Well, it seems I’m an INFP (Introvert, Intuition, Feeling and Perception), according to the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator test. I’m really not surprised by the results because the last time I took this test I was categorized as an ENFP. Apparently, I’m more of an introvert now than I was 10 years ago. Again, no surprise there. I still love interacting with new people; however, I find it more draining now than I did a decade ago. I’m more selfish of my alone time now, too, as I need my solitude to recharge.

So, what does an INFP look like?

According to the readout I got, someone like this:

Sensitive, concerned, and caring
Loyal to people or a cause
Guided by an inner core of values in decision making
Focused on contributing to their own and others’ inner development and growth
Committed to a strong personal belief system
Likely to enjoy reading, discussing, and reflecting on possibilities for positive change
Usually seen by others as sensitive, introspective and complex

Yep, I’d say that’s me in a nutshell.

Here are a few other quotes I’d like to draw attention to from my readout:

“INFPs look for meaning; they look for it in their lives, in their work, and in their relationship with others. They may feel a strong need to contribute something of importance to the world or to have an impact on the lives of those about whom they care, though they can also be quiet observers of people and humanity at large.”

“INFPs have a desire for harmony which may at times get in the way of their getting their own needs met.”

“Intuition gives their Feeling a future focus and orients INFPs to the abstract and symbolic. Intuition, however, is always secondary to the
deep-felt valuing and caring that characterizes their Feeling. Their orientation to the future something finds expression in their desire to help others manifest their potential. Their Intuition may also find embodiment in creative activity or show itself as an interest in communication.”

“If interested, INFPs may find an outlet for their gifts in the fields of writing, journalism, or foreign languages…their writing also tends to have a warm personal tone. Many INFPs also have a deep love and enjoyment of reading.”

“With interests in academics they may be found in the fields of literature, psychology, and the arts and sciences. Spirituality can also play a large role in their lives, as they look for a personal connection to something larger than themselves. Though INFPs care about people, they are often drawn to fields where they can work independently. Their behavior in the outer world is usually characterized by flexibility and they may be frustrated by routine, structure and rules.”

“Because INFPs are often attracted to new possibilities, and because they may have difficulty saying no, they may bite off more than they can chew. They can have too many projects going to successfully complete any of them. Under stress, they may also become rigid and perfectionistic, feel inadequate, and become critical of themselves. Under extreme stress, and in surprising contrast to their tolerant and caring style, they may even become outwardly critical of others, feeling that others are failing to meet the ideals the INFP has set for them.”

Well, that’s me, I guess, at least according to this test. I agree with it on the whole, although it also shows that I like to make lists of things to do AND that I enjoy structure when I’m over-busy! Still, while I mostly rebel against these types of tests, it’s always nice to have an additional mirror into ourselves. I love learning, so I’m happy to take this and expand it in my own life.

When it comes to your job, are you going through the motions? Does your career and life seem to be running on autopilot? Has the mundane and ho-hum replaced the excitement, drive and passion you once had for your work?

If so, you’ve got a classic case of “Career Stagnation Syndrome” – that’s CSS for short.

But, wait a moment. How can I know for sure? What are the complications of CSS? More importantly, how can I get rid of it? You know you may be experiencing “Career Stagnation Syndrome” if:

• Your job has become a fixed and boring routine or “rut;”
• Your career is no longer a path, but a monotonous cycle;
• Your motivation is not as high as it once was; and
• Despite your performance, the satisfaction you once had with your job and your career path is slowly, yet steadily taking a nose dive!

Sound familiar? Although you may feel like the only one out there struggling to rekindle the motivation and to avoid the rut that seems to get deeper and deeper, take heart. Chances are your coworkers, team members – even your manager or VP – may be similarly stuck in the “I-can’t-seem-to-snap-out-of-it” rut.

It happens to the best of us, especially if we no longer feel challenged. And, it can sneak up on us when we least expect it. One minute, our career performance and overall job satisfaction couldn’t be higher and then, something happens. Like hitting a pothole in the road, our motivation takes a dip. It can even happen to us when we are performing above and beyond company expectations, exceeding our sales goals, and achieving great success.

Recently, one of my new clients confessed that, despite reaching his annual sales goal and setting a new company record, he felt “stuck in a rut.” That fire he once had for his job is gone and the challenge, excitement and opportunity that initially compelled him to take the job in the first place has evaporated into thin air.

And, just when we think we are safe, CSS can strike, zapping all the best laid plans to move our career forward…

Continue Reading…

I don’t know about you, but I not interested in spending time on work that is meaningless or less than fulfilling. Been there, done that. And, no matter how big the paycheck, it doesn’t seem worth it to me. But, that’s just my opinion…

I have the wonderful opportunity of helping my clients find more satisfaction and fulfillment in their work, whether it means a new career or it requires an escape from the establishment in order to start their own businesses. Regardless, my clients all have one thing in common: they want to do something that brings them a sense of purpose, allows them to live their passion, while providing financial rewards or profit at the same time. Passion and profit don’t have to be mutually exclusive, you know…

I digress. Now, for that resource I mentioned in the title of this post.

Last year, I almost yelled out with glee in Borders one evening when I discovered a wonderful new magazine, Motto. This thoughtful and relevant publication was started by two former Wall Street Journal folks, Kevin Salwen and Anita Sharpe.

Dedicated to creating passion, purpose and profit (as their tagline implies), they are the voice of that has been missing from many business conversations. And, in the era of corporate scandals, such as Enron, WorldCom and the like, What’s Your Motto (formerly known as Worthwhile Mag) is a breath of fresh air. Apologies for using a cliche…but it’s one I read from cover to cover.

No time for the mag? Check out Worthwhile’s blog. Kevin, Anita and the gang post regularly (almost daily), always providing fresh topics for your next discussion about “where is my career heading” or “why don’t I start that business I have always dreamed about.”

In case you missed it, here’s the link again - http://www.whatsyourmotto.com/

Trust me. It’s worth your while.

Technorati Tags: business magazine, meaningful work, What’s Your Motto, Kevin Salwen, Anita Sharpe

Success.

What does that really mean? And what do we mean when we say, “I want to be successful?”

Unless you live on a different planet than I do, you can hardly go a day without someone - either you or someone you know - talking about it.

As much as people talk about it, have you noticed that no one really knows what they actually mean? Or they borrow someone else’s definition of success and pin it on their own career goals and personal action plans.

I often hear my clients talking about the success they want to achieve. Success they desire in a number of areas - their business, career, health, relationships, etc. Yet, no matter the goal or the person sharing the goal, I have noticed a trend.

Many high-achievers and motivated people unconsciously (or sometimes even consciously) adopt bad definitions of success. And use that definition to beat themselves up if they don’t achieve success. Many of the definitions of success I hear from clients, colleagues or friends (and sometimes even myself) are one of the following:

* unrealistic
* impossible to complete
* wholly dependent on the actions of others
* vague and difficult to measure
* based on someone else’s standards or measurements of success

I would like to propose two alternative definitions of success. Two standards that are not only realistic, but achievable. And inspiring, so that you actually feel motivated to take action. This is certainly not an exhaustive list. Just a start…here we go:

Continue Reading…

You often register the moment of change immediately; however, many of us do little about it as swiftly. Recently, I encountered Ricardo on a recent research trip to the East Coast. A previously successful lawyer, he was now pursuing a Ph.D. in philosophy and seemed quite happy about his change in both career and life.

His story fascinated me, and I wanted to know two things from him: first, what led him to give up this life path for another and, second, how long did it take him to do it. In reply, Ricardo said that a challenging trial involving a close friend was the straw which broke the camel’s back, though he had been feeling dissatisfied for some time. “In that moment, I saw the ugliness of the situation and saw my unhappiness before me. I saw myself losing the force of life. It was enough of a jolt for me to do something about it.”

I thought about what he had to say and wondered how much more life we could live if we could actually muster up the courage to actually trust ourselves at that first moment of dissatisfaction. Perhaps then we’d spend more time playing the game of life than simply sitting on the sidelines, hesitating about getting involved.