On our deathbeds, most of us would like to look back on our lives and feel like we have fulfilled most or all of our goals and dreams. Those goals and dreams vary greatly from one individual to another; however, most people agree that purposeful work and positive relationships are the most important components of a meaningful life.
To determine which personality types feel they are achieving their life goals, we asked our readers to agree or disagree with the statement “When you look back on your life, you are mostly satisfied.”
The more sociable Extraverts were more likely to feel satisfied with their lives, with 76% agreeing, while only 56% of Introverts agreed. Even more important to life satisfaction, however, was Identity. Assertive personality types were 27% more likely to feel satisfied than Turbulent types (with 82% and 55% agreeing, respectively). Let’s examine the results in greater detail, starting with the Role groups.
Roles
Sentinels (73% agreeing)
Sentinels are a very satisfied group, largely due to the combination of their Observant and Judging traits. Observant personality types are typically not interested in ruminating on their past or speculating about the future. The present moment is their priority, and Sentinels are unlikely to dwell on the “woulda, coulda, shouldas.” As long as they have checked off most of the tasks that they want to achieve in their lives, and they are continuing to do things that fulfill them, Sentinels are likely to be very satisfied.
This is especially true for Extraverted and Feeling types, making Consuls (ESFJ) (82%) the personality type most likely to agree that they feel satisfied with their lives. Relationships are priority number one for Consuls, so as long as the relation-ship is sailing smoothly, they are likely to feel pretty content.
The least satisfied Sentinels were Logisticians (ISTJ) (61% agreeing), and this is likely due to their tendency to dwell, ruminate, and flat-out overthink things. Their Thinking trait can cause them to over-analyze various issues, and the more these personalities analyze and dwell on things, the more problems they are likely to find. Logisticians also tend to be perfectionists, and they can become frustrated and overwhelmed if they believe they have not met their own (often very high) expectations.
Diplomats and Explorers (66% and 65%)
The responses from Diplomats and Explorers were similar, data-wise. The Extraverted and Feeling traits are both associated with higher satisfaction in life, and these traits are found in both Role groups.
Diplomat personality types often utilize their exceptional empathy to pursue work and/or volunteer opportunities that align with their values and ideals. Specifically, Protagonists (ENFJ) (80% agreeing) tend to choose occupations where they can have a positive impact on others and truly make a difference. Combining their Extraverted mind with their Intuitive and Feeling traits, they tend to excel at building meaningful relationships. Protagonists who are able to participate in meaningful ventures and have successful relationships are likely to experience tremendous amounts of satisfaction.
Virtuosos (ISTP) (54% agreeing) appeared to be much less satisfied with their lives than their fellow Explorers, the Entrepreneurs (ESTP) (76%), which emphasizes the extreme differences between Introverted and Extraverted personality types on the subject of life satisfaction. Virtuosos are incredibly private individuals; they can be difficult to get to know, which makes them unlikely to reach out to others when they’re feeling dissatisfied with their lives. While commitment and emotional connection may be difficult for Virtuosos, those who lack close, meaningful relationships may struggle with feeling lonely or unsupported, leading to lower satisfaction with their lives.
Analysts (59%)
The prize for greatest variance between personality types within a specific Role goes to the Analysts. While these four types share a tremendous amount of similarities, the level of satisfaction that they have with their lives is not one of them. Analysts were also the least likely to express feeling mostly satisfied with their lives, which is largely due to their Intuitive and Thinking traits; this combination can cause them to over-analyze their lives.
Commanders (ENTJ) (74%) reported the greatest amount of life satisfaction of the Analysts. Their primary concern is getting things done as efficiently as possible, often regardless of the consequences. According to Steve Jobs (who was almost certainly a Commander), “Your work is going to fill a large part of your life, and the only way to be truly satisfied is to do what you believe is great work. And the only way to do great work is to love what you do.” Commander personalities will ruthlessly pursue that “great work,” and ultimately, they tend to end up quite satisfied with what they have accomplished.
Significantly less likely to feel as satisfied as their fellow Analysts, only 45% of Logicians (INTP) agreed that they felt mostly satisfied with their lives. Like the Commanders, their Intuitive and Thinking traits result in a substantial amount of time (and energy) spent generating ideas and theories. Logicians are perhaps the most analytical of the Analyst personality types, delving into the world of complex and abstract thought with seemingly no effort. Their Introverted and Prospecting traits, however, combine to create a paradox of doubt that can prevent Logicians from achieving a feeling of satisfaction. Their lack of commitment (and confidence) can also prevent them from following through with projects and even relationships, which can lead to greater levels of dissatisfaction.
Strategies
People Mastery (85% agreeing)
As both Extraverted and Assertive types, People Masters have an abundance of confidence. Extraverts scored 20 points higher than Introverts on life satisfaction (76% vs. 56%), and Assertive personality types scored 27 points higher than Turbulent types (82% vs. 55%). Both confident and socially adept, People Masters do not need anyone’s permission to feel good about themselves, which makes it much easier to feel tremendously satisfied with what they have achieved in their lives.
For example, Assertive Protagonists (ENFJ-A) (90% agreeing), being an incredibly idealistic type, are more likely to find an occupation (or volunteer opportunity) that aligns with their values, which is likely a key factor in their high levels of satisfaction. Another crucial component to their satisfaction is related to their high levels of empathy, which they utilize to create harmony and cooperation both in their personal and professional lives, resulting in more fulfilling relationships.
Assertive Debaters (ENTP-A) (76%) were the least satisfied People Masters, which may be a direct result of their namesake characteristic – debating. While Debaters are generally sociable, these personalities have a tendency to engage in arguments with friends, family members, and co-workers, often purely for fun. This trait, however, becomes less appealing when they challenge others who may not share their enthusiasm for a good argument. This tendency can lead to some strained relationships, which can certainly lead to higher levels of dissatisfaction.
Confident Individualism (76%)
Confident Individualists are just that – confident, independent, and not at all concerned with what other people think of them. Not ones to dwell on their mistakes (or worry too much about the future), these individuals don’t spend much time regretting their choices or thinking about what could have been. In fact, most Assertive individuals don’t worry or stress about much at all, which increases their confidence in a big way.
Assertive Advocates (INFJ-A) (82%), like Assertive Protagonists, are also very idealistic and empathic. Putting their ideals into action means that many Advocates will pursue work or extracurricular activities that align with their values, making them more satisfied with their life choices. Unlike Protagonists, however, Advocates are more likely to become overwhelmed and feel the desire to withdraw from exceptionally stimulating situations. These personalities may not seek out the social support that their Extraverted counterparts do, which may result in feeling less connected and, therefore, less satisfied with life.
Social Engagement (65%)
Social Engagers are perfectionists; however, they often lack the confidence to feel truly satisfied with the results of their hard work. These personality types are especially sensitive to the feedback that they receive from others, as their social status is nearly always at the top of their mind. Turbulent Protagonists (ENFJ-T) (73%) and Consuls (ESFJ-T) (72%) tend to be susceptible to being overly concerned with how others view them, which prevents them from being as satisfied with their lives as their Assertive counterparts.
Constant Improvement (47%)
As the name implies, Constant Improvers are always looking for ways to improve, and hopefully perfect, not only their work but their personal lives as well. Their Turbulent identity, however, makes Constant Improvement personality types less confident and more prone to questioning themselves. This may result in restlessness and a lack of satisfaction, because they never feel that the quality of their work is good enough. This is especially true for Turbulent Logicians (INTP-T) (33%) and Virtuosos (ISTP-T) (35%) who, as a result of their Thinking and Prospecting traits, are more likely to second-guess themselves and their life choices.
Conclusions
Although Extraverted and Assertive types reported the highest satisfaction with their lives, this does not mean that other personality types cannot achieve a fulfilling or rewarding life. Confidence is key to finding fulfillment, especially when it is used to follow a desired career path, ask out that special someone, or engage in a particularly meaningful creative pursuit.
Studies have been done that ask people on their deathbed what their biggest regrets are, and it often boils down to “not following my heart.” Keeping in touch with friends and family, spending more time with your spouse and children, pursuing the degree or career that you want rather than the one everyone expects you to get – these are the things that will bring true happiness and satisfaction.
Are you mostly satisfied with your life? When you think about what you might regret at the end of your life, how does it make you feel? Leave us a comment and let us know!