So let’s get right into it. Which are you? A judger or perceiver? It's an important question to ask yourself, because your personality type can have a big impact on your life. If you're a judger, you like things planned and orderly. You like to be in control, and you tend to be more critical of others. If you're a perceiver, on the other hand, you're more flexible and open-minded. You don't like to rush into things, and you tend to take things at face value. In this blog post, we'll discuss the power of perception and how it can help or hinder your relationships, career, and communications.
Do you sometimes look around your house and wonder whether your partner enjoys annoying you by leaving their shit all around the place? Is it deliberate? Do you sometimes sit in apprehension wondering if you sit still long enough? Ah, the joys of the judging and perceiving types of the Myers Briggs Type Indicator. Once you know which one you are, you'll then be able to know and understand yourself and others better. We're in for a great discussion.
Personality types and your life - The Judger
Let’s look at the impact these two different preferences can have on your views on life, your communication and understanding of each other—the “other” in this discussion being your partner or family.
(Just letting you know, I'm a perceiving type.)
Take a minute to ask yourself, which of the following descriptions seems more natural, effortless, and comfortable for you? So what does judging look like? People who prefer judging usually prefer a planned, orderly way of life. Here are some ways of identifying a judger:
They like to have things settled and organized, and feel more comfortable when decisions are made and life is under control as much as possible.
They like to make lists of things to do and enjoy ticking off tasks when they are completed.
They get their sense of control by taking charge of their environment and making choices early. Lack of a clear pathway will usually concern them. And they prefer to work steadily towards the conclusion, and finish early if possible, to avoid rushing just before the deadline.
They're more comfortable when things are settled rather than being up in the air or too loose. However, sometimes they focus so much on the goal that they miss new information.
Personality types and your life - The Perceiver
So if that's how judging types interact with the outside world, how does the perceiving type? People who prefer perceiving often do things very differently. They prefer a flexible and spontaneous way of life. For this reason, they're often seen as more open-minded and laid back. They like to understand and adapt to the world rather than organize it, and are more outwardly focused on exploring opportunities and possibilities rather than coming to conclusions. Deadlines, plans, and predictability tend to make the perceivers stressed, not relaxed. They like to keep plans to a minimum and approach work as play, or mix work and play.
A perceiver will tend to work in short bursts of energy rather than at a steady pace. Here are some ways you can identify a perceiver:
When studying or working on a project they'll probably wait until near the deadline to get things done as the idea of a strict plan that must be adhered to prevents them from working in their best space.
They get their sense of control by keeping their options open and making choices only when necessary.
They're tolerant of other people's differences and will adapt to fit into whatever the situation requires. However, sometimes they stay open to new information so long that they miss making decisions when they're needed.
Who are you, a Judger or a Perceiver?
Okay. So, which do you relate to the most? Now that you know the basics of perceivers and judgers, what can you do with this information? Well, if you're a judger, it might be helpful to try to understand your perception-minded friends and family a little better. And if you're a perceiver, it might be helpful to learn how to set some boundaries for yourself – after all, too much flexibility can lead to chaos.
While making your decision about who you identify with the most, remember, we are living in a judging world. Structure, organization and planning are expected in order to live in our society. These are necessary and important to daily life expectations such as jobs, schooling, business, and for our lives to run efficiently and effectively. Therefore, the perceiving type must make many adjustments to their preferred way of keeping their choices and decisions open and flexible.
You may be a perceiving type who's become so good at using your non-preferred side every day that you don't recognize that this is your true style. Have a think about this before deciding which is your most natural preference. Remember, we can all use both, but one is your most naturally preferred.
If you found this helpful and want to learn more about Judging and perceiving personality types, check out my book, Who is the Monster (or treasure) in my House?, give my podcast a listen, or jump straight in and get in touch with me for a coaching session!
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