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> I read that technical writing is a good
> career fit for those of writers with the ISTJ personality type (this is
Myer's
> Briggs by the way). I found that to be interesting since my type is
> somewhere
> between INFP and ENFP -- the exact opposite of ISTJ. Any thoughts on the
> validity of the ISTJ-techwriting claim?
Ugh. I hate those tests. They are right up there with horoscopes. Fun,
interesting, but basically meaningless. There are a lot of personalities in
tech writing. Some jobs lend themselves better to others, that is for certain.
But attempting to objectify that is mostly a waste of time. I am sure there are
numerous ISTJs who are worthless lumps of crap when it comes to writing
documents.
The one personality type that consistently benefits writers is a "can-do"
attitude. Coupled with a solid work ethic, "can-do" people...well, can do just
about anything. They are also in extremely short supply.
Most people wait for approval rather than just do the job. As such, "observer"
mentalities (which is what ISTJs are) don't always work well. At some point
you have to stop observing and put all that genius into motion. Only when
people can put thoughts and plans into motion can they be of real value to an
organization.
This is why the "plan, plan, plan" people ultimately fail. It isn't because
their plans are bad or even that planning is a bad idea. Its that they cherish
the plan over the action. Plans do not get projects done. Action does. ONLY
action (work) can complete something. Blathering about your brilliant plan and
methods all day gets you nowhere. A plan can help guide the work and action,
but in and of itself no plan has ever by itself completed a project. (Unless of
course the project is...to plan.)
Oh, now if now if that doesn't cook your noodle, ask yourself would you still
have broken the vase had I not said anything.
Andrew Plato
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