1. INTJ/P

    So over the past few years, I took one actual Myer-Briggs personality test, and have checked in from time to time to see how things have changed. 

    One definite thing that has changed in the past two years is I am more often INTP than INTJ. If anyone reading this is interested you should definitely go check out the test, because most people that have taken say that the way that they’re described is frighteningly accurate… and the advice that it gives into improving and becoming a better human being is insightful.

    Well there are tons of things that can be compared… but I’ll focus on the strengths and weaknesses of both personality types, and see what’s changed.

    INTJ Suggestions

    • Take care to listen to someone’s idea entirely before you pass judgment on it. Ask questions if necessary. Do whatever it takes to make sure that you understand the idea. Try not to begin judging anything about the idea until you have understood it entirely.
    • Before you begin talking to another person, pause for a moment and look at that person. Take in that person’s attitude and feelings at that moment. Be aware of the person with whom you’re speaking.
    • If you become upset, walk away immediately. DO NOT express anger. When you get angry, you lose. After you have calmed down, apologize for leaving and continue with what you were doing.
    • Try to identify the personality type of everyone that you encounter frequently in your life. Remember that people with the Sensing preference need to be communicated with in a direct, concise manner. Speak plainly and simply with Sensors, giving “yes” or “no” answers.
    • Try to be on good terms with all people, even those that you consider beneath you. Try to understand that everybody has something to offer.
    • When you make judgments or decisions, try to be aware of your motivation for making the judgment. Are you more interested in finding fault externally, or in improving your own understanding? Seek first to understand, and then to judge.

    For the most part I think that I have adhered to these suggested changes, and over the years have learned a lot of things. First of all, my temper has gone down a considerable amount. I’m not really likely to throw a fit, but rather think it through before I really decide on how to address the situation. 

    However, these things change you… here are a few suggestions from the INTP side.

    • Figure out how you feel about the other person. Do not falsely express love, or lead someone on with your ambivalence.
    • Don’t expect yourself to be a master at the “touchy-feely” game. Be yourself, but remember that there is a basic assumption of human decency that must be adhered to in relationships. If you’re not sure what that means, take special care to observe how people in “good” committed relationships behave towards each other, so that you can determine where the lines are drawn.
    • Pair yourself with an Extraverted Thinker (ESTJ or ENTJ) who is less likely to assume that the lack of feedback is the same thing as negative feedback.
    • Realize and accept that for you a satisfying relationship will start with the head, and move on towards the heart.
    • Expanding your world and experiences will expand your understanding of human expectations. Try to figure out the personality type of people that you know and encounter in your life.
    • Take care to notice what people look like in different social situations. Notice their hair, makeup (or lack thereof), the condition of their clothes, their shoes, their facial expressions. Don’t compare others to your own appearance, simply take notice of it.
    • When having a conversation with a friend or relative, spend at least half of the time talking about them. Concentrate on really understanding where the person is coming from with their concerns. Ask questions.
    • Think of the people who are closest to you. Remember that they have their own lives going on. Try to visualize what that person is doing, and imagine what kinds of things that person is thinking about. Don’t pass judgement, just think about it.

    Ha.HA! Yeah, a lot of these suggestions are things that I definitely need to improve on. Anyone who knows me well enough would find these suggestions highly humorous :(.

    I think for the most part that the change in myself has been more of an internal one. As I seek to observe and become aware of metaphysical truths in the universe, I switched from a judging personality to a more perceptive one. I feel like yes with a lot of thought I’ve become a bit more introverted, but I’ll try to improve being balanced and perceive truths of the world from a more objective point of view… I think the biggest thing that looking through these suggestions and tests is that I’ve been so wrapped up in my head lately. Prior to the change… I was selfish but now I’m trying to improve… me, instead of looking at it from a more universal perspective. I’ll just consider it a step-by-step process, and if I’m capable of sensing other people’s feelings and truly empathizing and understanding them, then I think I’ll have done a good job. 

    An important part of the suggestions from the INTP page was:

    “Although they have more simple needs from interpersonal relationships than most other types have, it’s very important that they keep up their extraverted relationships, rather than going it alone. INTPs who isolate themselves rarely feel happy or successful. The INTP’s feeling of success depends upon their opportunities to exercise their active mind, their opportunities to seek and find Truth, and the condition of their relationships and extraverted life.” 

    I feel like I’ve overlooked that part and it’s been evident in how I’ve been feeling lately. Mm more things to work on a physical/mental level. Let’s see how much progress I’ll make in a month!

    1 year ago  /  Notes