Summary of the book "do what you are"

“Do What You Are,” written by Paul D. Tieger and Barbara Barron-Tieger, offers a unique approach to career planning based on the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) personality assessment. The authors propose that aligning career choices with your personality type can lead to greater job satisfaction, productivity, and personal fulfillment. This book is not just a career guide; it’s a roadmap to self-discovery, providing insights into your strengths, potential challenges, and the types of environments where you’ll thrive. Let’s break down its key points, main sections, and the ways this book can truly enhance your life.

1. Understanding Personality Types

The book is grounded in the Myers-Briggs framework, a model of personality types inspired by Carl Jung’s theory of psychological types. According to MBTI, each person falls into one of 16 personality types, based on preferences across four dimensions:

• Extraversion (E) or Introversion (I):

• This determines where you gain your energy, whether from external interactions or internal reflection.

• Sensing (S) or Intuition (N):

• This dimension relates to how you process information, either through tangible facts or abstract possibilities.

• Thinking (T) or Feeling (F):

• This represents decision-making tendencies, with some prioritizing objective logic and others considering personal values.

• Judging (J) or Perceiving (P):

• This final category describes lifestyle preferences, either structured and planned (Judging) or flexible and spontaneous (Perceiving).

Each combination results in a unique personality type, such as INTJ, ESFP, ISTJ, etc., and the book provides an in-depth description of each.

2. Discovering the Best Careers for Your Personality Type

Once readers identify their personality type, “Do What You Are” takes them through specific career suggestions tailored to each type’s strengths, values, and natural preferences. For example:

• ISTJs (Introverted, Sensing, Thinking, Judging) are typically practical, responsible, and detail-oriented. The book suggests careers like accounting, engineering, and management for ISTJs because these fields require accuracy and reliability.
• ENFPs (Extraverted, Intuitive, Feeling, Perceiving) tend to be creative, energetic, and people-oriented, making them well-suited to careers in counseling, teaching, and the arts.

The authors explain how each personality type approaches work, learns new tasks, and interacts with colleagues. By focusing on career paths aligned with these natural tendencies, the book helps readers avoid jobs that could lead to burnout or dissatisfaction.

3. Recognizing Your Strengths and Challenges

The book emphasizes that each personality type comes with unique strengths and potential weaknesses. This section is especially helpful for self-reflection and growth. Examples include:

• Strengths of ESTJs:
• Strong organizational skills, leadership abilities, and a drive to achieve results. However, they may struggle with flexibility and adapting to unexpected changes.
• Challenges for INFPs:
• Highly empathetic and value-driven, INFPs may excel in creative roles but sometimes find it hard to follow rigid structures or navigate high-pressure environments.

Each type’s strengths and challenges are discussed with empathy and depth, helping readers understand not only where they might excel but also where they might need extra support or development.

4. Navigating the Workplace and Finding Job Satisfaction

The authors outline how different personality types interact with various workplace cultures, management styles, and job expectations. They suggest practical strategies to navigate office dynamics, including how to communicate effectively with managers and colleagues of different personality types. For example:

• INTJs might need a high degree of independence and prefer a manager who values strategic thinking.
• ESFJs often enjoy working in collaborative teams and respond well to supportive feedback.

This section helps readers not only understand their preferences but also adapt to diverse environments, enhancing their ability to thrive in the workplace.

5. Building Skills and Evolving in Your Career

“Do What You Are” doesn’t just stop at helping readers find the right career; it also encourages them to continue building skills that align with their type. The authors suggest that developing “secondary strengths” can help broaden career options. For instance:

• Introverts might benefit from practicing public speaking to feel more comfortable in social roles.
• Perceiving types can develop organizational skills to handle more structured tasks.

The book’s approach is flexible, recognizing that while personality type is central, everyone can grow and adapt over time.

6. Personality and Job Transitions

Job transitions are often challenging, and “Do What You Are” provides guidance for navigating them based on personality type. Whether it’s changing industries, seeking a promotion, or contemplating retirement, the book offers tailored advice.

For example, Judging types (J) are likely to prefer structured transitions and clear goals, whereas Perceiving types (P) may find it easier to explore flexible career paths or take risks in unfamiliar roles.

7. Quotes on Personality and Career Alignment

The authors use quotes throughout the book to inspire readers and underscore the importance of finding a career that aligns with personality. Some notable quotes include:

• “To know thyself is the beginning of wisdom.” – Socrates
• “Do what you are, not what the world wants you to be.”
• “The key to career happiness is finding work that fits your personality.”

These quotes emphasize the core message of the book: that understanding oneself is the foundation of a fulfilling career.

8. Real-Life Examples and Case Studies

The book is filled with case studies that illustrate how individuals of various types have successfully navigated career challenges by aligning with their natural preferences. For example, an ISTJ accountant found satisfaction in a highly structured environment, while an ENFP artist realized their potential in a creative and dynamic workspace.

Each story provides readers with relatable examples and reinforces the idea that personality-based career choices lead to greater satisfaction and success.

Conclusion:

“Do What You Are” is more than a career guide it’s a personal development tool that empowers readers to explore who they are and how they can align their work with their core personality. By following the insights in this book, you can:

• Make informed career choices based on your strengths.
• Understand your ideal work environment and management style.
• Improve job satisfaction by pursuing paths that resonate with your true self.
• Gain self-awareness that can help in both personal and professional growth.

Ultimately, the book’s message is clear: when you do what you are, work feels more meaningful, and you’re more likely to thrive. Embrace your personality type, and let it guide you to a fulfilling career.