Johari Results
Mar. 18th, 2006 09:44 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
stdesjardinsA few weeks ago, I invited people to pick adjectives on my Johari page. I got seven results, which is fewer than I like, but enough to discuss the results.
The most common choices (5 out of 7) were "independent" and "intelligent". I agree with both of these. I accept help from people, but for the most part I try to manage by myself.
Four people called me "observant", which is a surprise. I'd be more likely to call myself "unobservant"; I frequently miss the obvious, like when someone walking with me isn't there anymore. Occasionally I'll pick up on something other people miss, or come up with a remark out of the blue after looking inattentive, so I can see how people would give me undeserved credit for perceptiveness. On the whole, though, I think my record in terms of noticing stuff is pretty spotty.
Three people called me "witty". True.
Two people called me "adaptable", "brave", "caring", "confident", "introverted", "patient", and "trustworthy". "Adaptable" is one of my core characteristics, I think--not only have I had to learn to be, to come up with strategies for coping with disability, but it's also in my nature to make the best of my situation, whatever it happens to be. I shouldn't have been surprised to be called "patient", but the private moments when I blow my stack take on undue importance in my self-image. (I really don't get frustrated that often. It's because it's atypical that I remember it so strongly.)
"Brave" seems silly. I can't think of any instance where I've shown particular courage. I've heard people suggest it takes bravery to face a difficult life without whining, but that actually takes a characteristic more accurately described as dislikes whining. (And it's not like my life is all that hard. I've been lucky in a lot of ways.)
I'm confident in many of my abilities, and in my general worth. I lack confidence in many ways. This is one that I don't really disagree with, but I think it should have a footnote (reading "sometimes").
"Introverted". True.
"Caring". I'm tempted to argue with this, because I don't feel like I understand it. I have a hard time offering sympathy to people, because it feels so meaningless when I do. On the other hand, I do like to find small acts of kindness I can do for people, so it's certainly fair to describe me as "caring". It just, somehow, doesn't feel that way. (It's too bad "considerate" wasn't a choice. I feel that describes me better. On the other hand, some people see "considerate" as an impersonal sort of word, which is not how I see it--it can be impersonal, when you make sure not to block the subway door or something, but mostly when you consider other people, it's because you want to be nice to them. It's a more flattering word than "kind" or "caring", in my estimation.)
"Trustworthy". Pretty much. Not necessarily reliable, but trustworthy.
The most common choices (5 out of 7) were "independent" and "intelligent". I agree with both of these. I accept help from people, but for the most part I try to manage by myself.
Four people called me "observant", which is a surprise. I'd be more likely to call myself "unobservant"; I frequently miss the obvious, like when someone walking with me isn't there anymore. Occasionally I'll pick up on something other people miss, or come up with a remark out of the blue after looking inattentive, so I can see how people would give me undeserved credit for perceptiveness. On the whole, though, I think my record in terms of noticing stuff is pretty spotty.
Three people called me "witty". True.
Two people called me "adaptable", "brave", "caring", "confident", "introverted", "patient", and "trustworthy". "Adaptable" is one of my core characteristics, I think--not only have I had to learn to be, to come up with strategies for coping with disability, but it's also in my nature to make the best of my situation, whatever it happens to be. I shouldn't have been surprised to be called "patient", but the private moments when I blow my stack take on undue importance in my self-image. (I really don't get frustrated that often. It's because it's atypical that I remember it so strongly.)
"Brave" seems silly. I can't think of any instance where I've shown particular courage. I've heard people suggest it takes bravery to face a difficult life without whining, but that actually takes a characteristic more accurately described as dislikes whining. (And it's not like my life is all that hard. I've been lucky in a lot of ways.)
I'm confident in many of my abilities, and in my general worth. I lack confidence in many ways. This is one that I don't really disagree with, but I think it should have a footnote (reading "sometimes").
"Introverted". True.
"Caring". I'm tempted to argue with this, because I don't feel like I understand it. I have a hard time offering sympathy to people, because it feels so meaningless when I do. On the other hand, I do like to find small acts of kindness I can do for people, so it's certainly fair to describe me as "caring". It just, somehow, doesn't feel that way. (It's too bad "considerate" wasn't a choice. I feel that describes me better. On the other hand, some people see "considerate" as an impersonal sort of word, which is not how I see it--it can be impersonal, when you make sure not to block the subway door or something, but mostly when you consider other people, it's because you want to be nice to them. It's a more flattering word than "kind" or "caring", in my estimation.)
"Trustworthy". Pretty much. Not necessarily reliable, but trustworthy.
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no subject
Date: 2006-03-20 07:05 am (UTC)You couldn't hear me, so I thought I'd let you know I burst out laughing at reading this.
I mean, I agree with your assessment, it's just that I really like the way you put it. I'm tempted to quote; if so, do you want named credit, and if so, full name or LJ?
Re "Caring" -- I look at "Caring" as an emotional thing (sympathetic/empathetic), contrasted with that more active Johari word, "Giving" which to me can be about acts of service as well as money. "Considerate" has a somewhat more proactive feel to me than "caring", as well.
no subject
Date: 2006-03-22 02:44 am (UTC)"Giving", to me, implies a level of generosity that I just don't have. I tend to be a little selfish--my gifts tend to be small, but thoughtful. (And I'm a bit stingy with my time as well.) It's interesting the extent to which we can quibble over very similar words.