Why You Need to Learn Your Personality Type
Understanding your personality is the key to unlocking self-awareness and taking control of your life.
The phrase "know thyself" originated in ancient Greece and was famously inscribed at the Temple of Apollo in the sacred precinct of Delphi, a site once considered the center of the world. It was later popularized by the philosopher Socrates, a foundational figure in Western philosophy, who made it a cornerstone of his teachings.
Socrates emphasized self-knowledge as fundamental to attaining wisdom and for leading a meaningful life, urging individuals to critically examine their beliefs and values. Today, this timeless principle remains profoundly relevant, serving as a powerful guide to understanding and cultivating self-awareness of one’s own personality.
Despite its profound influence on philosophers and psychologists throughout history—from Plato and the Stoics to Kant, Nietzsche, and Carl Jung—it is surprising how little modern institutions prioritize introspection and self-analysis as essential tools for understanding oneself and one’s personality. Consequently, it is no wonder that many people feel a sense of confusion or disconnection regarding their own identity and place in society.
Personality plays a crucial role in every facet of life influencing your behavior, decision-making, responses to challenges, relationships, social interactions, and even your susceptibility to stress. Gaining a clear understanding of your personality is crucial for developing self-awareness—enabling you to identify your tendencies, strengths, and areas you need to work on. With this insight, you can navigate life with more clarity and ultimately create the life you aspire to live.
Unfortunately, many people go through life with only a vague understanding of their personality. Lacking this insight often results in limited self-awareness, misaligned goals, ineffective decision-making, poor career choices, strained relationships — the list goes on an on. Over time, these struggles can lead to frustration, poor personal growth and leave you with a feeling that your life is out of your control. Sound familiar?
Understanding your personality is therefore crucial to taking conscious control of you life.
The best way to start this journey of self awareness is to take the Big Five Personality Test —a widely recognized assessment grounded in decades of psychological research and a cornerstone of modern personality psychology.
What is the Big Five?
The Big Five evaluates personality through five broad dimensions: Openness (creativity and curiosity), Conscientiousness (organization and dependability), Extraversion (sociability and energy), Agreeableness (compassion and cooperation), and Neuroticism (emotional stability).
You can find a the free test here
Here is a more thorough breakdown:
Openness: This refers to an individual’s openness to new experiences, ideas, and creativity. People high in openness are imaginative, curious, and open-minded, while those low in this trait tend to be more conventional and resistant to change.
Conscientiousness: This describes a person's level of organization, responsibility, and dependability. High conscientiousness is associated with being disciplined, efficient, and detail-oriented, whereas low conscientiousness may indicate impulsivity and disorganization.
Extraversion: This reflects the extent to which a person is outgoing, energetic, and sociable. Extraverts thrive in social settings and enjoy interaction, while introverts (low extraversion) are more reserved and prefer solitude.
Agreeableness: This trait measures a person's tendency to be compassionate, cooperative, and trusting. Highly agreeable people are empathetic and kind, while those low in agreeableness may be more competitive, skeptical, or confrontational.
Neuroticism: This refers to emotional stability and the tendency to experience negative emotions. High neuroticism is linked to anxiety, mood swings, and stress, whereas low neuroticism indicates emotional resilience and calmness.
By understanding the traits that shape your personality, you can gain valuable insights to help guide your decisions, align your goals with your natural tendencies, and build a better relationship with yourself and the people around you. That doesn’t sound too bad does it?