{"id":669,"date":"2014-08-26T18:15:08","date_gmt":"2014-08-26T18:15:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.doingwhatmatters.com\/?p=669"},"modified":"2015-08-31T20:53:43","modified_gmt":"2015-08-31T20:53:43","slug":"know-thyself-personality-tests-useful","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/doingwhatmatters.com\/know-thyself-personality-tests-useful\/","title":{"rendered":"Know Thyself: Are Personality Tests Useful?"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"The<\/a><\/p>\n

If thou knowest thyself, <\/em>
\nit will follow thou wilt not puff thyself up like the frog
\nthat strove to make himself as large as the ox. <\/em>
\nMiguel de Cervantes<\/p>\n

Online personality tests seem to multiply like rabbits.\u00a0Look around social media, and you can\u00a0find short quizzes to determine which Lord of the Rings<\/em>\/Star Wars<\/em>\/Mad Men<\/em> character you are, what part of the world would best suit you, and what car you should be driving. Few of these quizzes\u00a0have any basis in science or reality, but the fact that they proliferate confirms what we already know\u00a0\u2014 that people naturally\u00a0want to know\u00a0what makes them tick.<\/p>\n

Self knowledge is a key to vocational discernment<\/h4>\n

\"Courage<\/a>\"\"
\nKnowing yourself\u00a0\u2014 your talents, gifts, motivations, strengths, weaknesses, and non-negotiable values, among other things \u2014 is helpful for understanding\u00a0where and how you need to grow. It’s also an important first step in\u00a0discerning your vocation\u00a0or calling in life. Understanding your personality can even help you choose curriculum or decide on\u00a0a microbusiness.<\/p>\n

In\u00a0Courage and Calling<\/a>\"\",
\n<\/em>Gordon T. Smith defines three expressions of vocation:<\/p>\n