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Developing Yourself Using MBTI

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#1 ·
If enneagram advice isn't enough for you or you haven't figured out your enneagram type, you can still work on your personal development using these MBTI tips. Try to incorporate one into your life each week, and you may very well find yourself becoming a more well-rounded individual.

Developmental Tips for the Compassionate Assimilator (ISFJ)
  • Although you prefer to reflect carefully before acting, at times try taking a calculated risk and “jump in”. This can help you capitalize on unfamiliar or unexpected opportunities.
  • When making a decision, logically analyze the pros and cons of your options.
  • Make trade-offs between taking a personal, immediate approach to matters and being more objective and efficient in what you do.
  • Think about what might be happening in 3-5 years and make a long-range plan. Be willing to revisit and change your plan.
  • Challenge yourself to look for new ways of doing familiar tasks.
Developmental Tips for the Logical Assimilator (ISTJ)
  • Although you prefer to reflect carefully before acting, at times try taking a calculated risk and “jump in”. This can help you capitalize on unfamiliar or unexpected opportunities.
  • When completing a task observe how people are reacting and interacting. Note how they connect with others and adjust your approach to match.
  • When making a decision that affects people who are important to you, ask them to share their opinions and thoughts. Add their personal responses and preferences into your decision-making criteria.
  • Think about what might be happening in 5 years and make a long-range plan. Be willing to revisit and change your plan.
  • Challenge yourself to look for new ways of doing familiar tasks.
Developmental Tips for the Compassionate Visionary (INFJ)
  • Accept and appreciate the process of logical analysis. Create a system for evaluating situations and ideas that includes logical pros and cons.
  • When preparing to share your thoughts, add logical points and reasons for implementing your ideas.
  • As you are building ideas and coming up with a vision of ‘what could be’, ask for constructive feedback early in the process. This will help you see the situation right away from multiple perspectives. If you get feedback later, you may find it frustrating to re-think your well-defined plan.
  • Link your ideas to realities by adding in a series of concrete, practical implementation steps.
  • Stop to enjoy the moment without becoming lost in your thoughts. Take a photo, draw a picture, write a descriptive passage or do some other activity that keeps you anchored in the moment.
Developmental Tips for the Logical Visionary (INTJ)
  • Accept and incorporate the process of personal analysis. Imagine how people might interpret your actions and what concerns they might raise.
  • As you are building ideas and coming up with a vision of ‘what could be’ ask for constructive feedback early in the process. This will help you see the situation right away from multiple perspectives. If you get feedback later you may find it frustrating to re-think your well-defined plan.
  • When sharing your thoughts, look and listen for cues that people may not be understanding and accepting your vision. Share more concrete details and examples and use fewer metaphors or theoretical explanations.
  • Link your ideas to realities by adding in a series of concrete, practical implementation steps.
  • Stop to enjoy the moment without becoming lost in your thoughts. Take a photo, draw a picture, write a descriptive passage or do some other activity that keeps you anchored in the moment.
Developmental Tips for the Practical Analyzer (ISTP)
  • When examining situations, collect and analyze conceptual and theoretical data as well as factual data. This additional data will lead to a better analysis.
  • When coming up with a solution to a situation consider potential implementation problems and challenges. Work on following through and putting solutions into action.
  • Once you have completed a logical evaluation of an idea or situation take time to also consider who is involved in the situation and observe how the situation is affecting them personally.
  • Notice and offer appreciation when others do something to help you.
  • Learn to develop rapport with others by figuring out their preferences. Use small talk and share some personal information to build relationships when it is appropriate.
Developmental Tips for the Insightful Analyzer (INTP)
  • When examining situations collect and analyze factual as well as conceptual data. This additional data will lead to a better analysis.
  • When coming up with a solution to a situation look for practical implementation problems. Work on following through and putting solutions into action.
  • Once you have completed a logical evaluation of an idea or situation take time to also consider who is involved in the situation and imagine how the situation might affect them personally.
  • Notice and offer appreciation when others do something to help you.
  • Learn to develop rapport with others by figuring out their preferences. Use small talk and share some personal information to build relationships when it’s appropriate.
Developmental Tips for the Practical Enhancer (ISFP)
  • When choosing what to do, look for and consider less obvious options and ideas.
  • Make a plan that builds on your long-term as well as short-term success.
  • Create a list of logical pros and cons when making a decision. Weigh options objectively as well as personally.
  • Speak up about your needs rather than hoping others will naturally consider your perspective.
  • Accept that others naturally approach situations logically. Work on not interpreting this approach as a personal affront.
Developmental Tips for the Insightful Enhancer (INFP)
  • When working towards your ideals, check out the realities and practical constraints of the situation.
  • Map out a sequential, practical plan for accomplishing a goal.
  • Create a list of logical pros and cons when making a decision. Weigh options objectively as well as personally.
  • Speak up about your needs rather than hoping others will naturally consider your perspective.
  • Accept that others naturally approach situations logically. Work on not interpreting this approach as a personal affront.
Developmental Tips for the Compassionate Responder (ESFP)
  • Use your casual, in-the-moment approach selectively since others may misinterpret this approach and think you are not being serious.
  • Recognize many people assess situations impersonally. Listen to this perspective and gather data to make more rounded decisions.
  • Make your decisions more balanced by making a list of logical pros and cons.
  • When making choices and taking action, consider the long-term as well as short-term implications and consequences.
  • When helping others, consider what you could do to provide additional assistance or services that will be helpful in the future.
Developmental Tips for the Logical Responder (ESTP)
  • Use your casual, in-the-moment approach selectively since others may misinterpret this as irresponsible or flippant.
  • Make your decisions more balanced by imagining how each option will affect the people involved and adding this data into your analysis of the situation.
  • To hone your process of personal analysis, listen carefully to others to hear how they are interpreting the situation or your actions.
  • When making choices, consider the long-term as well as short-term implications and consequences.
  • When solving problems, instead of just getting things up and running, consider slowing down to make a more complete overhaul when necessary.
Developmental Tips for the Compassionate Explorer (ENFP)
  • Make your decisions more balanced by imagining the logical implications and consequences of each option as well as looking at personal and humanistic considerations.
  • To hone your process of objective analysis, practice making a logical argument to defend a decision.
  • Take time to identify and analyze the gap between where you are now and where you want to be in the future.
  • When asked to complete a task or project, don’t overestimate what you can do. Accurately assess the facts and practical constraints of the situation.
  • Map out a sequential, practical plan for accomplishing a goal.
Developmental Tips for the Logical Explorer (ENTP)
  • Make your decisions more balanced by imagining how each option will affect the people involved and adding this data into your analysis of the situation.
  • To hone your process of personal analysis, listen carefully to others to hear how they are interpreting a situation.
  • Take time to identify and analyze the gap between where you are now and where you want to be in the future.
  • When asked to complete a task or project, don’t overestimate what you can do. Accurately assess the facts and practical constraints of the situation.
  • Map out a sequential, practical plan for accomplishing a goal.
Developmental Tips for the Practical Contributor (ESFJ)
  • Take a broader perspective before deciding. Consider alternative courses of action as well as the obvious ones.
  • Look at long-term as well as immediate implications and consequences of your actions and decisions.
  • When making a decision create a list of logical pros and cons.
  • You likely feel responsible and want to participate in many social and community groups. Recognize your limits and create time to meet your own needs.
  • You will want to resolve conflicts. However, some problems are not easily solved. Sometimes it is important to agree to disagree and move forward.
Developmental Tips for the Insightful Contributor (ENFJ)
  • Collect more facts and details before deciding.
  • Look at immediate as well as long-term implications and consequences of your actions and decisions.
  • When making a decision create a list of logical pros and cons.
  • Balance your desire to be helpful with practical considerations. You can’t be everything to everybody.
  • You will want to resolve conflicts. However, some problems are not easily solved. Sometimes it is important to agree to disagree and move forward.
Developmental Tips for the Practical Expeditor (ESTJ)
  • Consider several options before deciding.
  • Look at long as well as short-term implications and consequences of your decisions.
  • Ask people how a decision will affect them and take this information into consideration.
  • Listen carefully to people. Hear their concerns without trying to solve their problems.
  • Give positive feedback and encouragement when you see something done well.
Developmental Tips for the Insightful Expeditor (ENTJ)
  • Collect more facts and details before deciding.
  • Look at immediate as well as long-term implications and consequences of your decisions.
  • Ask people how a decision will affect them and take this information into consideration.
  • Listen carefully to people. Hear and respond empathically to their concerns without trying to analyze or solve their problems.
  • Give positive feedback and encouragement when you see something done well.
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#32 ·
Developmental Tips for the Compassionate Visionary (INFJ)
  • Stop to enjoy the moment without becoming lost in your thoughts. Take a photo, draw a picture, write a descriptive passage or do some other activity that keeps you anchored in the moment.

I don't understand the "stop to enjoy the moment" part. I feel like I am always noticing little things and appreciating things others do not see. Is it more like needing to stop thinking all the time about the future? Maybe someone can explain it to me. Does anybody have a specific example of this?
 
#51 ·
Speaking from personal experience only, I think what she means is to CONTINUE enjoying the moment. I sometimes notice details that others miss, especially when it comes to things that are beautiful in a sensory way. But then I tend to internalize what I noticed and switch to THINKING about that detail. Being in your head necessarily takes you out of "the moment" or your immediate environment. As an introvert with dominant Ni, I think it can be very enjoyable to ruminate over something beautiful. But that isn't the same as enjoying your present physical surroundings in that physical moment in time. That's why we're so different from xSxPs! Once something captures my attention, I tend to fixate (which is sometimes necessary and beneficial, but won't lead to growth of other functions). The result is that I tend to fluctuate between awareness of my surroundings (Se) and being engrossed in my thoughts (Ni) when I'm out in nature or attending a performing arts event. In fact, my favorite part of listening to a live orchestra is closing my eyes and letting the music take my mind to interesting places. It's my own version of being "in the moment"! haha
 
#34 ·
Advice for INTJs

-Accept and incorporate the process of personal analysis. Imagine how people might interpret your actions and what concerns they might raise.

Don't know about others but I am all about this. Some of my ideas do not make it out to the general public because I do this TOO much. This might make me err on the side of caution. Also I am open to interpretations of my actions because in my mind any idea is fair game. I get impatient when I present an idea and someone wants to implement an alternate solution usually because I already considered the same plan they are talking about and have found a flaw in it. Then I have to explain myself and then explain the problem with that particular plan. This makes me feel like there is not enough focus on the solution that will definitely work. This is because by the time I have chosen the one that seems to fit best, I have also troubleshooted a multitude of others. On top of this when giving an explanation on what does not work I then have to pick my way around sensitive egos of those who take it personal (it's not.)
Another thing about this that makes it difficult is that when others insist on taking a course of action that I know will not succeed, I have usually stated this very clearly (but professionally) and then have to watch it happen EXACTLY as imagined...Then people say "Oh, how come this was not apparent?" By the I am ROFL because it is really amusing to watch the blame game begin because at this point you have already done everything you could and so there is no harm in laughing about it now!
 
#38 ·
One way i've been improving my life as an ENTJ is limiting my downtime with non-constructive activities. That means, for me, less television, less mindless browsing, and much more reading, activities and social interaction. I function the best when I give myself plenty of activities, information, goals and routines. Before I found my MBTI type I was sitting around doing basically nothing, and I wasn't very happy because of it. The times i've been happiest in my life were when I was working multiple jobs, or had a lot going on.

For me, too much down time results in becoming lazy, sluggish and dissatisfied with my life. Now I schedule social meetups again, remind myself to get up and keep my area neat and organized, and when I have down time, read, teach myself how to do something, or take up a hobby (I like lego skyscrapers the best).
 
#39 ·
Developmental Tips for the Insightful Enhancer (INFP)
When working towards your ideals, check out the realities and practical constraints of the situation.
Map out a sequential, practical plan for accomplishing a goal.
Create a list of logical pros and cons when making a decision. Weigh options objectively as well as personally.
Speak up about your needs rather than hoping others will naturally consider your perspective.
Accept that others naturally approach situations logically. Work on not interpreting this approach as a personal affront.


I notice that whenever I perceive something mundane and try to redescribe the experience to someone else, it becomes enhanced in a way through the film of my processing.
Option 2) seems like a drag..... I don't think I could force myself to actually map out something like that... I would feel like it was a complete waste of time - I could have been writing or reading, etc.
I do need to speak up more about what I FEEL I NEED in a way that is constructive. It is like I get frustrated because I wasn't reacted to in a particular way because I was misunderstood, and blah. But in the end I could make things more simple by stating what I need or feel. Others think so differently, it can be baffling to explain things that seem self-evident.
I don't know how the subject can be removed from the situation, but I think I may be too critical of that last descriptive sentence. Without the personal flare there would be nothing to engulf the knowledge/content. But I think they mean others with Ti or Te as dom functions rather than feeling types.
 
#41 ·
Extra Pointers for ENTP Development

- Practise sitting through boredom, and keeping in touch with friends that do not always offer you the speculative conversations you yern for
- Do not shoot people's thoughts down and try to create a debate out of everything; remember to inform your conversational partner about good ideas they had, even though you other wise would have great arguments against the topic
- Make a plan (for studying, hobbies etc.) and follow through it step-by-step. It might be hard, but it's worth the sweat to achieve great results.

Just things that came in to mind for myself and other ENTPs.
 
#46 · (Edited)
INTJ - Stop to enjoy the moment without becoming lost in your thoughts. Take a photo, draw a picture, write a descriptive passage or do some other activity that keeps you anchored in the moment.
Ha, this is why "YOLO" types make me cringe. ;-)

Anyway, I found the bullet points overall to be spot-on, although personally, not shutting down to others' offers to help when I'm already under stress, is incredibly challenging.
 
#47 ·
Developmental Tips for the Logical Explorer (ENTP)
  • Make your decisions more balanced by imagining how each option will affect the people involved and adding this data into your analysis of the situation.
  • To hone your process of personal analysis, listen carefully to others to hear how they are interpreting a situation.
  • Take time to identify and analyze the gap between where you are now and where you want to be in the future.
  • When asked to complete a task or project, don’t overestimate what you can do. Accurately assess the facts and practical constraints of the situation.
  • Map out a sequential, practical plan for accomplishing a goal.
Shit. I don't think I'll be able to do this to be honest.
 
#54 ·
I find it interesting that under INTJ and INFJ that adding concrete steps is needed to implement ideas.

As an INFJ, I never lack for implementation, am all about making my dreams into reality. I made them happen all on my own, too, never relying on others to help (may share with family and friends what's going on but never needing a hand to help or to hold).
 
#55 ·
As an enfj, it seems no matter how many lists I create, I feel I'm always missing something! & I usually am, & it has got me in some trouble - thankfully I'm surrounded by happy & forgiving intjs, infjs, istps & enfps... lol. Thank you for putting together such thoughtful advice for all the types! 😊
 
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