Revealing Your Prototype—ESFP

ESFP is one of the 16 personality types. E stands for Extraversion, S stands for Sensing, F stands for Feeling, and P stands for Perception.

If someone always starts singing and dancing uncontrollably, they can be classified as a Performer. Performers are people who revel in the excitement of the moment and want everyone else to do the same. When it comes to motivating and cheering others on, Performers are unsparing with their time and energy, which is overwhelming and unmatched by any other personality type.

1. Extraversion

ESFPs enjoy interacting with others and feel energized after socializing.

2. Sensing

ESFPs prefer to focus on the present rather than thinking about the distant future. They also like to learn concrete facts rather than theoretical ideas.

3. Feeling

ESFPs place more emphasis on personal feelings rather than logic and facts when making decisions.

4. Perception

ESFPs don’t spend a lot of time planning and organizing. Instead, they like to keep their options open.

I. Strengths

• Boldness — Performers are not known for holding back. Wanting to experience everything there is to experience, people with the Performer personality type don’t mind stepping out of their comfort zone when no one else is willing to.

• Originality — Tradition and expectations are secondary, if a consideration, to a Performer. Performers love to try new styles and constantly look for new ways to stand out from the crowd.

• Aesthetics and Showmanship — Performers don’t just stop at clothing, they infuse artistic creativity into what they say and do. Every day is a performance, and Performers love to put on a show.

• Practicality — For Performers, the world is meant to be felt and experienced. Truth is stranger than fiction, and Performers prefer to see and do rather than philosophize about “what ifs.”

• Observational – All focused on the here and now, doing and performing, it makes sense that performers are naturals when it comes to noticing real, tangible things and changes.

• Excellent people skills – Despite this, performers prefer to focus on people. They are talkative, witty, and almost never lack for topics to discuss. For people with this personality type, happiness and satisfaction stems from spending time with people they like.

Two, Disadvantages

• Sensitive – Performers (especially turbulent ones) are very emotional and very susceptible to criticism – they can feel like they are being backed into a corner and sometimes react badly. This is probably the biggest weakness of the performer, as it makes it difficult to address any other weaknesses that are exposed.

• Conflict aversion – Performers sometimes ignore and avoid conflict completely. They tend to say and do what needs to be done to get out of the situation and then move on to something more interesting.

• Easily bored – Without constant excitement, performers will find ways to create their own. Risky behavior, self-indulgence, and momentary pleasures in long-term plans are all things Performers often dabble in.

• Poor long-term planners - In fact, Performers rarely make detailed plans for the future. For them, things come as they come, and they rarely take the time to arrange steps and consequences, believing that they can change at any time - even things that can be planned.

• Inattention - Anything that requires long-term dedication and focus is a special challenge for Performers. In academia, dense, unchanging subjects such as classics are much more difficult than more dynamic, relevant subjects such as psychology. The trick for Performers is to find daily pleasures in broader goals and to stick with the humdrum things that must be accomplished.

III. Improvement and promotion of ESFP

• Make lists and write down goals.

The spontaneity and impulsiveness of ESFPs often lead them astray. To avoid making impulsive decisions, ESFPs should try to set goals in advance and organize their activities, perhaps with the help of written lists and schedules. This will give them a clear life plan to refer to, allowing them to stay on the straight and narrow in the face of temptation.

• Don't lose sight of the long-term consequences.

By focusing so much on practical matters, ESFPs can sometimes squander opportunities to improve their lives and establish long-term goals. We all need to broaden our horizons and step back in order to see the bigger picture. ESFPs will benefit from engaging in meaningful conversations with the visionaries, creators, and dreamers in their lives. The more relationships ESFPs build with big-picture thinkers, the better off their lives will be.

• Assume it's all constructive criticism.

ESFPs are sensitive to all types of criticism. They take it personally, and often react with resentment and defensiveness. This is not an easy personality trait to overcome, but with practice, ESFPs can reprogram their thought patterns to become less reactive and more open-minded over time. As a starting point, ESFPs should try to convince themselves that all criticism they receive is constructive - which it most likely is. If they can get to this point, their personal growth is all but guaranteed.

• Research alternative learning strategies.

ESFPs often have a hard time functioning in formal academic settings, where there's no escape from abstractions and theory. They prefer practical, hands-on learning that will help them develop specific skills they can apply in the real world. Fortunately, there are alternative learning environments that can provide ESFP-friendly learning experiences—internships, apprenticeships, trade schools or technical colleges, personalized learning programs at online universities. ESFPs will benefit greatly if they venture out of the traditional educational model and forge their own path.

• Shine a flashlight into the darkest corners.

ESFPs are notorious for avoiding uncomfortable topics or situations. But running from trouble actually empowers it, and it can damage relationships if tensions aren't addressed. Rather than avoiding things that make them uncomfortable, ESFPs would be better off confronting them before they have a chance to do any real harm. A positive attitude shouldn't be used as an excuse for denial, which is a bad idea no matter the situation.

Fourth, other personalities that are compatible with ESFP

For people with the ESFP personality type, the best matches are ISFJ and ISTJ. These two types of people can understand their worldview of living in the present. Although ESFPs may have difficulty adapting to intuitive-feeling (N-F) relationships, as these people are often profound idealists or people with intellectual thinking tendencies.

ISFJ (Guardian) and ISTJ (Logistician) are ideal partners for ESFPs to meet their need for attention.

They should give ESFPs enough freedom to pursue personal goals. On the contrary, a relationship with too many restrictions and lack of personal freedom will suffocate ESFPs.

The best partners for ESFPs are usually those who are judging types who can help ESFPs plan their time and manage their schedules. ESFPs are very passionate and bold in love, expressing their love through physical contact and spending time together. However, due to their desire for reciprocated love, they may occasionally show behaviors that do not respect boundaries and are overly clingy.

Five. Summary

ESFPs live in the present moment and enjoy everything that life has to offer. They are particularly good at tuning into their senses and taking pleasure in the sights, sounds, smells, and textures around them. ESFPs like to be busy and fill their lives with hobbies, sports, activities, and friends. Because they would rather live life as it comes than plan ahead, they may overextend themselves when there are too many exciting things to do. ESFPs hate missing out on fun the most.

Although ESFPs are characterized by their playfulness, they are also generally practical and down-to-earth. They are grounded in reality and are usually keenly aware of the facts and details in their surroundings, especially those related to people. They are observant of others and their needs, and are happy to help. ESFPs enjoy helping others, especially in practical ways.