INTJ. An INFJ would think this but not use the pedanticly annoying word ambivert. Because an INFJ has social
        Skills and knows pedantic is annoying.

        Penelope

  5. Jill
    Jill says:

    I’m an INFJ and I’m sick and bloody tired of it. Here’s what I’d like to know: is it possible to shift types and become something more exciting and productive?

    • Jean
      Jean says:

      Hi Jill,

      I hear you – you’re tired of doubting and questioning your personality. It’s about better qualifying the situations you choose. You hate hypocrites and don’t understand how people could be threatened by your competence. You don’t want their position, only to advance ideas for the organization and the stakeholders.

      Read Carol Dweck’s ‘Mindset – the New Psychology of Success’. It will help you understand and discern the difference between a growth-mindset versus fixed mindset. The later sees failure as fatal, is focused on protecting the ego/status quo and feels validated in advancing there agenda above all else. They’re not interested in learning, advancing or working together for a better future.

      It’s not you, it’s about finding clarity and aligning with compatible mindsets. Good Luck and don’t give up.

      • Jill Lambert
        Jill Lambert says:

        Jean – thank you for your thoughtful and considered reply – much appreciated! I will check out the Mindset book that you recommend.

  6. Jason Grisham
    Jason Grisham says:

    I have noticed a commercial for transition eyeglasses. A 2 part set for a car manufacturing company with the spouse a returning astronaut. Another for a airline with a family going on vacation and the child dressed up like an astronaut. I was thinking about them and if put all together would be a great inspirational/motivational video series for relationships. Happy career accomplished people with a great vacation and high end functional car. Most work places don’t like transition glasses because you can’t wear sunglasses at work. You have to explain they are transition lenses and they are not sunglasses, etc.

  7. Rachel
    Rachel says:

    Penelope, I’m a type junkie and an INFP. I follow a lot of type thought leaders and I’m dying to ask one/all of you: Does mental illness, learning disability/difference make a bigger difference than type and/or do mental illness, learning disability/difference present predictably with type.

    For example, I’m an INFP and in Reddit (great source, I know) forum on Inattentive ADHD there were nearly a dozen INFPs. Plus INFP’s notoriously earn less, change and quit jobs more, and are unhappy at work, and are chronically financially unstable because of these things. Some of this disruption is so serious it starts to look diagnosable and in some cases (mine) it is.

    Basically I’m arguing INFP’s have a higher likelihood of being diagnosed with Inattentive ADHD and maybe social anxiety than the other types. And the other types prob. have other things going on in common. Like maybe anger management classes are full of the same type. Maybe we should be looking at type in combination with these diagnosable mental differences? Or maybe type is no longer needed since we can now diagnose these mental problems and differences? Is personality type irrelevant?

    Your thoughts?

  8. niya verma
    niya verma says:

    Thanks for sharing There certainly are a few noisy detractors on the anti Myers-Briggs bandwagon at the minute, but they are few compared with sheer volume of people who have been helped by the insights of knowing and understanding your type. “Know thyself

    • Penelope Trunk
      Penelope Trunk says:

      Yes, the discount is still available. Regular coaching sessions are $350 for an hour. If you do the session at 7am or 10pm Eastern you can pay $150.

      Either way, please make the payment via PayPal to penelopetrunk@gmail.com and send an email to me (same email address) to schedule a time to talk.

      Penelope

  9. dominika
    dominika says:

    I agree people sometimes see themselves as who they want to be and not as who they really are, however i find it ridiculous to type somebody based on few sentences. Cognitive functions are what matters but there are always factors that can affect the way somebody answers the questions. Think about it, how can you be sure somebody is honest, some people answer the questions to decieve others. People act different with friends, different with family and different at work. It is rare when you meet somebody who fits his type perfectly and i also believe even people of the same type might be different. At times you are not able to answer yes or no or even answer correctly when you can include frequency. Test shows you results and at one time or another it is just a slight dominance of p over f or t over f. If you answered two questions differently you would get other personality type. To this day i have been typed as intj, intp, infj, infp and istj. The funny part is I feel like a mix of intj, intp and somedays infp also, including istj when i am stressed about something.

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