ESFP "The Performer" - What do Marilyn Monroe, Pablo Picasso, Magic Johnson and Ronald Reagan all have in common?

NIn my humble opinion any discussion of career passion must include the Myers-BriggsType Indicator (MBTI).  The MBTI tool consists of multiple choice questions that sort respondents on the basis of the four "dichotomies" (pairs of psychological opposites). Sixteen different outcomes are possible, each identified by its own four-letter code, referred to by initial letters.  I am an ESFP (Extravert, Sensing, Feeling, Perception) also known as The "Entertainer".  I tested as an ESFP 25 years ago when I first took the Myers Briggs and while I hope a lot has changed (maturity, responsibility, etc.) 25 years later I still tested as an ESFP:

E – Extraversion preferred to introversion: ESFPs often feel motivated by their interaction with people. They tend to enjoy a wide circle of acquaintances, and they gain energy in social situations (whereas introverts expend energy).

S – Sensing preferred to intuition: ESFPs tend to be more concrete than abstract. They focus their attention on the details rather than the big picture, and on immediate realities rather than future possibilities .

F – Feeling preferred to thinking: ESFPs tend to value personal considerations above objective criteria. When making decisions, they often give more weight to social implications than to logic.

P – Perception preferred to judgment: ESFPs tend to withhold judgment and delay important decisions, preferring to "keep their options open" should circumstances change.

Other Notable ESFP's include:  Magic Johnson, Marilyn Monroe, Pablo Picasso and Ronald Reagan

ESFPs live in the moment, experiencing life to the fullest. They enjoy people, as well as material comforts.  Rarely allowing conventions to interfere with their lives, they find creative ways to meet human needs. ESFPs are excellent team players, focused on completing the task at hand with maximum fun and minimum discord. Active types, they find pleasure in new experiences. 

ESFPs take a hands-on approach in most things. Because they learn more by doing than by studying or reading they tend to rush into things, learning by interacting with their environment. They usually dislike theory and written explanations. Traditional schools can be difficult for ESFPs, although they tend to do well when the subject of study interests them, or when they see the relevance of a subject and are allowed to interact with people.  Observant, practical, realistic, and specific,

 

ESFPs make decisions according to their own personal standards. They use their Feeling judgment internally to identify and empathize with others. Naturally attentive to the world around them, ESFPs are keen observers of human behavior. They quickly sense what is happening with other people and immediately respond to their individual needs. They are especially good at mobilizing people to deal with crises.  Generous, optimistic, and persuasive, they are good at interpersonal interactions. They often play the role of peacemaker due to their warm, sympathetic, and tactful nature.  Living in the here-and-now, they often do not think about long term effects or the consequences of their actions.  While very practical, they generally despise routines, instead desiring to 'go with the flow.' They are, in fact, very playminded. Because ESFPs learn better through hands-on experience, classroom learning may be troublesome for many of them, especially those with a very underdeveloped intuitive side.

I loved taking the Myers Briggs Test in my early 20's because it helped me learn not to apologize for who I was (acting impulsively, always seeking the amicable route, choosing group activities versus solitary ones).  Sometimes this personality type has not served me well, but it's me and I've learned to navigate it.  I have learned to not react quite as quickly as I would have in the past.  I have come to look forward to time alone time and I have tried to learn to incorporate logic and not just emotion into my decisions (Lol!).  The MBTI solidified my original career-choice as a salesperson and twenty-five years later it helped me to redirect my career.  

All of that said, I strongly urge all "Career-Passionists" ... if you have not done so already ... to take a moment to identify/re-identify what your your career passion looks like so that you may learn ... 

• How you focus your attention or get energy (extraversion or introversion)
• How you perceive or take in information (sensing or intuition)
• How you prefer to make decisions (thinking or feeling)
• How you orient yourself to the external world (judgment or perception)

TAKE THE TEST AND PLEASE CHECK IN AND LET ME KNOW WHAT YOU ARE! I LOOK FORWARD TO HEARING FROM YOU! :) In the meantime, here is a list of Career Choices for the ESFP: the Entertainer/Creator personality.  ActorArtist Admin Assistant Coach Comedian Church Worker Child Care Entrepreneur Fashion Designer Human Resources Interior Decorator Lawyer/Attorney Marketer Musician Painter Psychologist/Counselor Photographer Recreation Worker Receptionist Systems Analyst Supervisor Sales Representative Social Worker Scientist Technical Specialist Trainer