Tools for Transformation: Self-Understanding

Now that we’ve explored the ROOTS of purpose, it’s time to move up the tree.

We’re at the TRUNK now — self-understanding.

This is the part where things get a little more technical… but also a lot more freeing. We’re going to look at practical tools that help you understand how you’re wired, what you’re good at, and what truly matters to you.

Stick with me. This is where things start to click :)

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Why Labels Can Be Liberating

Ever since I was little, I’ve loved to organize things. To dump all my toys out of their bins and put them back in a way that makes sense to me. 

This carried over into young adulthood. As a teen and young twenty-something, you often would have found me taking sweaters and tops off their hangers, laying them onto my bed to evaluate which items needed to be purged—then strategically placing the survivors in their appropriate spots on the rack. 

Classifying things makes life easier. Just look at those influencer videos of aesthetically labeled pantry items. Or think back to our ancestors who learned to identify which plants were edible and which would kill you. 

But oftentimes, when it comes to identifying ourselves with a label, we resist. 

Like when we’d get those standardized tests in school and there was usually a student who complained, “I’m not just caucasian. My maternal grandma is German and my grandpa is half-Irish, and I have some English and French on my dad’s side…”

Sure, the label doesn’t encapsulate every nuance but someone should have told her “Girl, you’re white—check the box and move on.”

I’ve found that this happens with purpose-related labels too. People are so quick to question the value of personality tests like Myers Briggs or the enneagram. And I don’t entirely blame them as there isn’t much scientific evidence to support their validity. However, just because something isn’t fully proven doesn’t mean it’s not helpful. 

Take for instance, color seasons—the palette of hues that supposedly look best on you according to your skin tone, eye color, and hair shade. It’s a concept that isn’t scientifically proven but for most people, it works.

Once I discovered my season (Soft Summer), it completely transformed my appearance. I went from looking sickly and pale in deep jewel tones, to alive and fresh in softer shades. 

And it’s been the same for me with knowing my personality type, my abilities, and my wiring. 

Some may call it “woo-woo” or “hippie” but these systems have changed my life.

I feel at home in my true self. And I have language for explaining my identity to people. 

After all, we know:

"the limits of our language are the limits of our world"

(Ludwig Wittgenstein).

Not only do these identity-based tools help us better understand our authentic selves, they also help us communicate who we are to others.

But there are hundreds of these self-help tests: the four temperaments, DISC, Gretchen Rubin’s the four tendencies, love languages, and more. 

 How do we determine which ones are worthwhile as it relates to our purpose? 

I think we can break it down into three categories: 

Ability, wiring, and soul. 

DISCOVER YOUR ABILITIES: APTITUDES 

Identifying your abilities is a crucial facet to understanding your purpose. Our aptitudes clarify what we can do well. 

In terms of ability, the most beneficial identifiers are our aptitudes since they do not change in significant ways after puberty (Betsy Wills, "Your Hidden Genius" review).

Interests can change. Skills can be learned. Even my beloved StrengthFinders’ results have shifted as I’ve grown. 

But because aptitudes are stable over time, they can be relied on as guardrails that keep us from careers and long-term pursuits that are out of alignment with our gifting

Some of the aptitudes included are Spatial Visualization, Idea Generation, Inductive Reasoning, and Sequential Reasoning. Admittedly, the aptitude categories are broad so it might require further exploration of them to determine how they relate to your purpose.

However, even on the surface, they provide some useful insight. If you have low Spatial Visualization, maybe don’t get that PhD in architecture or try to build a 3D printing side hustle. If you have high Idea Generation, pursue something creative like Marketing, Social Media Management, or Copywriter. 

So how do you discover your aptitudes?

Besides the $800 Johnson O’Connor test which tests 21 aptitudes and needs to be done in person, Betsy Wills’ “Your Hidden Genius” online test is the best way to discover your top aptitudes. 

Because it’s not in-person, it can’t test for things like finger dexterity or vision, but it does cover the 14 aptitudes most relevant to career choice. Unlike self-reporting tests, this one actually quizzes you by giving you problems to solve. It judges your accuracy and speed, thereby providing you with accurate results. In other words, it shows you what you’re actually good at—not just what you think you’re good at. 

After taking the test, you can see a list of careers that you would excel at given your abilities. (They even have an interest filter that allows you to further refine your results by the type of jobs that would also interest you). 

I’ve included a guide at the bottom but please note that ***the only way to get accurate results is to actually take the test.***

DISCOVER YOUR WIRING: PERSONALITY TYPE

The next most important facet of yourself to understand is your wiring, namely, your personality. 

We aren’t robots who are defined by our functions but instead, are creatures with quirks. 

Our emotionality, concern for others, and energy levels all play a huge role in determining the life paths we can take, and those that will feel fulfilling. 

One of the most scientifically validated tests is the Big Five personality test (i.e. OCEAN). It covers five key areas: Openness, Conscientiousness, Extraversion, Agreeableness, and Neuroticism. 

Learning about your unique personality recipe can help you understand your motivations, relationships, and tendencies. 

In addition to this, I have to mention the Myers Briggs personality test. It’s one of my biggest obsessions, if you didn’t know!

Myers Briggs is often oversimplified into the letter system: I for introvert, E for extravert, etc. 

But in reality, the system was originally designed by Carl Jung as a way to classify the different ways in which people perceive information about the world and make decisions—processes that he called “Cognitive Functions.” 

Identifying your own Cognitive Functions gives you insight into how you think, and how your thought process may differ from those around you. Highly recommend! 

Both the Big Five (i.e. OCEAN) and the Myers Briggs overviews can be found in the guide below :) 

YOUR SOUL: VALUES AND MOTIVATIONS

Like most kids, growing up, I thought what I was going to do with my life depended on the subjects I excelled in, my interests, and my passions. 

Passions in particular were emphasized in the early 2000s. Teachers and cheesy classroom posters encouraged us to reach for the stars, and if you just believe in yourself enough, then you can achieve your wildest dreams.

They ignored the fact that most people also need certain abilities and characteristics to truly succeed at their dreams. Actors need to be comfortable with performing. Authors have to hone their writing skills. Influencers need to be idea machines comfortable sharing their lives online. If you don’t have the right skill set or wiring for a pursuit, don’t count on it coming to fruition.

But the cheesy posters were onto something… we do need work and purpose that aligns with our souls.

As a believer, I know that there is more to me than flesh, intelligence, and personality—animals have all that too, but we as humans are uniquely called “made in the image of God” (Genesis). 

So what makes us like God? It’s that we have His breath, or Nephesh—translated “spirit.” 

We are spiritual beings, we have souls that God wove together as intricately as He did our bodies. 

So, I think that our souls deserve some attention :) 

The first tool that is immensely helpful in understanding yourself on a deep level is Suzy Welch’s Values Bridge. 

Don’t be bored by the term “values.” I know that we’ve heard it all before— “family values, Christian values, my values”— but listen, this update to the Values lexicon is a game-changer. 

Firstly, she defines values as the principles that you organize your life around.

Lots of people say that they value family and community service and hard work, but how many of us actually prioritize those things? 

Suzy goes straight for the jugular with this test. If you want to figure out what really matters to you on a soul level, then take the free test. I dare you :) 

Now, I can’t end this post without discussing the Enneagram, yes that little numbering system for personalities that you probably heard about a decade ago. 

It’s not trending anymore but it’s still so relevant—not necessarily as a personality test but as a roadmap of your spirit. As an ancient system, it has stood the test of time in identifying people’s soul-deep longings and fears, the forces that drive us on an emotional and spiritual level. 

I’ve included a brief description in the Guide below and here is a link to the enneagram test if you’re interested. 

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If I had to narrow down all of the research that I have done into understanding one’s self, it would be those three aspects: abilities, personality, and soul. 

The hard part is being honest with yourself enough to get accurate results. 

And the really tricky part is putting it all together to determine a clear life path, and your unique purpose. 

But that is what I am here for! :) 

Until next time,

Megan

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GUIDE

APTITUDE APPENDIX

1. Spatial Visualization

Your ability to mentally picture objects and manipulate them in space — for example, imagining how a flat shape looks as a 3D object. People high in spatial visualization excel with maps, diagrams, design, and any situation where “seeing” relationships between parts matters.

In real life: architects, engineers, and designers often score high here — but even if you don’t, hobbies like model building, woodworking, or ceramics can fulfill this talent.

2. Idea Generation

This measures how readily you generate thoughts, concepts, or solutions — the quantity of ideas that come to you. High scorers think broadly and creatively, while others might focus deeply on one idea at a time.

In real life: marketers, writers, teachers, and innovators usually thrive here. If ideas flood in naturally, group brainstorming might feel energizing.

3. Inductive Reasoning

This is your ability to take incomplete information and draw logical conclusions — essentially pattern recognition under pressure. Some people are quick to synthesize and decide with little data; others prefer deliberate, methodical exploration.

In real life: fast decision-makers, diagnosticians, or people with strong “gut instincts” may shine; others who need more data may excel in research, quality control, or planning roles.

4. Sequential Reasoning

This aptitude reflects how well you organize information in logical order — thinking step-by-step to solve problems systematically.

In real life: planners, programmers, logistic managers, and system designers often excel, enjoying structured tasks with clearly ordered steps.

5. Numerical Reasoning

Your comfort and ability with numbers — recognizing numerical patterns, performing calculations, and interpreting quantitative information.

In real life: analysts, accountants, engineers, and scientists use this aptitude constantly; even non-quantitative jobs benefit from strong numerical instincts.

6. Visual Comparison Speed

How quickly and accurately you can compare visual elements — spotting similarities or differences between shapes, numbers, or patterns.

In real life: jobs involving proofreading, quality control, air traffic control, or proofreading rely heavily on this quick visual discrimination.

7. Timeframe Orientation

This measures whether you focus on short-term, immediate details or long-term patterns and goals.

In real life: short-term focus helps with deadlines and rapid cycles; long-term orientation ties to strategy, planning, and forecasting roles.

8. Vocabulary

Assessing your intuitive grasp of language — understanding and using words effectively.

In real life: strong vocabulary support roles in writing, law, education, and communication-heavy leadership — roles where language is a primary tool.

9. Work Approach

How you naturally approach tasks — whether you prefer routine and structure or adaptability and flexibility.

In real life: structured work approach aligns with process-oriented environments; big-picture or flexible thinkers excel in dynamic, changing contexts.

THE BIG FIVE APPENDIX

1. Openness to Experience

Imagination, curiosity, love of new ideas

This trait is about how open you are to novelty, creativity, and abstract thinking.

• High Openness: imaginative, deep thinkers, enjoy art, new ideas, and meaningful conversations

• Low Openness: practical, grounded, prefer familiarity and concrete information

  
  

 2. Conscientiousness

Organization, responsibility, self-discipline

This reflects how well you plan, follow through, and control impulses.

• High Conscientiousness: reliable, organized, goal-oriented, good at meeting deadlines

• Low Conscientiousness: more spontaneous, flexible, sometimes procrastinate or struggle with structure

  
  

3. Extraversion

Social energy, assertiveness, enthusiasm

This is about where you get your energy — from people and stimulation, or from quieter environments.

• High Extraversion: outgoing, talkative, energized by social interaction

• Low Extraversion (Introversion): reserved, reflective, recharge alone

  
  

4. Agreeableness

Compassion, cooperation, trust

This measures how you tend to relate to others emotionally.

• High Agreeableness: kind, empathetic, supportive, value harmony

• Low Agreeableness: more direct, skeptical, competitive, comfortable with conflict

  
  

5. Neuroticism

Emotional sensitivity, stress response

This reflects how strongly you experience stress, worry, and emotional ups and downs.

• High Neuroticism: more emotionally reactive, prone to anxiety, overthinking, mood swings

• Low Neuroticism (High Emotional Stability): calm under pressure, steady mood, less easily rattled

MYERS-BRIGGS APPENDIX

*NOTE: Each Myers-Briggs type has a stack of four of these functions in a specific order (dominant, auxiliary, tertiary, and inferior), which explains why different types think and behave differently.

Perceiving Functions – How we take in information

1. Extraverted Sensing (Se) • Focuses on real-world, present-moment sensory data — sights, sounds, smells, movement. • People strong in Se notice detail and respond quickly to changing environments. • Example: noticing a friend’s tone shift instantly or reacting fast in a physical task.

2. Introverted Sensing (Si) • Uses stored sensory experiences (memories) to interpret the current situation. • People strong in Si compare new experiences to past ones for reliability and consistency. • Example: recalling exactly how something felt, looked, or was done before.

3. Extraverted Intuition (Ne) • Looks for possibilities, patterns, and connections in the external world. • People strong in Ne generate ideas and see multiple future paths or meanings. • Example: brainstorming many different solutions or interpretations of a situation.

4. Introverted Intuition (Ni) • Focuses on internal patterns and insights to predict likely outcomes. • People strong in Ni often have sudden “aha” realizations or a clear vision of how things fit together. • Example: sensing where a long-term trend is heading without obvious data.

Judging Functions – How we make decisions

5. Extraverted Thinking (Te) • Organizes the external world logically — systems, plans, efficiency, and measurable results. • People strong in Te like objective structure and objective criteria for decisions. • Example: creating a workflow that improves productivity.

6. Introverted Thinking (Ti) • Seeks internal logical consistency and deep analysis of concepts. • People strong in Ti refine ideas into clear, precise mental models. • Example: dissecting a complex idea until all parts make sense internally.

7. Extraverted Feeling (Fe) • Prioritizes group harmony, shared values, and emotional connection. • People strong in Fe are attentive to others’ feelings and social norms. • Example: adjusting how you speak so everyone feels included.

8. Introverted Feeling (Fi) • Focuses on personal values and what feels authentic internally. • People strong in Fi make choices based on what feels right for them personally. • Example: refusing to compromise on a personal moral value even if it’s unpopular.

WELCH-BRISTOL VALUES APPENDIX

1. Belovedness — How much you value a romantic, committed partnership as a central organizing force in your life.

2. Scope — How “big” and wide you want your life to be (adventure, learning, excitement).

3. Radius — How much you want to change the world on a larger, systemic scale.

4. Familycentrism — The priority you place on immediate family shaping your life’s direction.

5. Non Sibi — Desire to help others directly, putting their well-being above yourself.

6. Luminance — Desire for public visibility, recognition, or fame.

7. Agency — How much autonomy and control you want over your decisions and life direction.

8. Workcentrism — How central work is to your identity and life purpose.

9. Eudemonia — Desire to organize life around pleasure, joy, and present-moment happiness.

10. Achievement — Drive for success, excellence, and goal attainment.

11. Affluence — The importance you place on accumulating wealth and financial success.

12. Voice — Desire for authentic self-expression and being heard.

13. Beholderism — Importance placed on aesthetics and how things look or feel.

14. Belonging — How deeply you value friendship, community, and connected groups.

15. Place — How much a specific location or type of environment matters to you.

16. Cosmos — How much spiritual or religious meaning guides your life.

ENNEAGRAM APPENDIX

 Type 1 — The Reformer

Principled, purposeful, and self-controlled; wants to improve things and live by high standards. Core motive: to be good and do what’s right. Core fear: being corrupt, bad, or defective.

Type 2 — The Helper

Warm, generous, and people-oriented; naturally attentive to others’ needs. Core motive: to be loved and appreciated through helping. Core fear: being unwanted, unloved, or unworthy of love.

Type 3 — The Achiever

Success-oriented, adaptable, and driven; focused on excellence and being seen as competent. Core motive: to feel valuable and admirable. Core fear: being worthless, failing, or not admired.

Type 4 — The Individualist

Sensitive, introspective, and expressive; seeks deep meaning and identity. Core motive: to find significance and authentic self-expression. Core fear: having no identity, meaning, or uniqueness.

Type 5 — The Investigator

Perceptive, curious, and independent; seeks understanding and mastery of ideas. Core motive: to be competent and capable. Core fear: being useless, incapable, or overwhelmed.

Type 6 — The Loyalist

Responsible, security-oriented, and committed; looks for safety and support. Core motive: to feel secure and supported. Core fear: being without guidance, security, or support.

Type 7 — The Enthusiast

Spontaneous, energetic, and optimistic; pursues new experiences and possibilities. Core motive: to be satisfied, content, and happy. Core fear: being deprived, trapped in pain, or limited.

Type 8 — The Challenger

Self-confident, decisive, and strong; protects themselves and others, asserts control. Core motive: to be independent and in control of their environment. Core fear: being controlled, harmed, weak, or vulnerable.

Type 9 — The Peacemaker

Easygoing, receptive, and agreeable; values harmony and stability. Core motive: to have inner peace and unity with others. Core fear: loss, separation, conflict, or disconnection from others.