"What's your MBTI?"

How often have I heard that statement? Sure, the Myers-Briggs personality test helps one gain information on their personality, alight a career path for some and it may help in the long run, but oftentimes I see it as more of a label. Yes, my type may be ideal for a sociologist but is that what I want to do with my life? Not exactly, and I will not be governed by something that I know I am not.

A friend once told me when I asked him his MBTI, "I am what I am, those things are stupid," and I was taken aback at him telling me that he didn't care about a personality test. And naturally, after our little conversation, my wheels began to turn; those who continue to talk and ask and govern themselves on Myers-Briggs lose their wiggle-room as an individual. They become boxed in this set of characteristics: I am an Extrovert. I Sense things more than I have Intuition. I Feel more than I Think. I Judge more than I Perceive. Some take the more dominant characteristics they have and view it as gospel. That's not what its function is supposed to be at all. Myers-Briggs was designed to inform someone of their characteristics and tendencies to give them some reason behind why they think and act a certain way.

Sometimes It seems that the Myers-Briggs craze is so very similar to astrology, with people saying, "Oh, she is a Leo, that's why she is so self centered" or "don't mind him being late, he's an ENFP." To me, there isn't much of a difference — both sound absurd with someone's individuality being completely hinged on four small characteristics or on the stars (which is even more outlandish). Maybe it's that I don't like being boxed in, or maybe it's that labels have a very negative connotation.If someone asks me what my "type" is and I tell them, it instantly puts an idea in their head, and now perhaps that person doesn't want anything to do with me because I am an INFP or an ESTJ and that doesn't mesh with another person's personality type. Or maybe one reason why someone won't continue to pursue a friendship could be because there is a constant stereotype, often negative, of each type. INTJs are one that comes to mind; their stereotype is arrogant. However, I know a several INTJs and they are among the nicest and humblest people I know.

MBTI is useful, I won't deny that at all. It's really helpful in the workplace and provides liberating self-knowledge to one's thought process. But when Myers-Briggs is all someone is governed by, it then becomes a problem.