I Am Not an ENFP Stereotype

**SuperunknownVortex** · 05-12-2011 09:29 AM

There is this truly aggravating stereotype people who are casually acquainted with type have about ENFPs. It is a stereotype that so pervasive that I thought I wasn't an ENFP because I wasn't that stereotype.

I won't describe this stereotype because I'm sure you have heard it before (and if you haven't simply search 'ENFP' online and read the profile descriptions).

I have chosen ENFP as my type because of (1) the Best-Fit Type, and (2) the cognitive functions.

According to the Best-Fit Type ENFP is described as the 'Discoverer Advocate'. 'Discovering' is what the ENFP sees himself or herself as. 'Advocating' is what others see the ENFP as.

Let me emphasize this. You don't have to be a Christopher Columbus or a Ferdinand Magellan to be a discoverer.

The verb 'discover' simply means:
"1. to see, get knowledge of, learn of, find, or find out; gain sight or knowledge of (something previously unseen or unknown)...2. to notice or realize..." 1

You can discover something both outside yourself and within yourself. You can discover a 'thing' or an 'idea'. You can discover an 'insight' about yourself. Discoverering isn't limited to any particular arena.

For example, I spent nights awake during high-school exploring mythologies, psychologies and philosophies to discover 'something'. 'Something' that perhaps no one had discovered before. I haven't found that 'something' but the mere act indicates a lot about myself.

And you don't have to be a Martin Luther King Jr. or a Mohandas Gandhi to be an advocate.

The verb 'advocate' simply means:
"1. to speak or write in favor of; support or urge by argument; recommend publicly" 2

And as a noun an 'advocate' is:
"2. a person who speaks or writes in support or defense of a person, cause, etc. ... 3. a person who pleads for or in behalf of another; intercessor. 4. a person who pleads the cause of another in a court of law." 2

Right now I'm advocating! I advocate everyday even in the most 'insignificant' conversations for mental health, personal growth, satisfaction, etc. I advocate for my co-workers and my faith in their ability to 'get the job done'.

Yet I'm not a revolutionary as most people would imagine a revolutionary as. I'm not not a lawyer. I am me.

These verbs and nouns are defined vaguely because everyone is different. Every ENFP is discovering something different than the other ENFP. Every ENFP is advocating something that may be in direct contrast to something else another ENFP advocates.

You don't have to be 'bubbly', 'quirky', 'odd', 'talkative', 'weird' to be either of the above. You are not a damn stereotype. It is who you are regardless of what habits or traits you have or exhibit.

That is all I want to say.

1 Discover | Define Discover at Dictionary.com
2 Advocate | Define Advocate at Dictionary.com

**MuChApArAdOx** · 05-12-2011 09:41 AM

These verbs and nouns are defined vaguely because everyone is different. Every ENFP is discovering something different than the other ENFP. Every ENFP is advocating something that may be in direct contrast to something else another ENFP advocates.

Thank you. You will notice here with the ENFP's, some of us are vastly different. If you were to put us all in one room, we may or may not agree with anything that is being said. ENFP are so unique. Probably one of the hardest types to find in the outside world, because we don't all fit the stereotype that most people would assume to be said about each and everyone of us.

It's interesting what you wrote about discovery and advocating within this type. Seems we're all on a road to self discovery, doing things our way, ways that make the most sense to us as individuals. Thanks for sharing, interesting and valuable for every ENFP to read.

**Efraim** · 05-12-2011 11:52 AM

Yay, another non-bubbly ENFP! I'm so happy. I too never felt like being one of that bubbly-shiny-rainbows-unicorns-cookies sort of ENFP. Exploration, adventure, creativity, intelligence, bravery...We have noble souls, guys! Like knights! And advocates! And all those freakingly awesome cartoon heroes!

And yet, I find this stereotype of ours quite amusing :D

**AgAu** · 05-12-2011 01:14 PM

Yeah, they all call me Mr. Bubbles! Of course we're not all stereotypical.

**The King Of Dreams** · 05-12-2011 03:38 PM

I'm semi-bubbly. I have my mellow side.

**Rube** · 05-12-2011 09:22 PM

Originally Posted by SuperunknownVortex

There is this truly aggravating stereotype people who are casually acquainted with type have about ENFPs. It is a stereotype that so pervasive that I thought I wasn't an ENFP because I wasn't that stereotype.

I won't describe this stereotype because I'm sure you have heard it before (and if you haven't simply search 'ENFP' online and read the profile descriptions).

I have chosen ENFP as my type because of (1) the Best-Fit Type, and (2) the cognitive functions.

According to the Best-Fit Type ENFP is described as the 'Discoverer Advocate'. 'Discovering' is what the ENFP sees himself or herself as. 'Advocating' is what others see the ENFP as.

Let me emphasize this. You don't have to be a Christopher Columbus or a Ferdinand Magellan to be a discoverer.

The verb 'discover' simply means:
"1. to see, get knowledge of, learn of, find, or find out; gain sight or knowledge of (something previously unseen or unknown)...2. to notice or realize..." 1

You can discover something both outside yourself and within yourself. You can discover a 'thing' or an 'idea'. You can discover an 'insight' about yourself. Discoverering isn't limited to any particular arena.

For example, I spent nights awake during high-school exploring mythologies, psychologies and philosophies to discover 'something'. 'Something' that perhaps no one had discovered before. I haven't found that 'something' but the mere act indicates a lot about myself.

And you don't have to be a Martin Luther King Jr. or a Mohandas Gandhi to be an advocate.

The verb 'advocate' simply means:
"1. to speak or write in favor of; support or urge by argument; recommend publicly" 2

And as a noun an 'advocate' is:
"2. a person who speaks or writes in support or defense of a person, cause, etc. ... 3. a person who pleads for or in behalf of another; intercessor. 4. a person who pleads the cause of another in a court of law." 2

Right now I'm advocating! I advocate everyday even in the most 'insignificant' conversations for mental health, personal growth, satisfaction, etc. I advocate for my co-workers and my faith in their ability to 'get the job done'.

Yet I'm not a revolutionary as most people would imagine a revolutionary as. I'm not not a lawyer. I am me.

These verbs and nouns are defined vaguely because everyone is different. Every ENFP is discovering something different than the other ENFP. Every ENFP is advocating something that may be in direct contrast to something else another ENFP advocates.

You don't have to be 'bubbly', 'quirky', 'odd', 'talkative', 'weird' to be either of the above. You are not a damn stereotype. It is who you are regardless of what habits or traits you have or exhibit.

That is all I want to say.

1 Discover | Define Discover at Dictionary.com
2 Advocate | Define Advocate at Dictionary.com

Omg, thank you so much. You have no idea how much the happy-go-lucky stereotype pisses me off; for so many different reasons. I'm glad someone else feels the same way.

**pmj85** · 05-12-2011 10:58 PM

I absolutely hate pigeon-holing people and stereotypes in general. On the whole I'm a far more even-tempered ENFP than the descriptions suggest. However, when I'm happy you could definitely describe me as a wide eyed, scatterbrained chatterbox. I love life and I do wish to make the most of it.

I also have a terrible attention span. Unfortunately, shinies can and do catch my attention :(

**Hardstyler** · 05-12-2011 11:20 PM

Yea i'm probally the most less sterotypical ENFP. Firstly I only adovcate or "have strong feelings" towards certian topics or causes. ENFP community probally has the most diverse types of people in regards to emotion,feeling,thinking ect meaning most of us are all very differnt from each other. For example one of the reasons why I'm not very sterotypical is i'm not to warm and bubbly when you see me I look very rough and mean untill you get to know me where as other ENFPs come off as warm happy creatures. Secondly I'd rather "DO" then "Say" which is somewhat uncommon for a ENFP. I told myself and other "I want to Save other peoples lives and make the world a better place" and I did one step at a time. I volunteer for food drives, donate blood, help at a youth shelter, and intern for a fire department as a EMT and on top of that I'm getting a job with Cal-fire this summer. I made my dreams come true and "Inspired" others to do the same. I'd rather have experience under my belt or knowledge then "Discover and Advocate." Yes I do have a short attention span and often have my head in the clouds but I'm always dreaming of the future while looking back down and seeing whats infront of me as well.
Sorry my writing skills aren't the best.

**strawberryLola** · 05-13-2011 12:55 AM

I find the stereotypes of ENPFs a bit... sad. I had someone who is of higher authority of me who gave me the MBTI test, and whatever i said and did, that person would use my type against me.

I find the bubbly stereotype to be totally false. I do not run around and jump for joy at everything, but I do keep my happiness contained.

Over-exaggerations tend to come off as red flags to me, because when people feel the need to over-exaggerate a certain type of behavior, I always ask myself what the need is to be not so authentic with ourselves.

Not all ENFPs will be the same,and what I learned from the system is that it is a way for us to understand how we take in information. E does not stand for in your face loudmouth. B-) (Although, I can see it happening tho).