Defender (ISFJ) – Type Description

ISFJ is one of the 16 personality types as defined by the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI), characterized by introversion, sensing, feeling, and judgment. Known as the “defender” or “protector,” they are practical, responsible, and deeply loyal individuals who place a high value on tradition and stability. ISFJs are compassionate and caring towards others, and are often seen as the backbone of their community. They have a strong sense of duty towards their family, friends, and community, and are willing to go to great lengths to ensure their well-being. They reward kindness with kindness, and their close relationships are based on trust, mutual respect, and a willingness to support each other through thick and thin.

ISFJs have high standards for their work and are meticulous in their approach to tasks and planning. They are detail-oriented and have a keen eye for spotting small changes in their environment. They take pride in their work and are committed to delivering high-quality results, often going the extra mile to ensure that everything is done to perfection. ISFJs can be reserved and private, but they are warm and approachable towards those they trust. They have a calm and composed demeanor and prefer to avoid conflict, seeking harmony and cooperation in their relationships. All in all, ISFJs are compassionate, responsible, and dependable individuals who are deeply committed to their values and those they care about.

Cognitive Functions of ISFJs:

To gain insight into the characteristics of ISFJ personalities, it is helpful to understand the dominant and auxiliary cognitive functions that drive them. According to the MBTI system, each personality type has a set of cognitive functions that they use most frequently, which leads to consistent patterns and characteristics. For ISFJs,

the dominant cognitive function is Introverted Sensing (Si), and
the auxiliary function is Extraverted Feeling (Fe)

Dominant Si: Introverted Sensing (Si) is used to process and recall sensory information from the past. It involves a subjective interpretation of past experiences, which is used to inform present decision-making and behavior. Individuals who use Si as their dominant function tend to have a strong memory for details, a focus on routine and tradition, and a preference for the familiar.

ISFJs rely on their dominant Si heavily to navigate the world around them. Due to their Si, ISFJs have a strong sense of personal history and tradition, and are deeply rooted in their values and beliefs. They are also able to recall information with great accuracy and clarity, which allows them to make informed decisions and provide helpful advice to others.

Auxiliary Fe: People with an auxiliary Extraverted Feeling (Fe) function tend to be empathetic and sensitive to the needs and emotions of others. They are skilled at interpreting and responding to social cues, but may struggle with confrontation or expressing their own needs. They pay attention to the impact their actions and words have on others and may seek to create a sense of connection and community.

As an auxiliary function, Fe helps ISFJs to be sensitive to others’ needs and to be able to empathize with others. It also helps them to make decisions that are emotionally intelligent and sensitive to the feelings of everyone involved.

Due to ISFJs’ focus on these dominant and auxiliary functions, their intuition and thinking functions are less developed, which can lead to a lack of intuitive or abstract thinking (intuition), strategic planning and rational decision making (thinking).

Strengths of ISFJs

Like all personality types, ISFJs also have their own unique set of strengths, some of which are as follows.

Judgment and decision-making: ISFJs are skilled at making sound judgments and decisions. Their dominant Si allows them to draw on past experiences and memories to inform their decision-making process. They are able to weigh the pros and cons of a situation, consider potential outcomes, and make decisions that align with their values and principles.
Empathy and compassion: ISFJs have a natural empathy and compassion for others, which stems from their auxiliary Fe. They are able to understand and relate to the emotions of others, are skilled at diffusing tense or uncomfortable situations,and are often sought out as trusted confidants and advisors.

Reliability and stability: ISFJs thrive in stable environments and are committed to maintaining a sense of consistency and routine due to their dominant Si. They are able to create a sense of order and predictability in their personal and professional lives, making them reliable and trustworthy.
Loyalty and dedication: ISFJs are extremely loyal to their friends, family, and colleagues. They have a strong sense of duty and are committed to supporting those they care about. They are willing to go above and beyond to help others, and their dedication is unwavering.

Weaknesses of ISFJs

Some potential weaknesses of ISFJs include:

Rigidity and inflexibility: ISFJs may be too attached to established traditions and routines due to their dominant Si, making it difficult for them to adapt to new situations and places. They may also be resistant to change, leading to missed opportunities for growth and development.
Avoidance of Emotional Vulnerability: ISFJs have a tendency to repress their feelings, particularly negative ones. Because they prioritize the feelings and needs of others due to their Fe, ISFJs may neglect their own emotional well-being and suppress their own emotions. This can lead to them feeling overwhelmed or resentful, and may cause them to withdraw from social situations or become passive-aggressive in their interactions with others.
Over Reliance on past experiences: While ISFJs’ strong sense of personal history can be an asset, it can also lead to over-reliance on past experiences and a reluctance to try new things. They may struggle with taking risks and stepping outside of their comfort zone.
Tendency to be overly self-critical: ISFJs have high personal standards and may be overly critical of themselves when they fail to meet their own expectations. This can lead to feelings of inadequacy and self-doubt.

ISFJs & career choice

ISFJs are known for their strong work ethic, attention to detail, and deep sense of responsibility. They prefer careers that allow them to make a tangible difference in the lives of others, and that align with their values and beliefs. Here are some career options that may be a good fit for ISFJs:

Healthcare professionals: ISFJs are well-suited for careers in healthcare due to their compassionate and caring nature. They may excel as nurses, medical assistants, or social workers.
Teachers or educational administrators: ISFJs’ desire to help others and make a positive impact can lead them to careers in education. They may excel as teachers or administrators who create a supportive learning environment for their students.
Accountants or bookkeepers: While not typically associated with artistic expression, ISFJs’ attention to detail and organizational skills can make them well-suited for careers in finance. They may excel as accountants, bookkeepers, or financial analysts.
Administrative assistants: ISFJs are often very organized and enjoy helping others, making them well-suited for administrative roles. They may excel as executive assistants, office managers, or in similar positions.
Service industry roles: ISFJs enjoy careers that allow them to use their attention to detail and sensory awareness. They may excel as chefs, bartenders, or in customer service roles where they can provide a high level of personal attention and care to their customers.

ISFJs may struggle in careers that require them to take risks or make quick decisions without much time for deliberation. They may also find careers that require extensive public speaking or networking to be challenging, as they prefer to work behind the scenes and avoid the spotlight.

ISFJs in the workplace

ISFJs in the workplace are highly valued for their dependability, frugality, and attention to detail. They are willing to work long hours and are willing to take on thankless tasks that others may overlook. However, they may become resentful if their contributions and economies are taken for granted, causing them to experience feelings of bottled-up emotion that can cause undeserved suffering.

ISFJs are highly organized and have a strong desire to see rules and regulations enforced. They have a strong sense of morality and tend to be preoccupied with ensuring that everyone is treated fairly and with respect. ISFJs are keenly aware of the social order and hierarchy and believe in upholding custom and convention. They have a deep respect for authority and are often attracted to executive positions.

While they may not actively seek out leadership positions, their interpersonal skills and work ethic lend themselves well to managing others in a warm and approachable manner. They create an environment where their employees feel valued and appreciated for their hard work. Moreover, as team members, they enjoy close-knit and supportive teams, where they can express their altruistic spirit. They are highly cooperative and work well with others to implement their goals.

ISFJs in their relationships

ISFJs are devoted to their partners and families, and are often excellent homemakers. With a strong sense of duty, they take great pride in creating a welcoming and attractive home. They manage household tasks very well, such as providing nourishing meals, shopping, minor repairs, and maintaining a daily routine of cleanliness, tidiness, and order. Female ISFJs in particular, often display their talent for creating a traditional and inviting home interior.

ISFJs are very devoted and loyal in their relationships. They take their commitments seriously and are willing to put in the effort required to maintain a healthy and loving partnership. ISFJs may struggle with expressing their emotions verbally and often show their affection through acts of service, like preparing a meal for their partner, doing their share of chores or anything that would make their partner’s life more comfortable. They are highly attentive to their partner’s needs, owing to their auxiliary Fe, and are willing to make all kinds of sacrifices to support them. However, the tendency to put their partner’s needs before their own can sometimes lead to issues in the relationship, and they may express their suppressed frustration in the form of resentment or stubbornness.

ISFJs parents are attentive to their children’s emotional and physical needs, and strive to create a stable and supportive home environment. They also tend to be very traditional in their approach to parenting. They often have strong values and beliefs about what is right and wrong, and they pass these values on to their children. ISFJs may be strict when it comes to discipline, but they do so out of a desire to instill in them a sense of responsibility and respect for authority.

In conclusion, the ISFJ personality type embodies a unique set of traits that make them invaluable members of any team or community. With their exceptional organizational skills and attention to detail, they possess a rare ability to manage complex situations with ease and grace. Their innate sense of compassion and desire to provide for others makes them natural caregivers, always going above and beyond to ensure everyone’s needs are met. By continuing to develop their strengths and embrace their natural tendencies, individuals with the ISFJ personality type can achieve great success and make a profound impact in the world.

How To Find Your True MBTI Type

Are you curious about your personality type and how it influences your thoughts, feelings, and behaviors? One popular tool for understanding personality is the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI), which is based on the theory of cognitive functions developed by Carl Jung. If you’re interested in learning more about your MBTI type, there are several different ways to do so. In this article, we’ll explore some of the most common methods, including taking an online personality assessment, working with a qualified practitioner, and taking the official MBTI assessment.

Here is a summary of some of the most common methods, along with some pros and cons of each:

Taking an online personality assessment: One of the most popular and convenient ways to determine your MBTI type is to take an online personality assessment. There are many free and paid options available, such as 16Personalities and PersonalityPerfect.

Pros: Convenient and easily accessible; can be completed in a short amount of time; often provides detailed feedback about strengths and potential career paths.
Cons: May not be as reliable or valid as more formal assessments; results may be influenced by self-perception and self-awareness.
Working with a qualified practitioner: Another option is to work with a qualified practitioner, such as a psychologist or career counselor, who is trained in administering and interpreting the MBTI. To find a qualified practitioner, you can try searching online directories of psychologists or career counselors in your area, or you can contact professional organizations such as the American Psychological Association (https://www.apa.org/) or the National Career Development Association (https://www.ncda.org/) for recommendations.

Some pros of working with a qualified practitioner include:
- Personalized feedback: A qualified practitioner can provide more personalized and in-depth feedback about your personality type, as they are able to take into account your unique experiences and background.
- Reliability: Working with a qualified practitioner may result in more reliable and valid results, as they are trained in administering and interpreting the MBTI.
  
  Some potential cons of working with a qualified practitioner include:
- Cost: Working with a qualified practitioner may be more expensive than taking an online assessment.
- Time and effort: Working with a qualified practitioner may require more time and effort, as it typically involves multiple sessions or meetings.
Taking the official MBTI assessment: The official MBTI assessment is administered by trained professionals and is considered the most reliable and valid measure of personality type.
Pros: Highly reliable and valid; provides detailed feedback about strengths and potential career paths.
Cons: More expensive than online assessments; may require more time and effort to complete.
To sign up for the official test, visit website: https://www.myersbriggs.org/my-mbti-personality-type/take-the-mbti-instrument/
Getting typing service from enthusiasts who specialize in MBTI and typology. This is different from option 2 above in the sense that, many of these people are more of social influencers and celebrities who gain trusts and followers through their social media channels over the years. They tend to not have serious professional qualifications but their services are often cheaper and less time-consuming. It’s recommended that you check out their channels to see whether you like and agree with their content and maybe read the reviews of the other customers.

Some of the well-known channels and people you can check out are Dave and Shannon from Objective Personality, Lindsey Johnson (Lijo), Gray Capen Cietek (Augmented Personality) or Joyce Meng.
Type yourself based on your own understanding of the MBTI.
This might be the more time-consuming option but it’s free given the vast amount of content available online and will tremendously aid you in your personal growth journey through accumulated knowledge in this wonderful system. The simplest form is to understand the cognitive functions and determine which functions you identify with the most. The dominant and auxilarry function will then point you towards the corresponding type.

For a quick guide to understanding the various cognitive functions, click here. To find the corresponding MBTI type for each cognitive function, read here.

Another even better method is to combine your self-knowledge with online test. You can take any of the online test below and see if the description fit you. You can read the description of other types that possibly might fit you better by varying the result you get by 1 or 2 letter depending on whether you think you might be actually different. For example, if your test result is INFP, you might want to check out ENFP, INTP or ISFP etc.

Recommendation of other options for Online MBTI Tests:

16Personalities: 16Personalities is a free online personality assessment tool based on the MBTI theory of personality. It offers a detailed personality report and includes information about an individual’s strengths, weaknesses, and potential career paths. One potential drawback of 16Personalities is that it is based on self-report and may not be as reliable or valid as the official MBTI assessment. Website: https://www.16personalities.com/
PersonalityPerfect: PersonalityPerfect is a free online personality assessment tool that is based on the MBTI theory of personality. It offers a detailed personality report and includes information about an individual’s strengths, weaknesses, and potential career paths. Like 16Personalities, PersonalityPerfect is based on self-report and may not be as reliable or valid as the official MBTI assessment. Website: https://www.personalityperfect.com
Typefinder: Typefinder is an online personality assessment tool that is based on the MBTI theory of personality. It is not free, but it is widely available through a network of qualified practitioners and licensed organizations. Typefinder is a reliable and valid measure of personality type and is widely used in a variety of settings. One potential drawback of Typefinder is that it is based on self-report, so the results may be influenced by an individual’s level of self-awareness and self-perception. Website: https://www.typefinder.com/

Ultimately, the best way to determine your MBTI type will depend on your personal preferences, needs, and budget. Each of the methods discussed in this article has its own pros and cons, so it’s important to consider your goals and resources when deciding which option is best for you. Whether you choose to take an online assessment, work with a qualified practitioner, or take the official MBTI assessment, you can gain valuable insights into your personality and how it influences your life.

Are You A Thinker Or Feeler?

Can I ask if you are left-handed or right-handed? The chance is you are a right-handed person, because it is the majority of our population. How do you know that you are right-handed? It is a very obvious question almost without a need to explain. If we need to break down the reasons, there are three ways you know that your type is a right-handed: 1) The frequency of you using your right hand in a day is higher than your left and 2) Your right hand feels a lot more natural and real and 3) Your right hand will objectively be better at handling heavier objects or more complex tasks.

That is how you should think about your opposing function of Thinking and Feeling as well. Do keep the above ideas of left and right hand in mind as we further learn about the true definition of Thinking and Feeling in Jungian psychology.

If you are a visual learner, you can also follow this video below:

The definitions

Besides Introversion and Extroversion, Thinking and Feeling are the second dimension in analytical psychology (the third dimension is Intuition versus Sensing). These concepts were first introduced in the early 20th century by Carl Gustav Jung (1875 – 1961), a famous Swiss psychiatrist who developed the idea of Psychological Types, the precursor to the extremely popular Myers Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) test and framework.

My philosophy for Our Human Minds have always been to adhere as much as possible to the original understanding and work of Carl Jung to help readers understand accurately the cognitive functions. It is a longer path, but trust me, it is more rewarding and surer way to achieve more accurate self-understanding than purely taking the online test and read the descriptions of the 16 MBTI personalities!

Unlike left and right hand, Thinking and Feeling preferences in analytical psychology are more distinct, serving very different purposes. Your two hands do not oppose each other, but Thinking and Feeling do by definition. Hence, being aware of them and knowing how to develop your weaker function and learn to make them synchronize holds the potential for not only more productivity but also psychological maturity and wholeness.

The definition of “Thinking” and “Feeling” in Jungian psychology are easily confused with the more layman definitions that we use in our daily languages. They should not be confused with logic versus emotion. You need to understand them in a more fundamental way, that they are evaluative & rational processes to judge incoming information, whether something is right or wrong, good and bad…

Thinking and Feeling aim to clearly distinguish between the two distinct preferences for decision-making: impersonal versus personal/interpersonal respectively. The easiest way to visualize this difference is in the common stereotype between men versus women in our society. Men are known to prefer to “solve problems” and break down problems “logically” while on the other hand, women simply want to be listened to, to be empathized and understood.

Thinkers (both men and women) prefer to solve problems objectively

While this is a stereotype, indeed, some of the surveys have shown that there is a slight preference (55%) among men for Thinking and a strong preference (75%) of women who have a Feeling preference. How much of this is the surveyed individuals’ true preferences and how much is a result of social expectation & conditioning, is for another debate. However, I would like to add that based on this survey, thinking that all men are or have to be super logical or women have to be relationship-oriented is a gross simplification and unfair treatment to both sexes.

To break it down further, thinking manifests itself as preference for using objective and measurable frameworks for clear-cut decision making. It is about using objective criteria, conceptual frameworks, pros and cons, structures, logical systems… People with Thinking preference value and take pride in being efficient, precise, goal and task-oriented. Something is good if it is placed in the right category, gives better measurable results, more efficient etc.

On the other hand, Feeling places stronger emphasis on human’s welfare, values and preferences. As an introverted function, it’s about knowing a strong moral sense of right and wrong, of feeling an urge to help the less fortunate, to be humanitarian, to overcome unfairness and restore equality. Extroverted version is about about maintaining a harmonious atmosphere (when hosting a house party for example), making sure common pleasantries and “civilized” etiquettes are adhered to, while making sure everyone has a good time.

	Thinking	Feeling
Definition	Impersonal evaluation	Interpersonal and value-based decision-making
Related concepts	objective criteria, pros and cons, measurable results, conceptual frameworks, logical systems	values, morality, harmony, personal preferences, gut feels of right and wrong

Quick Exercise : What is your true preference based on the above definition?
You might need to think about when you are younger or in a more comfortable place at home without any stress of work or “have to” pressure. Social expectation and work stresses might force us to over-compensate to the point of losing sight of who we truly are, like Feeling men are often expected to appear logical and tough, or your jobs have required you to develop your weaker function, even if in your younger years you are the opposite.

Develop Thinking

This section is more relevant for Feeler who has a natural strength in making decisions based on personal values or harmony, but as a result, devoting less consciousness energy in using systemic/impersonal perspectives. We will look at concrete steps that you can take to gradually build up confidence in using the skills and become more holistic in decision making.

Playing a big part of your ego, Feeling – the preference for using value and personal-preference based approach, is part of your identity. The cause that you care about, friends and family, the social connection and status that represent your deepest conviction and meaning of life, are valid. As much as it’s important to acknowledge the other side of the equation, in the end, Thinking should serve in a supporting role and not to dominate your preference for personal values or interpersonal harmony.

Just like this two-people bike, you should let your dominant function to take the lead and guide the other function, not the other way round!

The development of your weaker functions and achieving wholeness is a life-long quest, so the instruction below serves as a general direction and examples of the kind of steps you can take to develop Thinking.

Remember that the basic definition of Thinking is the use of impersonal systems, framework and measurable results and data. Hence, you can:

Learn from someone close to you who is strong in Thinking like your family members or colleagues. Talk to them more or reflect on the time you guys spend time together. Learn about how they conduct themselves differently, understand why they do it and see if you can learn and integrate some of their techniques or philosophy.
Develop interests in activities that require strong impersonal reasoning and decision making such as chess, finance, computer games…
Integrate productivity tools such as planner, calendar, deadlines and KPIs clearly for both personal work and managing others.
Take courses, read books, watch videos… on productivity, time and project management.
Learn to say No. It’s very natural for Feeler to go with the flow and say yes to keep harmony. Saying No doesn’t mean being harsh or rude if you can explain yourself clearly. It doesn’t have to be black and white either, you can also negotiate what you’d like to do and what you cannot do or you feel is not fair. It’s hard at first, but it’s an essential skill that will go a long way!

Knowing other ways to develop your Thinking side that can help other readers? Feel free to comment below!

Develop Feeling

This is more relevant to Thinking dominant type. Again, it’s important that you acknowledge and embrace your identity as a Thinker and develop Feeling as a support for a more holistic decision making process. Your Thinking function should still be in the driver seat!

Find friends, family or colleagues who you know well and you are fairly certain they are stronger in Feeling. Get to know them more and reflect on how they conduct things differently and see whether you can integrate some of their physiology and methods to your daily life.
Engage in reflective activities like meditation, arts, writing… to reflect on your values and what’s important to you. Remember, it’s a gradual process that requires patience and regular practices.
Engage in social activities and roles that you have to interact more with people. Recognise some of your biases and see it from a more positive light when it comes to social relationships.
Immerse yourself in nature, away from distraction of work and technology, to hear and embrace your inner voices, values and feelings.

Are you a Thinker that has other ways that work? Feel free to share below.

I hope you now have a clearer understanding of the distinction between these rational dimensions of Thinking versus Feeling. In reality, these two preferences never exist as standalone in a healthy person’s psyche but work in tandem. But since they are mutually exclusive/cancelling out, it’s natural to prioritize and put your conscious energy into one while “send to exile” the other, giving little conscious energy to nourish and maintain it.

If possible, you should learn further about how Introversion and Extroversion are combined with Thinking and Feeling to give rise to 4 distinct Cognitive Processes/Functions: Introverted Thinking, Extroverted Thinking, Introverted Feeling and Extroverted Feeling. This breakdown will bring in a whole new level of depth and opportunities for self-understanding and development. Good luck!

References

Type Fundamentals Guide @mbti-notes

Psychological types by CG. Jung

Why Does Your MBTI Make You A Late Bloomer

Source: truity.com

Let’s face it, even in the 21st century, what society defines as success is still very much materialistic. Whether someone is considered to do well in life depends on how high is his or her earning, his material possession and other status symbols including having (attractive) romantic partners.

The average income chart above by MBTI types portray a perspective of success. The highest earners on average are ENTJ and ESTJ while the lowest earners are INFP and ISFP. Overall, higher scores on extraversion (E), thinking (T), sensing (S) and judging (J) better predict financial success.

The reason that I phrase this article as “late bloomer” is because even though there is no survey that I know of, I do believe the material gap between types will lessen as people become more mature and balanced. The second reason is that even if the gap is still there, you will better accept who you are and the non-material and non-traditional sense of success that you create, which will give you better self-confidence and happiness down the road.

Introversion

There has been a rising support for the power of the introvert in the past decades with many books and articles that talk about the hidden advantage of being an introvert. They might be stereotyped as wallflowers who are meek and easily pushed over.

The truth is that introverts are not the minority. They are almost equal in the share of population as extroverts and introversion and shyness are not the same, though they can be easily mistaken. Introversion simply means the information processing pathway is longer and consumes more energy. Hence, introverts tend to think more and are easily overwhelmed by external stimuli.

It’s easy to see how introversion leads you to become a late bloomer. Life is tough and complicated at the start. You can be overwhelmed by the world when younger and it will take longer for introverts to consolidate and master this wave of insights and nuances in their brilliant but overwhelming minds.

Not only can introverts catch up with extroverts later in life in material success, their insightful minds allow them to excel in highly skilled and specialized careers such as writer, scientist and philosopher. These careers might not be the best paid, but they have the potential to be highly celebrated and to propel society forward.

FEELING

If your type has letter F instead of T, you lean more towards feeling, which has to do with either intrapersonal or interpersonal relationships than efficiency and logic (T).

Feeling can either be introverted or so-called intrapersonal (Fi) (most dominant in INFP and ISFP) or extraverted/interpersonal (Fe) (which is dominant in ENFJ and ESFJ). Introverted feeling will likely have it the hardest at younger age because it is very hard to express and easily misunderstood. It is primarily concerned with moral right and wrong, living authentically and freely according to their inner compass of beauty.

This inward feeling may make you artistic yet impractical because deep down you yearn to express something of profound beauty but also makes you unable to take on more practical tasks and jobs, which feels inauthentic to your being. It will take time and sometimes luck to find a path that is both spiritually fulfilling yet lucrative. Introverted feelers like ISFP and INFP make the best artists and poets but their path will be long and rocky.

Extraverted feeling users, especially introverted ones (INFJ and ISFJ) would also feel under par because they find it hard to assert themselves and risk upsetting others. This function chiefly concerns maintaining a harmonious social atmosphere, causing you to feel it hard to just simply put people aside to get what you want. But humans are ultimately social creatures and being able to get on the good sides of the group often can take you far ahead, including in your finance and career.

INTUITION

I believe the Intuitive (N) – Sensing (S) dimension is the most interesting yet often overlooked in MBTI. Only about 25-30% of the population are intuitive, so they are way more rare than introverts! You can think of the intuitive-oriented person simply as a nerdy book-smart kind of person who is more interested in philosophy and theories than concrete facts and actions.

Intuitives, especially INFP, INTP, ENFP and ENTP (extraverted intuition) are often scattered-brain big-pictured people who have a hard time being decisive. To them the world is full of possibilities where traditional and well-accepted concepts like marriage, houses, children and even money should be questioned and explored.

With so much information and so many questions being shifted and synthesized, no wonder it takes longer for them to reach a stable stage in life. They make for smart students but somewhat clueless and restless young or even middle-aged adults while their sensing-dominant peers have happily accepted and settled into more traditional paths and roles.

However, the gift of this unconventional and big-picture mindset is the potential for paradigm shifting and holistic perspectives. Survey might suggest that intuitives earn slightly less than sensors but one reason is because the former takes longer to synthesize their perspectives, which can go beyond the immediate needs of themselves and families to challenge the status quo and propel society’s understanding forward. They make for wise and profound innovators and teachers of arts, philosophy and sciences.

So in conclusion, even if you are at the receiving end of all the disadvantaged factors above, like even in the case of INFP and ISFP, don’t be discouraged. Your mind is uniquely created for a special purpose with unique strengths and values. Of course life is tough for everyone and everyone needs a certain degree of material and practical success, but social contribution and your path to success are just not in a traditional sense. Your life purpose might be more towards helping others or helping society make new breakthroughs or to find the secrets of the universe, at the expense of the practical aspects – and that is ok!