Personal Development and the INFJ Personality Type

The INFJ personality stands for intuitive, feeling and judging. This is an introverted personality type based on the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator for personalities. Part of personal growth is working with your personality type. To truly grow, you must fully understand your behaviors and why you act the way that you do. This personality type, like all others, has a specific set of strengths and weaknesses. When you are growing, you will focus on your weaknesses to turn them into strengths.

Take a look at the article, Personal Growth for the INFP Personality Type

What is the INFJ Personality?

Those with an INFJ personality have a specific set of traits that define their personality and behavior. If you have this personality type, you will recognize the following qualities in yourself:

a)      You always look for a deeper meaning

b)      You are very sensitive and empathetic

c)      You enjoy learning

d)     You sometimes neglect your own needs for your passions

e)      Many people do not know the real you

f)       You are an introvert that can sometimes be extroverted

g)      You are driven by values

h)      You are a complex and deep person who lives simply

i)        You understand and realize your goals

j)        You have terrific insight

k)      You are incredibly loyal

l)        Both accomplishments and personal relationships play into your success

m)    Art makes you happy and fulfilled

INFJ Personality Strengths

Your ability to be very insightful is a major strength with the INFJ personality type. This allows you to relate to all types of people and it gives you a natural sense of empathy. You are persistent and not afraid to work hard to meet your goals. You have impeccable focus and concentration and you always strive to provide your best work no matter what.

While you are an introvert, you can be extroverted when the situation calls for it. This allows you to be a leader because you know when it is time to take charge of a situation. You can be a powerful force with this and the wisdom that is often had by those with this personality. Famous leaders like Mahatma Ghandi is often said to be an INFJ and this played a major role in his ability to lead people and constantly work toward positive change.

INFJ Personality Weaknesses

A major component of personal growth is being able to identify and embrace your weaknesses. Everyone has weaknesses because this is a normal part of life. Your weaknesses can actually serve a positive purpose when they motivate you to correct them so that you can become a better person. While the INFJ personality type tends to have a variety of special gifts and positive personality traits, you must also make yourself aware of the weaknesses.

The degree of the weakness will ultimately depend on the person. In some cases, the weakness does not apply to all people who possess the INFJ personality type. Look at the following list of weaknesses and consider those that apply to you so that you can start to think about making the right changes:

a)      Quickly dismissive of the ideas of others

b)      Judging others

c)      Finding faults in others

d)     Not tolerating other people's weaknesses

e)      Holding grudges

f)       Thinking they are always right

g)      Difficulty communicating feelings and thoughts

h)      Difficulty make decisions under pressure

Strengthening the INFJ Personality Weaknesses

Now that you understand what the common weaknesses are among those with an INFJ personality, take a few minutes and jot down one or two that apply to you. Try and focus on the weaknesses that affect your life the most because these are the ones that you want to start working on first.

Once you recognize your most prominent weaknesses, it will be a lot easier to control them when they occur. For example, if holding grudges is a weakness that you have, if you find yourself holding a grudge, you can confront this head on and choose to let it go.

Now that you better understand your personality, you can embrace your strengths and use these to improve upon your weaknesses. This will take time because personal growth does not happen overnight. Use this information as motivation and do not view your weaknesses as a negative thing. See them as a personal challenge that you will use to become a better and more well-rounded person. Take a little time each day to address your weaknesses and you will soon find that they are becoming stronger. 

- Rosemary Kitchen

Resources

Personality Page. (2014). Portrait of an INFJ. Retrieved on March 9, 2015 from https://www.personalitypage.com/INFJ.html