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Warrior Wednesday - Jung and Martial Arts

[caption id="attachment_11040" align="alignright" width="300"]sword Image created using Bitmoji[/caption]

I know. This post is so very late. But late is better than never, right?

All right. So, I found this post on a sensei who uses the Myers-Briggs types to figure out how best to train their students. The test was inspired by Carl Jung's research, so that's pretty interesting.

It could be dangerous to guess someone's type and assume things about them because of it though.

I wonder how many are drawn to specific types of martial arts based on their types. I'm more drawn to Iaido and Karate because a lot of those are individual study. I'm an INTP aka Logician and Iaido is a mix of theory and has a lot of solitary practice. It also has a large focus on minute details. I know one of my dojo mates is an INTJ. I'm now wondering how many of us have similar personality traits.

Maybe there are more ESF types in arts like BJJ where there is more focus on winning a fight? In proving one's worth?

Why did I say it could be dangerous to guess based on their Myers-Briggs? Well, humans are extraordinarily complex. I may be very analytical as an INTP, but I also care very deeply for other humans. I don't put the same level of care into all my relationships, but that's actually a healthy and reasonable thing to do.

There's also the DiSC personality test where I show as primarily conscientious, but under stress I become dominant. What that also says about me is that I'm often happier in a team or underling role, but can lead when needed.

What else? Well, I've taken other tests that pinpoint me as 67% introvert and 33% extrovert. My friends reading this up until now were probably unconvinced that I'm an introvert because they've seen me be pretty extroverted. The life of the party even at times. But it's not my default setting ;)

And I do make use of all of this in martial arts. I need to understand the why while learning kata because it helps me do the kata correctly. And correctness is important to me even if my skill isn't at a level where I can achieve it. I help organize things and happily let others do the speaking, but I'm okay running the odd class when no one of higher rank can make it. I actually love our free practice nights the most because I can work on what I feel will help me improve at a pace that works for me.

I also like trying new things if only to experience something I haven't before.

But I hate when people try to condescend me or infantilize me. I also don't like being with a drill sergeant.

I can't tell you if I'm type A or B at this point. I'm very driven, but I don't feel the need to hassle others to be as driven as me because I know we all do things on our own time. Everyone's path is different. I also know that success isn't governed by following the same path up the mountain. Some seem amazing in the short-term, but many things take a level of persistence that few possess, so others may seem like they are fantastic until they burn out.

I'm also a fiery woman with French, Swedish, and Scottish heritage who has had a variety of other experiences that influence my personality in ways that go deeper than any test can likely capture. Perhaps this is where I get my courage from.

But I'm also a Gryfferin. That's a mix of the Gryffindor and Slytherin Harry Potter houses.

I also have this need deep within to help make the world a better place. At one time, I thought social work was the way to do that, but it turns out that there are many people who are far better at social work than I am. What I realized is that I can do good things with my writing if I'm responsible with it.

What is your Myers-Briggs type? If you practice, what kind of martial art do you prefer the most? If you don't practice, why not? Are you just a fan of the movies and/or UFC? Are you afraid? Are you too busy?

R~

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