STEEPED IN A MISTY MORN OF MUSINGS...

*INTJ*

PERSONALITY TYPE

( aka “THE ARCHITECT”)

They say it’s a bit lonely at the top of the 'metaphorical human dump-heap', and being one of the rarest and most advantageously proficient of the personality types, INTJs know this fact like the back of their hand. INTJs form only two percent of the population at large, and women bestowed this rare personality type are particularly exceptional, forming just 0.8% of the human population. Hence, it is often a challenge for them to find like-minded individuals who are capable of keeping up with their relentless intellectualism and chess-like strategies. People with the INTJ personality type are imaginative yet decisive, ambitious yet intensely private, and [true to form] astoundingly curious; as regards the latter, they also make every effort not to frivolously fritter away their precious supply of energy.

Nothing Can Stop the Right

Attitude From Achieving Its Goal

With a natural thirst for knowledge that reveals itself early in life, INTJs are often given the title of “bookworm” as children. While this may be intended as an insult by their peers, they more than likely identify with it and are even proud of it, greatly relishing their broad and deep body of knowledge. Not only that, INTJs thoroughly enjoy sharing what they know, confident in their mastery of their chosen subjects. On the other hand, owing to their Intuitive (N) and Judging (J) traits, they prefer to design and execute a brilliant plan within their field rather than share opinions on what they consider to be “uninteresting distractions'.

“You are not entitled to your opinion. You are entitled to your informed opinion. No one is entitled to be ignorant.”

Harlan Ellison

I don't deserve any credit for turning the other cheek as my tongue is always in it.

Flannery O'Connor

A paradox to most observers, INTJs are able to live by glaring contradictions that nonetheless make perfect sense to them – at least from a purely rational perspective. For example, INTJs are simultaneously the most starry-eyed idealists and the bitterest of cynics, something that seems mutually incongruent. But this is because INTJ types tend to believe that with the proper effort, intelligence and consideration, nothing is impossible, while at the same time believing that people are simply too lazy, short-sighted or self-serving to actually achieve those incredible results. Nonetheless, that skeptical view of reality they possess is unlikely to deter a motivated INTJ from achieving a result they believe to be relevant and/or important.

In Matters Of Principle, [They] Stand Like a Rock

INTJs radiate self-confidence and an aura of mystery, and their insightful observations, unique ideas and formidable logic enable them to execute 'changes' simply through sheer willpower and force of personality. At times it will seem that INTJs are hell-bent on deconstructing and rebuilding every idea and organization they come into contact with, all the while employing a sense of perfectionism and even an aspect of morality toward this effort. Anyone who doesn’t have the aptitude to keep up with INTJs’ keen mental abilities, or worse yet, doesn’t see the point of them, is likely to both immediately and permanently lose their respect.

This world is but a canvas to our imagination.

Henry David Thoreau

RECOGNIZING AN INTJ

INTJs are typically reserved and serious, and seem to spend a lot of time thinking. They are curious about the world around them and often want to know the principle behind what they see. They thoroughly examine the information they receive, and if asked a question, will typically consider it at length before presenting a careful, complex answer. INTJs think critically and clearly, and often have an idea about how to do something more efficiently. They can be blunt in their presentation, and often communicate in terms of the larger strategy, leaving out the messy details.

Although INTJs aren’t usually warm or particularly gregarious, they tend to have a self-assured manner with people and this is based on their own security in their innate intelligence. They relate their ideas with self-assurance, and once they have arrived at a conclusion they wholly expect others to see the astuteness and wisdom of their perceptions. Typically, they are perfectionists and appreciate an environment of intellectual challenge. They enjoy discussing interesting ideas, and may get themselves into trouble because of their take-no-prisoners attitude: if someone’s beliefs don’t make logical sense, the Mastermind of the INTJ usually has no qualms about pointing that out.

Famous INTJs include Hillary Clinton, Al Gore, Bill Gates, Dwight Eisenhower, Alan Greenspan, Ulysses S. Grant, Stephen Hawking, John Maynard Keynes, Ayn Rand, Isaac Asimov, Lewis Carroll, Cormac McCarthy, and Sir Isaac Newton.

POPULAR HOBBIES

Popular hobbies for the INTJ include reading, travel, cultural events, taking classes, appreciating art, computers and video games, and independent sports such as swimming, backpacking, hiking or running marathons.

HOW THE EXPERTS WEIGH IN...

"INTJs are the most independent of all the sixteen types and take more or less conscious pride in that independence."

- Isabel Briggs Myers, Gifts Differing

"Difficulties are highly stimulating to INTJs, who love responding to a problem that requires a creative solution."

- David Keirsey, Please Understand Me II

"Their capacity for intellectual and conceptual clarity gives INTJs both vision and the will to see it through to completion—leadership qualities that are prized in our society."

- Otto Kroeger, Type Talk at Work