The Star Wars explanation of the Myers-Briggs Personality Type Indicator® offers the evil Emperor Palpatine as the chosen representative for INTJs (Introvert, iNtuitive, Thinking, and Judging). That’s me…“The Mastermind.”

For anyone who is unfamiliar, the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI®) identifies 16 personality types based on eight preferences. These include Extraversion (E) or Introversion (I), Sensing (S) or Intuition (N), Thinking (T) or Feeling (F), and Judging (J) or Perceiving (P.) Preferences are assigned based on the affirmation or rejection of a substantial list of declaratives like: “You feel at ease in a crowd.”

But, many of the statements I rejected are affirmed when:

• Changing “you enjoy having a wide circle of acquaintances” to “you enjoy having a wide circle of DISNEY acquaintances.”

• “The more people with whom you speak, the better you feel” is altered to read “the more people with whom you speak ABOUT DISNEY, the better you feel.”

• Or “you feel at ease in a crowd” is made more specific with “you feel at ease in a crowdED MAGIC KINGDOM® PARK.”

And reason is absolutely abandoned when considering “you trust reason rather than feelings” in relation to waiting in a 55-minute queue for Peter Pan’s Flight® because “it’s a classic and I love it…”

That’s right, without Disney I am an introverted “mastermind.” With Disney, I’m transformed into an ENTJ (Extrovert, iNtuitive, Thinking, and Judging), represented on the same chart by Princess Leia Organa.

I’m that person in the grocery store wishing the grim fate of a Bothan spy on the lady in front of me in the express lane with 30-40 items and her checkbook in-hand. But, when I overhear her ask her companion if they really need reservations for “that princess dinner at Walt Disney World” I’m suddenly offering up the location of the Rebel base and my thoughts on the benefits of dining at the Akershus Royal Banquet Hall vs. Cinderella’s Royal Table.

I’m not trying to depict introversion as a negative personality trait. (Although I don’t recommend modeling your life after Emperor Palpatine…Spoiler Alert: It ends badly for him.) I’m only attempting to illustrate how pursuing a passion can really change you.

It took me a while to accept the idea that a brand could change my personality. But, it does…because Disney is my passion. For you it might be Disney as well, or French Poodles, or underwater basket weaving. What’s important is that you recognize your passion and then find others who share it.

In 2011, I stumbled across a thread on DISboards.com discussing the upcoming “Walt Disney World Moms Panel” application season. I thought, “I like Disney. I’m good at planning Walt Disney World® Resort vacations.” I signed up and joined the group.

I had no idea what a brilliant, supportive, and vast community it is. More than four years later, I’m blessed to count many Disney moms and dads among my friends. Friends, who are ready to lift me up when I need it and chEAR me on when I succeed…even if they don’t. And, of course, they are always happy to dish Disney with me!

The Internet makes finding people who share your passion so much easier. A quick Google search will introduce you to groups devoted to French Poodles, underwater basket weaving, and everything between. I feel blessed to have a global community of fellow Disneyphiles only a keystroke away.

As we all begin the journey into 2015, take time to find your passion…whatever it is…and then seek out people from around the world to share it!

In the words of Jedi Master Oprah, “Passion is energy. Feel the power that comes from focusing on what excites you.” You’ll find more power than even the Dark Side could offer.

*Please note, the Star Wars MBTI chart is not a scientific evaluation of the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator®. Author doesn’t endorse actually trying to weave baskets underwater (especially with a poodle), and understands that Oprah is not really a Jedi Master (not until she accepts her first Padawan anyway.)