P and J-ness

I've been thinking a lot lately on the difference between P's and J's (this is Myers-Brigg talk, here). I am such a P. The P-est (note the similarity of that to the word "pest")(I also like using parenthesis a lot).

The internet defines a P as:

Perceivers like to go with the flow. If they have a "to do" list, it will likely be just a scrap of paper. They are always looking for new information. They put off making decisions because there might just be that last little bit of information that would help them make a better decision. Perceivers follow an "event" schedule. They are waiting for everything to come together, and then at the right moment, they are energized to make their move. Unfortunately, sometimes things never come together and they lack the energy to achieve what was expected of them.

Perceivers tend to be much messier, and woe betide you if you try to straighten up their mess. Even if it looks chaotic, they know exactly where everything is.

and a J as:

Judgers are very organized. They like to "plan their work and work their plan." A Judger likely has a day planner or if she doesn't have one, she carries one around in her head. Work is carried out in an orderly fashion. Even holidays need to follow a plan.

There is a place for everything and everything should be in its place. Judgers like things to be in order. The Judging housekeeper likes everything put away. Don't just drop your coat at the door; pick it up and put it in the closet.

This is all so enlightening for me. Emily is a total J - she makes lists, does her homework before she hangs out with people, and generally needs to know what we're doing where and what time we'll be back. I guess I never realized that people functioned out of that mentality. Most of my friends in high school were so much like me that I think I had a hard time coming here and appreciating crazy-organized people.

At the extreme, the Judging person sees the Perceiver as being disorganized, having no plan and generally not a very worthwhile person. The Perceiving person sees the Judger as too rigid, wasting time making up a lot of silly rules, and generally being a killjoy. Judgers like to work before they play. Perceivers like to make work become play.

I am so freaking intrigued by all of this! We're all so different! I mean, people have always said that, and you know it, but this is something so fundamentally divergent. Realizing this difference has completely changed the way I approach J's because now I know that someone like Emily isn't scheduling me out of her life, but scheduling time for me to be in her life. Man. Who knew.