On a two-hour train ride from home to the company, I tried an MBTI test. Result: xNFP – hard to fit into a neat box but answered many questions about myself.
- x (Introvert and Extrovert): sometimes needing alone time to recharge, sometimes craving people to talk to.
- N (Intuition): loves asking "big picture" questions, rarely enjoys scrutinizing details.
- F (Feeling): decisions mostly driven by emotion. Motivated when interested, difficult when not.
- P (Perceiving): hates fixed schedules, prefers flexibility as long as results are achieved.
"Reading this feel like a 21st century nightmare? I find myself exhausting too!"
Why Teaching Became My "Home"
- Teaching allows intuition to work: observing the class, adjusting activities on the spot.
- Emotion becomes an advantage: I connect with students through authenticity.
- Flexible schedule: class doesn't need to be formulaic – as long as students progress.
A Slice of Everyday Life
I lean introvert: small talk at parties drains me, but teaching a well-prepared class actually adds energy. Strong intuition helps me see the future students are heading toward and inspire them to find their path. Thanks to Feeling, I remember clearly the "uncomfortable" feeling of beginners, from learning English to practicing accordion. This helps me guess where students are stuck and adjust immediately.
The "P" (flexible) part is an asset in teaching: lesson plan prepared meticulously but when the class needs something different, I can pivot 180° in seconds. That's also why I hate rigid schedules but can manage multi-level classes—flexible as long as it serves student goals.
What About You?
MBTI isn't a magic formula, but note:
- Every personality has strengths if placed correctly.
- Teaching (or any profession) requires understanding yourself to choose suitable approaches.
After taking the MBTI test, I understood that "professional passion" answers why I still teach on weekends despite working full-time: because this is where xNFP personality is used correctly.