Depth vs. Breadth

Last night my husband and I were talking about the Myers Brigg personality test.  He is ENTJ and I am ISFJ.  One of the differences of "I" (Introversion) vs. "E" (Extroversion) is that extroverts prefer breadth of experience and introverts prefer depth of experience.  Phil agreed that although he likes depth, he does prefer breadth more.  Breadth just means a broad amount of things to do in the day.

Well, I can see how I can use a little more breadth of experience in my day actually.  I am technically an amnivert - introverted and extroverted at the same time.  Living in this very small town as a stay at home mom is sometimes lonely.  I see now that even doing a few unusual things in the day will add some breadth that helps.  Stopping and visiting with the neighbor girl who is playing outside and meeting her grandparents who are visiting from South Africa.  Swinging my toddler in the elementary school playground swing instead of walking directly back to my own home. I did those things this morning while out for a stroll to do certain errands.

Phil is often much more restless to get out and do things than I am.  He is always saying he wishes he could live a different place every six months.  That idea drives me crazy because I enjoy putting down roots and making connections.  But I can see how his needs for more "breadth" are greater than mine and I can be more supportive to it.

Also, in being more extroverted, he needs more frequent interactions with people.  That will energize him.  He admitted that sometimes when he is feeling unmotivated - sitting and playing aimlessly on the computer -  it is for that reason - knowing he needs more interaction with others and actually missing the interaction he had with people while working in his last job.  He is now working from home in a job that he likes overall quite a lot.  It has the perk of more "breadth" of opportunities as he is able to travel around the counties and see different things.