INFJ: Characteristics, Challenges and Potentials of the Psychological Type

INFJ is an acronym that represents one of the 16 personality types described by the MBTI (Myers-Briggs Type Indicator), which is nothing more than a widely used psychological assessment tool.

What does INFJ mean?

The acronym represents personality types that can directly influence people's daily lives in different areas.

So follow what the acronym means:

I (Introvert): INFJs have an introspective tendency, so they focus more on their inner world.

Therefore, they tend to have a tendency towards their own reflections and ideas and generally prefer individual or small group activities.

N (Intuition): INFJs are usually guided by their intuitions, that is, they trust their subjective perceptions and impressions more than concrete data.

F (Feelings): INFJ people are empathetic and sensitive to the emotions of those around them.

In this way, they seek to understand other people's feelings to help them.

J (Judgment): INFJs have an organized lifestyle, which leads them to value order a lot and they also have a natural inclination to make immediate decisions.

In general, INFJ people are known primarily as “advisors” and “advocates.”

They have a deep understanding of human emotions and are often described as compassionate and caring.

Although they are known for their reserved nature, they are good listeners and are usually motivated by their values and ideals.

However, it is important to remember that the MBTI brings a theory that each person is unique, therefore, individual characteristics can vary within the same personality type.

What are the main characteristics and personality traits of the INFJ?

As we mentioned above, INFJ people have different characteristics and personalities.

Therefore, follow some of the main characteristics associated with this type of personality:

Sensitivity and empathy: They usually put themselves in other people's shoes, and make an effort to understand and help the people around them.
Intuition and vision of the future: They generally trust their intuition and have the ability to anticipate possibilities and consequences.
Idealism and personal values: INFJs are driven by their purpose and values, which they hold strong conviction in.
Reserved and introverted: They are introverted by nature and often the best way to process their thoughts and emotions is by being alone.
Complex and deep reasoning: Another characteristic of the INFJ is their complex mind and deep thoughts and reflections.
Organization and planning: Although they are intuitively driven, INFJs highly value order and often have a plan or schedule in mind.

4 Cognitive Functions of the INFJ

INFJs have 4 main cognitive functions used to process information and make decisions. Here are what they are:

Introversion

This is the dominant function of the INFJ person, so they tend to gain energy by directing their attention inward.

Intuition

As a secondary function, intuition makes the INFJ person future-oriented, aiming to anticipate results.

Feeling

The third cognitive function is feeling, which is accompanied by empathy, in this way the INFJ prioritizes harmony and seeks to establish healthy and genuine relationships.

Judgment

Judgment refers to the ability to make decisions promptly, as well as organizing tasks and completing them.

It is important to note that the INFJ's four cognitive functions work together, however introversion and intuition are considered dominant and secondary functions.

Feeling and judgment are considered tertiary and inferior functions.

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INFJ Strengths and Potentials

There are several strengths and potentials that make INFJs stand out, so find out what some of them are.

Empathy and understanding;
Vision of the future;
Creativity and imagination;
Persistence and dedication;
Emotional intelligence;
Inspirational leadership;
Vocational guidance;
Positive influence;
Personal development, among others.

What are the main challenges faced by INFJs?

You may notice that INFJ people can be highly sensitive, mainly due to introspection.

This can lead to emotional overload and difficulty establishing healthy boundaries in different areas of life.

Therefore, follow some suggestions to deal with these challenges on a daily basis:

Relationships:

Set limits

It is important to recognize your own needs and learn to say no when necessary.

Open communication

Communicate your emotional needs openly and honestly with the people you spend most time with and ask for their understanding and support.

Career:

Self-exploration

It is important that you take the time to understand your interests, values and skills and then identify the areas that are aligned with your principles.

Seek professional support

It's worth considering working with a career coach to help you identify careers that are right for your INFJ personality.

Self-care:

Practice self-care regularly

Read a book, meditate, exercise, invest in pleasurable activities that relax and bring satisfaction.

Create a routine

Establishing a routine that involves moments of rest, self-care and leisure is important to take care of your physical and emotional health.

Emotional balance:

Practice self-reflection

Reflect on your own emotions and identify triggers, so you can develop strategies to deal with emotional stress.

Find healthy ways to deal with emotions

Dealing with emotions is not always an easy task, so look for alternatives such as writing a diary, meditate, talk to a friend or therapist.

However, it is important to remember that each INFJ is unique and may face different challenges.

Therefore, try to do a self-assessment to find a balance and adapt our suggestions to your individual needs.

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Self-development and personal growth

We have listed above some practical suggestions that can directly help the INFJ to explore their potential and promote personal growth, such as:

Self-exploration and self-knowledge;
Search for purposes and passions;
Development of interpersonal skills;
Search for balance;
Continuous learning, among others.

Therefore, it is interesting to always seek development, in this way there are some resources that can help this development.

Just like the platform Meetup, where you can find communities to help you discover yourself related to INFJ.

Among other options there are readings, groups, communities and even psychotherapy and counseling.

Conclusion

INFJ people are unique and have different characteristics and personality traits that value deep relationships, so they have a natural ability for empathy.

Although they have positive characteristics, they face great challenges when it comes to establishing healthy boundaries, emotional overload and communication.

Therefore, if you identify as an INFJ, be sure to take advantage of our tips for good development and professional and personal success.

Therefore, follow our tips and seek self-knowledge and growth.

Given that May 29, 2023

Development