Dimensions of Preference

The KEIRSEY assesses your preferences on four dimensions, each consisting of two opposite sides. Preference can be illustrated by the following exercise:

Imagine taking a piece of paper and pen and writing your name with the hand that you usually use. No problem, right? Now, use your other hand.
How would you describe your experience of writing your name with your preferred hand? Conversely, how would it feel using your non-preferred hand?

The words you and others use to describe the preference for one hand over the other, illustrate the concept of preferences:

You can use either hand when you must, and you do use both hands regularly; but for writing, one feels it is natural and comfortable with the preferred hand, while the other hand requires effort and feels awkward.

You can develop your ability to write with your non-preferred hand, yet you know how difficult it would be if you were required to use only your non-preferred hand throughout the day.  Similarly, according to the KEIRSEY theory, everyone has a natural preference for one of the two-opposites on each of the four KEIRSEY dimensions.  You use both preferences at different times, but not both at once and not, in most cases, with equal comfort or confidence.  When you use your preferred approach, you are generally at your best and feel most confident, natural and energetic.