Short Descriptions:

       "Theme is foresight. Use their insights to deal with complexity in issues and people, often with a strong sense of "knowing" before others know themselves. Talents lie in developing and guiding people. Trust their inspirations and visions, using them to help others. Thrive on helping others resolve deep personal and ethical dilemmas. Private and complex, they bring a quiet enthusiasm and industry to projects that are part of their vision." ³

       "Succeed by perseverance, originality, and desire to do whatever is needed or wanted. Put their best efforts into their work. Quietly forceful, conscientious, concerned for others. Respected for their firm principles. Likely to be honored and followed for their clear convictions as to how best to serve the common good." ⁴

       "INFJs take their energy from the inner world of thoughts and ideas. They prefer dealing with patterns and possibilities, particularly for people, and makes decisions using personal values. Their life is organized on a personal basis. They often have a private sense of purpose in life, and works steadily to fulfill that goal. They demonstrate a quiet concern for people, being interested in helping them to develop and grow. They are good at developing insight into people, though it can often remain unexpressed.
       INFJs are future oriented, and direct their insights and inspiration toward the understanding of themselves and thereby human nature. Their work mirrors their integrity, and it needs to reflect their inner ideals. Solitude and an opportunity to concentrate thoroughly on what counts most is important to them. They prefer to quietly exert their influence. They have deeply felt compassion, and they desire harmony with others. They understand the complexities existing within people and among them. They do not call a great deal of attention to themselves, preferring that their contributions speak for them. They are at their best concentrating on their ideas, ideals, and inspirations." ⁵

       "For INFJs the dominant quality in their lives is their attention to the inner world of possibilities, ideas, and symbols. Knowing by way of insight is paramount for INFJs, and they often manifest a deep concern for people and relationships as well. INFJs often have deep interests in creative expression as well as issues of spirituality and human development. While the energy and attention of INFJs are naturally drawn to the inner world of ideas and insights, what people often first encounter with INFJs is their drive for closure and for the application of their ideas to people's concerns." ⁶

       "INFJs direct their energy towards the inner world of thoughts and emotions. They use their imagination to come up with new ideas, possibilities and insights, especially in relation to people and important beliefs. They are often good at developing insight into people, though it can often remain unexpressed." ⁷

       "The theme is foresight. They focus their inner thoughts and visions on helping others. Quietly determined. Concerned for others welfare. Serve the common good. Put creative effort into the product of their work. Natural writers." ⁸

       "Reserved, proper, and cautious at first. Creative, visionary, and complex. Decisive with strong convictions and values. Thoughtful, figurative language. Tips for communicating with INFJ: Present your idea in terms of your vision with an emphasis on the larger goals. Appeal to their creativity. Expect a careful consideration and then an in-depth discussion of ideas." ⁹

The Negative Side of INFJ

       "You over-analyze everything that concerns you or your surroundings. The results of this are often not so satisfying, leaving you feeling depressed and pessimistic, especially if this envelops unethical behavior in others. Your sense of compassion is often stronger than your sense of justice. You often lack resolution, initiative and the ability to firmly make your point. You are afraid to appear interfering and your modesty could be over the top. You often hesitate to react to provocation, preferring to bottle your feelings inside. You are often squeamish and punctilious. You pay too much attention to details and quality in your work." ¹⁰

INFJ Under STRESS

       "The agreeable nature and quiet personality of INFJs makes them particularly vulnerable to hurt feelings. Distress within close relationships can shatter the INFJ. Like all NFs under stress, INFJs feel fragmented and lost as if they are acting out a part rather than simply being themselves. This disassociation can be related to physical symptoms for the INFJ, whether real or imagined. Feeling split off from their physical natures, INFJs may become virtually immobilized by repressed feelings.
       Although INFJs may feel like remaining still and stationary until the chaos and confusion of a stressful situation dissipates, it would be best for them to actively sort out their needs from others. Being excessively cooperative and agreeable, the INFJ has a tendency to adopt values and beliefs of others as their own. When external conflicts grow, so does the INFJ's sense of personal disharmony. Disassociating themselves from others takes a great deal of effort for the INFJ." ¹¹

       "Under extreme stress, INFJs may become obsessed with data they normally would consider irreleant or overindulge in Sensing activities - watching TV reruns, overeating, or buying things that have little meaning for them." ¹²

Stress Management for INFJ (Feeding the Fourth)

       Do activities that require you to ask, "How can I get sensory pleasure from this?" in an objective, meditative manner, such as Natural Splendor