Choose the letter for each question you answer "Yes" to learn your preferred personality according to the Myers-Briggs Type Inventory.

1.   E   =   Working with others energize me or tire me.                                   
     I     =   I like quiet time with nothing to do, or do I try to fill time with action.

2.  S    =   I learn what is going on mainly from my senses (sight, sound, touch, taste, smell)
     N   =   I use my intuition (my sixth sense) to decide what is going on around me.

3.   F   =    I form conclusions and make decisions by thinking things through logically.
      T   =     I allow my good or bad feelings to influence my decisions.

4.    J   =    I like my life to be structured with deadlines and rules.
       P    =   I like a life where things may change quickly and I have to be flexible.

The following information describes some of the characteristics of each MBTI personality. None of the types represent good or bad personalities. They simply show how we are different from each other.
 
Personality Preference
Common Qualities of Personality Types

(I) Introverted Type
Inner directed; thinks before acting; wants private time to analyze information

(E) Extroverted Type
Outer directed; acts before thinking; social; talks things out

(S) Sensing Type
Focuses on the now, sees what is; wants the practical

(N) Intuitive Type
Focuses on the future, sees what might be; wants to talk about possibilities

(T) Thinking Type
Values objective analysis; is logical; has a long-term view; wants facts and figures

(F) Feeling Type
Values personal relationships; interested in what effect ideas will have on people; subjective, personal, immediate view

(J) Judging Type
Makes decisions about what to do and when; likes to know where she stands

(P) Perceiving Type
Keeps options open; spontaneous, flexible; discovers life as he goes along
 
Action: Write the four letters of your possible Type, for example, ISTJ. Review the chart for the meaning of the letters in your Type. Pick out characteristics you believe describe you.

Clichés about staying motivated abound. But the simple fact is that learning how to push through difficulties to attain a goal is critical to anyone who wants to succeed. The following tips for staying motivated come from author and personal brand manager Chris Dessi.*

1. Take a break. You can only perform at your peak level if you are rested. One way to know it’s time to give yourself a break is if you feel you cannot take time off. That’s when you need a break the most.
2. Be tight lipped. Sure, set goals. But don’t share them with your network—positive feedback can backfire and actually inhibit your intentions. Share the good news after you have accomplished the goal.
3. Define your legacy early. We all have a finite amount of time. Don’t allow yourself to be caught up in mindless activities. Everything you do, even when you are young, contributes to who you are and what you become. Make whatever you do count.
4. Celebrate wins. No matter how inconsequential the positive moment, take time to build good habits and reward yourself for a job well done.
5. Cut your to-do list in half. A list can be overwhelming if it is not doable. Completing a realistic set of tasks, even if more modest than originally planned, will be far more rewarding.
6. Treat yourself kindly. Don’t compare yourself to those who have accomplished more than you. Know there will always be people ahead of you and concentrate on your own goals.
7. Focus. Distractions are everywhere, but you don’t have to pay attention to them. Turn off the phone, disengage from social media, and get to work.
8. Admit failures. Work through your feelings about defeats instead of keeping them inside and perhaps taking them out on the wrong person. By sharing your vulnerability, you will build deeper connections with peers. You will also find it easier to move on to the next more constructive item on your to-do list.
   
   

* Dessi, C. (2015, December 17). 10 simple ways to motivate yourself every day. Retrieved from http://www.inc.com.

By 2020, the global economy and the growth of smart machines and systems will require different skills for work than today’s jobs. Many of today’s jobs will have been automated. Here’s a look at skills needed in 2020 as determined by Top 10 Online Colleges, a virtual education site.

Sense Making. You’ll be in high demand if you can examine what you see, read, or hear and then determine its deeper meaning.  For example:

A builder may envision a small town where a large toxic dump now sits. She will communicate with engineers and others engaged in remediation around the world and then use the newest technology to clean the earth. Later, she will partner with other companies to build homes and schools.

Social Intelligence. Being able to sense others’ reactions to a situation or communication will help you rise to the top in your field. With this ability, you can encourage the response you want from others.  For example:

An IT specialist talking by phone with a non-technical customer about loading software may sense the customer’s uncertainty. With the skill to show empathy, ask tactful questions, and communicate suggestions in a simple manner, the specialist can earn the customer’s loyalty that may lead to bigger sales for the company.

Computational Thinking. As vast amounts of data become available, there will be a great need for people who have the ability to reason and form ideas.  For example:
 
A pediatric nurse who sees the same children often may wonder why they are sick so frequently. She may search the patient database for clues about the children’s illnesses, and she and the doctor may identify a course of nutrition, vitamins, and other wellness measures.

Cognitive load management. Compare your brain to a computer hard drive that contains so much information that you have to decide what is worth saving. When you are required to deal with vast amounts of information, you must be able to separate the critical from the non-critical information so you can maximize your brain function. For example:

A project manager who is leading a large insurance company‘s move from a small building in the suburbs to a skyscraper in a city 40 miles away deals with an enormous amount of information clutter. She must be able to filter out the non-important information so her brain can make proper decisions.

Transdisciplinary. While being an expert in your field will be essential in 2020, knowledge to understand ideas that cross many disciplines will be extremely important. For example:

A bridge engineer must be an expert in the technical aspects of the work. However, he must be knowledgeable enough about other fields to work with social scientists and environmentalists who are concerned about the effects of the bridge on the citizens. He must be able to communicate in simple language that will relieve the anxiety of the other parties.

WHAT DO YOU THINK?
Think about specific examples when you would use these five skills in a career you like.
Adapted from an article by Larry Kim in Inc.