Myers Briggs has a very cool system to help people find their “type,” helping them clarify what jobs, work places, etc., would be best for them. I am in a small percentile of folks, like many of my readers, clients and students that are sensitive, that are INFJs. NFs are the intuitive feelers of the world. We experience the world through our feeling.
What I think is very nice about this classification is that when I try to be someone I am not, looking at an INFJ definition, I realize that I am unique in how I handle the world, and that’s just fine. I am encouraged to work with how I am, not against it, not act like someone I am not, such as a ISTP. What a concept. That means if I try to apply for a job as a hostess at a busy restaurant, I might get it, but I won’t last very long with that constant people stimulation. I’d fry out. I would also fail at a job that was only repetitive work that didn’t use my mind or imagination. I’d probably escape through the nearest window.
I look back at the jobs I had when I was younger and I now see how I was squeezing a circle into a square job. Then I’d berate myself when I’d fail at it! I’ve had lots of retail jobs in those early years, and though I was good at helping customers and enjoyed it, I was extremely unfulfilled not creating anything or using my mind to solve problems. My funnest job but the one I failed the most at was working at Burger King on the night shift as a teen. I was terrible at repetitive cooking, would forget the details on how to make food, and all I wanted to do was socialize and learn my coworkers’ stories.
- INFJs, like most sensitives, need alone time to recharge or we get a bit wonky. Too much ongoing people interaction=overload
- INFJs like to encourage others’ growth and empowerment and like to help in that capacity
- INFJs like to solve complex problems and use their minds
- INFJs need jobs that are value-oriented and see their positive impact on others
- INFJs may not be good at facts and details and repetition
- INFJs best in leader roles, not followers
When you think of your work or situation choices, work WITH who you are, not against. The Myers Brigg classification is one tool that really assists with finding the right places for your talents and shifts your perception from “there’s something wrong with me” to “maybe this is just a bad match for my strengths and abilities.”
And if you live in an area where most of the jobs are not matches for your classifications, make your own, like I did. Find a need that matches what only you can give.
Ronni's Psychic Room & Readings 
I’m an INFJ too:) and I’m also proud of it! Discovered this about 6 months ago, and I recognized myself immediately in the INFJ description. All the jobs (except for a couple) have been so wrong, having me believe there’s something wrong with me:( Discovering I’m an INFJ was so liberating. Now if I can just get all the extroverts around me to comprehend not everyone in the world needs to be an extrovert or should be one for that matter. And that if a person is an introvert, it doesn’t mean we don’t like people or that we’re misfits or worse… extroverts need education about what introverts are or are not. Lots of good sites out there about introversion, Ronnie. If you’re interested in them, let me know, and I’ll pass them on to you. Great to meet another INFJ, we’re relatively rare you know…only 1 or 2 percent of the population:)
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Carol, very cool! Did you read the book Introvert Advantage? Email me the sites. I’ll share it here.
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Yes, I’ve read “The Introvert Advantage”, excellent and will e-mail you the sites… I will e-mail you those sites, Ronnie. Bet there are lots of people around who feel so out of sync with everyone else and are shamed by society. There’s such a negative (but completely wrong) view of introverts in the world and that needs to change.
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I’m also an INFJ. I find it a very difficult personality to live with, but I am proud of it. We are so rare and have so much potential!
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thanks for your comment. And I dig your blog and many of us can relate to what you wrote! ESPECIALLY feeling what everyone else is feeling.
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