From extreme intuition and heightened empathy to troubles with conflict and self-expression,
today we look at Secrets of the I.N.F.J. personality type
Number 11.
Predicting Patterns Of the 16 major personality types found through
the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator, an introspective questionnaire popularly used in self-identifying
one's psyche, the INFJ persona is the rarest.
INFJ stands for introverted, intuitive, feeling, and judging.
Among the various indicators that a person is an INFJ, or "Advocate" personality type,
one that tends to stick out is their ability to seemingly predict the turnout of things
to come.
With a focus on the big picture, INFJs will often notice patterns and be able to forecast
the possible outcome of events as they unfold.
While they typically see the conclusions that could happen, this astute ability to discern
possible outcomes will often grow more accurate with experience.
Number 10.
Acute Perception As introverts, INFJs spend a great deal of
time in their own heads.
This leaves them open to observe and analyze the actions and feelings of others, leading
to a greater understanding of the emotions and motivations of others.
This greater understanding of the mindset of others is a one way street, unfortunately
for "Advocates", as most others tend to have difficulty prying into the thought process
of an INFJ.
Their ability to perceive, though, has its limits.
With a mind set on the bigger picture, smaller details like important dates or a person's
favorite meal will often elude the memory of an INFJ.
But deeper concepts will stick with an "Advocate" for ages.
They use their highly perceptive observance to recognize when a person is feeling a specific
emotion, hiding something, or lying...even when the person in question doesn't know it
themselves.
To make things more intriguing, an INFJ personality type usually doesn't realize the depths to
which they know how others tick.
And even if they did, they probably won't reveal the extent of their knowledge unless
absolutely necessary.
Number 9.
Next Level Empathy While it's common among many personality types
to relate to the emotions of others, INFJ's take empathy to new heights.
Not only do they notice and sense the emotions of others, but they go so far as to feel them
in their own body.
"Advocates" simply going about their day are said to feel sudden shifts in their mood,
only to look around and see someone else feeling the same way as them nearby.
This is thought of as a type of emotional absorption.
The closer the person is to the INFJ, the more likely they will feel that person's mental
state.
For example, should an "Advocate" attend the wake of a person who has passed away, it won't
matter if that person was close to them.
If the person whose life is being celebrated was close to a loved one that is now feeling
great sadness, an INFJ may burst into tears as they're overcome with the same sadness
as their friend or family member.
While this can be a struggle for the INFJ personality type, it also gives them great
power in comforting others as they experience the suffering of those around them first hand.
Number 8.
Whole Other Wavelength Each personality type on the Myer-Briggs scale
has its own "dominant function", and in an INFJ that function is referred to as Introverted
Intuition.
What this means is that "Advocates" subconsciously notice patterns, especially when it comes
to human nature.
This often makes them feel as if they're on a completely different frequency as those
around them.
With such a high level of intuition, an INFJ personality type will often have hunches and
gut feelings they can't quite explain, which may come across as psychic...or weirdly superstitious,
depending on the people in their company.
However, due to the stress of attempting to explain this apparent "super power", most
INFJs will simply keep their predictive skills to themselves.
This, unfortunately, often results in feelings of being misunderstood and a mental isolation
from the rest of society.
Number 7.
Seeing Double Beneath the surface, many people have a duality
to their personality, and INFJs can see that clearly more often than not.
These personality types will see and sense not just the person you truly are, but the
various people you have the potential to be.
Part of what makes these deeper features stand out to INFJs is their natural curiosity for
complex matters and their unwillingness to accept information at face-value.
"Advocates" will peel away at their peers' personas like an onion until they have discovered
the core to their desires and purpose.
So by doing this, they are able to see both the version of a person that they present
to the world, as well as the version that is kept hidden safely from the judgment of
others.
By reading between the lines, INFJs will recognize all of your different personalities...as well
as the reasons for their development!
Number 6.
Logically Emotional Though much of what makes an INFJ their dedicated
personality type seems to revolve around emotions, these people are actually very deep thinkers,
sometimes miscast as INTJs, or "Architects", for their apparent propensity for being rational.
One of their top functions is characterized as Introverted Thinking, which surprisingly
makes them fitting for careers as analysts or scientists.
INFJs might hold jobs in the technology industry, as researchers, or in various fields of science.
This "Introverted Thinking" is balanced by their function of "Extroverted Feeling", or
the function that explains their desire to connect with others.
This puts "Advocates" in a strange position, often explained as being "too emotional for
the Thinkers but too logical for the Feelers."
While they might feel strange or out of place, this balance of thought and feeling leave
INFJs as possibly the most balanced of all the personality types!
Number 5.
Extravert Guise With a heightened sense of the feelings of
others, INFJs tend to take great responsibility in this "sixth sense" by attempting to maintain
the status quo.
Wanting to keep morale up and ensure the comfort of those around them, "Advocates" will do
what it takes to sustain a sense of harmony.
This often requires them to be much more social than they'd prefer, taking them out of their
comfort zone for the benefit of others.
Whether talking to those they suspect of feeling left out or breaking up awkward silences or
moments of tension with a joke, INFJs will try their best to keep spirits high, even
if it means resorting to self-deprecating humor to do so.
Because of this behavior, it may seem as though these personality types are actually extraverts.
This responsibility, however, will take its toll on "Advocates" as too much socializing
can leave them feeling drained and in need of a break.
Overwhelmed by such social situations, INFJs may "disappear" from time to time to recharge
their brains and reflect on information and the bonds they've forged before reemerging
into their social spheres.
Number 4.
Are You An INFJ There are many signs that may indicate this
personality type applies directly to you and your behavior.
INFJs tend to feel as if they don't fit in, and will feel different from those around
them.
This may come out as a sense of having a destiny, as you're meant for greater endeavors and
grander heights.
You could also be an "Advocate" if you find yourself being less concerned with current
events, popular news, or the like, while being more focused on epic concepts like space,
human nature, or the meaning of life.
Or it may be apparent in the way that you keep your feelings to yourself, internally
conflicted with how to express such feelings to others.
A high propensity for compassion is a strong indicator of an INFJ as well.
This can be seen in "people-pleasing" behavior and felt through extremely sensitive empathy.
Another telling point is in one's pursuit of knowledge and self-betterment.
INFJs will continually strive for better, especially when concerning something they're
passionate about, ignoring the difficulty of a task and tackling it head on.
They also love books, preferably those that will open their minds to complex subjects
like psychology, sciences, self-improvement, and spirituality.
This all leads to a sense of wisdom, which, while gratifying, can feel encumbering as
well.
However, the best way to tell if you're an INFJ personality type is to simply take the
Myers-Briggs Type Indicator questionnaire yourself!
Number 3.
Averse to Conflict The need to maintain harmony among their peers,
while beneficial to those around them, has a flip side for INFJs.
When faced with conflict, those with this personality type will become overcome with
extreme feelings of anguish and distress.
Sensitive and emotional, "Advocates" will endure restless nights and difficulty focusing
as their minds stay wrapped around the problem at hand.
This stress may even carry over into physical consequences, causing INFJs to experience
migraines, upset stomachs, muscle pain, or worse!
As a result, many with this personality type will avoid conflict altogether, though this
method of handling hostility or tension isn't the healthiest response.
It's suggested that INFJs learn to stand up for their own needs and set boundaries where
necessary.
And in typical "Advocate" fashion, they will often learn to do this with an exceptional
warmth, compassion, and understanding so as to maintain a sense of diplomacy.
Number 2.
Unbalanced Love Life Such a deep sense of caring and attention
to the feelings of others don't always work out in favor of INFJs, especially when it
comes to romantic endeavors.
Their tendency to put others first will often lead them to forsake their own wants and needs
to do so.
This won't be an issue to start with, as "Advocates" prefer to not hog the spotlight and will find
joy in the growth of others.
However, this same selflessness makes them especially susceptible to others who are willing
to take advantage.
INFJs might find themselves in relationships where they continuously make themselves available
to listen to their partner, but when the script is flipped, they end up being left high and
dry as their troubles go unvented.
Or, in some cases, the INFJ will find themselves in a relationship they don't quite enjoy as
much as their partner, but will stick with it for the sake of not upsetting their significant
other.
These relationships will end up leaving INFJs emotionally exhausted and rarely have a happy
ending, thus making it all the more important for them to find a mate with which they can
have a balanced relationship.
Number 1.
Soulmate Searching Socializing can be fairly difficult for the
average "Advocate".
They often must find someone they can truly trust before they let that person deep into
their lives.
This goes for romance as well, making INFJs firm believers in the existence of "soul mates".
Authenticity in terms of intimacy and connection are chief among their desires, but to create
such a relationship can be a struggle at times.
Such a deep connection is hard to find, and can be even tougher to forge, but once an
"Advocate" finds "the one", their love will be phenomenal.