ENTJ == human beings.

 

Ha. As Scelerat said...

I've been through a lot of personal struggles that don't quite add up to the idealized vision of what an ENTJ is "supposed" be like. I'll spare people the more intimate details of all that, but let's just say I was nothing nice. I was able to get a better idea of this by looking at my enanagram type which actually has a fair amount of focus on personal health.

To sum it up, unhealthy people can make unhealthy decisions. We can come to the same conclusions and situations, the process under the hood just may be different.

 

I think it's quite telling that the tendency to categorize and reduce to principles also seem to shine through when it comes to evaluating oneself. I've made references to being data driven before and quite a few people have mentioned that ENTJs are often "argument from authority" and "How do you like them source references" type people in discussions. So, it brings a smirk to my face that it may be easy to discern where one does not fill the mold of "sociopathic robot" that seems to permeate through the various descriptions of ENTJs.

"Hi, I keep scoring ENTJ, I've done extensive analysis of my cognitive functions and they fit the ENTJ function hierarchy, I've been typed professionally and have had Dario Nardi personally perform a 10-20 EEG, but I haven't advocated burning down half of the houses in the U.S to fix the housing market, made plans for purchasing the diesel (with BP) and invested heavily in construction. Does this mean I'm not an ENTJ?"

Just to keep this going:

"Hi, I score as an INTJ but I actually said "Hi" to someone today, does this mean I'm not an INTJ?"

"Hi, I score as an ESFJ, but I met someone today and didn't hug them, am I mistyped?"

"I often score ESTP, but I usually pay my bills on time, does this mean I'm not an ESTP?"

"Gosh, I keep scoring ESFP but I don't fuck every [insert gender(s) of choice] I meet and I've only been out doing shots all night 6 days this week, does this mean I'm not an ESFP?"

"Usually I come out as an INTP, but I find that reductionist and not at all representative of my personality, as a matter a fact I think the cognitive functions may be a manifestation of an unknown metaphysical entity, that in an of itself does not exist, yet I'm not being a sophist.... does this mean I'm not an INTP?"

"You know, I've gotten ENTP 13 times in these tests, but I can't come up with 347 ways to kill my next door neighbor using a stack of post-it notes, a gum wrapper and a tampon, does this mean I'm not an ENTP?"

"Hi ya'll, I'm so happy to be here, but I have a little problem, I get ENFP, but rainbows do not shoot out of my rear-end and I do not vomit sunshine constantly, does this mean I'm not an ENFP?"

"Hello everyone, I scored ISTJ but I didn't even notice that the row of circles that I was supposed to check under "I see the big picture and hate details" had a 0.3 pixels bigger space between them than the ones for question 8 and the one for question 11. I also love to go out and party with my friend when we go to the phone book conventions, does this mean I'm not an ISTJ?"

"Hello, I hope everyone is having a great day! I keep scoring INFP, but I just think that sub-dividing the human race is wrong and that we're all unique little special snowflakes, but sometimes I think that one person is terrible, does this mean I'm not an INFP?"

"hi, i score infj but i'm not currently crying because I'm covered from head to toe in bruises from walking into the mean stuff in the world, does this mean i'm not an infj?"

"Hi, I keep scoring ISTP, but I'm not currently sneaking up behind people with pianowire, nor do I have a barcode tattooed on my neck, does this mean I'm not an ISTP?"

"I keep getting ISFJ, but I haven't baked cookies for my friends and family in 8 hours, does this mean I'm not an ISFJ?"


@antlp My point through this whole rant is that ENTJs are humans just like all other personality types are human and as @-Halo- said, every personality type can (and most likely will) experience self-destructive behavior at times. Most will experience some form of hardship and most will experience contextual insecurities. I've never met anyone who wasn't scared or insecure about something, because most people are insecure or scared in some situations. On the same note, most people are brave and/or highly secure in another context.

 

^^^:laughing::laughing::laughing:^^^
@Scelerat that about sums it up. I just leave the cognitive function descriptors to describe nothing but functions of cognition. Sure one can make a predictive guess that people will often turn out a particular way when you mix these things with certain environmental factors being optimal. But there are just way too many variations of environment and even personal subjective experiences.

 

Can I list some of my ENTJ qualities?

 

No.

 

Where's your sense of adventure?

 

I think it's all been said about how no one is a perfect ENTJ or any type and that we're all human. However as to the other question how to become a happier and more confident ENTJ, perhaps it's better to work on becoming a happier and more confident individual. No one gains anything by sticking to type anyway since it's just a generalised bunch of rules.
You seem to have isolated your problems and are in the process of evaluating it and coming to solutions. Happinesss = overrated and Contentment = bliss (that last reason is why idiots and ignoramuses are usually happier than those who seek knowledge).
I'd say work on your problems, forget type and overcome them.
Also it's hard being a perfectionist, but you can channel that perfectionism. The entire output might not be absolutely perfect but there will be a specific detail in it that is worth getting perfect - find that, get it perfect and see if it's more. Worse than being perfect is wasting your time (and you've noted that). I'm sure when time becomes a priority, perfectionism goes out the window a bit because delivery is essential to success. No point in creating something perfect for no one to see.
Motivation - see the long goal and the nearest goal. Forget the path, just have a vague idea of the path since there are options that spring up as you complete the nearest goal. Just keep the long goal and the next goal (or maybe 2) in mind. Getting them optimally done should help motivate you. Results generally motivate most people especially desired results. Are you on that road? If not it's possible you want to move in that direction.

Also who said you can't live a carefree, artistic life - if you plan and aim for it you can. Perhaps not right away but you could get there. Everything has sacrifices. I'm the only one standing amongst my friends chasing some absurd dreams (in their eyes). I've managed to get some amount of tangible success since I never gave up. I'm still not at the final goal but I'm not old either. It's not about quitting and not about absurd dreams but plans, logistics and doing what it takes. Calculated risks.

 

It took me a very, very long time and a lot of research to realize I am an ENTJ and accept that I could possibly be one because of exactly the issues you described. I was stuck in our inferior function (Fi) for such a long time that I constantly didn't even bother to read anything about ENTJs because there was 'no way' I could possibly be one. I finally looked into it and was shocked by the similarities! I decided to get professionally tested so I could finally quell any and all my self doubts once and for all and what do you know-- ENTJ haha

scelerat - that post was on point!!!

 

Human Behavior > The "Big-Five" Traits > Personality "Types"

Obvious answer as @Scelerat mentioned, we're human below the personality. Don't let the stereotypes and categorization fool you.

Self-categorization theory
"Self-categorization theory is a social psychological theory that describes the circumstances under which a person will perceive collections of people (including themselves) as a group, as well as the consequences of perceiving people in group terms."
reference: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Self-categorization_theory

Know your bias and misconceptions.

 

I do have my natural tendencies. But, I choose to act against them when I deem fit.

Acting one way all the time is foolish. People who choose to act a certain way so they get put in category by people & be perceived a certain way are rats among eagles.

 

I guess it all comes down to three questions for me:

• Are there other ENTJ's out there who feel insecure at times and if so, how do your insecurities manifest themselves?
• Are there other ENTJ's out there who can be self-destructive and if so, how?
• Are there ENTJ's out there - even the really extroverted ones, unlike me - who find themselves uncomfortable in groups when they aren't the center of attention or the leader of a group (as I do), particular in groups of strangers, or do ENTJ's usually find it really easy to talk to everyone?

The short answer to this question is yes to all of the above.

1. I get insecure in large groups of people that I feel could potentially be more intelligent than me.
2. I was self destructive in my younger years but tend to avoid that type of behaviour now, but I still recognize the potential for self destructive behavior (ie, binge drinking when I was on vacation in Mexico for my birthday)
3. I can talk to anyone but I have a very low attention span and have difficulty listening to people when the conversation becomes boring to me. I have a problem when people don't listen to me, I feel like they don't value my opinion when I am trying to tell them important information. I typically don't talk unless it is necessary for forming relationships that can help me succeed in my goals in the business world, to relay important information or when I am with a close friend or family member.