“Finding Meaning: How to Use (And Not Use) Self-Assessment”

It feels like more than ever humans are working to understand themselves.  It’s no surprise to learn that Generation Y, aka “Millennials,” is dubbed the purpose generation and defined by finding meaning.

With “meaning finding” on the rise, there are countless tools to help us figure out who we are. A quick Google search of “personality inventories” yields over 200 million results. Some of these tools hold more credibility than others, like the Meyers-Briggs or Enneagram, for example. Others, however, may leave much to be desired in the way of insight (Like what type of millennial are you?). 

While finding meaning through understanding yourself can be super valuable, it is important to understand that no quiz is always right, and everything has its limits.  With that in mind, here’s how to use and not use self-assessments. 

• Answer from the person you are, not who you wish you were.  It’ll do no good to learn about who your ideal person is – you know who that human is already and these tools can help you understand your own limits or barriers that keep you from being dream you!

• Do realize they are SELF-assessments. These tools should be used for you to build insight into yourself. Don’t try to diagnose or categorize the people around you.  

• Relationships are valuable. Taking a quiz with a partner like The 5 Love Languages can aid in developing understanding around compatibility and potential challenges or even what you or your partner may need to help forgive/apologize. Employers are increasingly using assessments, as well, to aid in relationship building and productivity within the workplace environment.

• The result is not the final step. At the end of the day, just knowing what house you’d be sorted into at Hogwarts doesn’t mean much. What’s important in any self-assessment is developing insight and awareness that can influence your thinking and/or behaviors.  What you do with the information is key.

If self-assessments don’t lead you to the answer you’re looking for, you can always seek professional support!