ISFP - Introverted, Sensing, Feeling, Perceiving

"It's The Thought That Counts"
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I am a gentle, caring and sensitive person who keeps much of my intensely personal ideals and values to myself. I more often express my deeply felt passions through actions than through words. 

Modest and reserved, I am really tremendously warm and enthusiastic, but tend not to show that side of myself except with people I know well and trust fully. I tend to be misunderstood because of my tendency not to express myself directly.

I am patient, flexible and easy to get along with and have little need to dominate or control others. I am nonjudgmental and accepting of others behavior in a rather matter-of-fact way. I am observant of people and things around me and do not seek to find motives or meaning.

Because I live completely in the present moment, I do not tend to prepare or plan more than is necessary. A good short-range planner, I am relaxed about getting things done because I am fully engaged in the here and now and like to enjoy the current experience without rushing to the next.

Interested in what I learn and sense directly from my experiences and senses, I am artistic and aesthetic and seeks to create beautiful and personal environments for myself.

Without the need to lead, I am often a loyal follower and a good team member. Because I use my personal values to judge everything in life, I like other people who take the time to get to know me and understand my inner loyalties. Basically trusting and understanding, I need harmonious relationships in my life and am sensitive to conflict and disagreements.

POSSIBLE BLIND SPOTS

My highly sensitive nature allows me to clearly see the needs of other people and I sometimes work so excessively to fulfill those needs that I neglect myself in the process. This can result in my becoming physically ill from exhaustion and overwork. I need to take time out from caring for others to take care of myself.

Because I focus so completely on my experience in the moment, I tend not to look beyond the present and miss the broader view. I sometimes have difficulty understanding things in a more complex context. Because I don’t usually look for or see possibilities that don’t exist at the present time, I don’t tend to prepare in advance. I often have trouble organizing my time and resources. I may have to work hard to curb my impulse to go off and enjoy a quiet moment, or participate in a favorite activity.

I am vulnerable to the criticism of others because I tend to take feedback personally and become offended and discouraged. I may be seen as gullible and too trusting because I accept people and things as they are and don’t expect a malicious motive or read anything else into them. I need to become more assertive about my own needs and consider the implications of other’s behavior. By applying some objectivity and skepticism to my analysis, I can become a better judge of character.

THE 3 MOST IMPORTANT THINGS FOR ME TO FOCUS ON ARE: 

1. Assert myself

2. Step back and consider the "big picture"

3. Don't take things too personally

MY STRENGTHS

-Ability to welcome change and adapt well to new situations
-Sensitivity to people’s needs and desire to help them in real ways
-Practicality and realistic perceptions
-Good common sense -Warmth and generosity
-Loyalty to people and organizations I care deeply about
-Attention to important details, especially those that concern people
-Thoughtfulness and ability to focus on current needs
-Willingness to support an organization’s goals
-Ability to clearly assess current conditions and see what needs fixing
-Flexibility and willingness to take calculated risks and try new approaches

MY WEAKNESSES

-Tendency to accept things at face value and miss deeper implications
-Inability to see opportunities and options that don’t exist at the moment
-Tendency to take criticism and negative feedback very personally
-Dislike of preparing in advance; I have trouble organizing my time
-Trouble making decisions
-Dislike of excessive rules and overly structured bureaucracy
-Difficulty making logical decisions if they conflict with personal feelings
-Unwillingness to risk disharmony to fight for my idea or position
-Tendency to become overwhelmed by large or highly complicated tasks
-Resistance to setting long-term goals and difficulty meeting deadlines
-Difficulty disciplining subordinates or criticizing others



TO DO LIST

-Seek help to resolve any interpersonal conflicts
-Consider taking an assertiveness training class
-Ask supervisors to be clear about their expectations
-Find time during the day to “recharge” by myself
-Do things that allow me to help, support and connect with others
-Try to make sure there is some variety in my daily activities
-Participate in recreational activities
-Seek others with complementary skills to help evaluate my ideas.
-Think about where I want to be 5 years from now.
-Set short-term, achievable goals.
-Try to find others who share similar interests and values

CONSIDER ALL DATA AVAILABLE EVEN IF IT CONTRADICTS MY FEELINGS

-Look at the “hard consequences” of my actions and decisions. List the pros and cons of a job so I am sure to consider both the positive and the potential negative as well
-Develop a method of analyzing information before accepting it at face value

LOOK FOR OPTIONS BESIDES THOSE READILY AVAILABLE AT THE MOMENT

-Generate a list of possible options without limiting myself to what I have done in the past or what I am immediately qualified for.
-Use my ideas of a fantasy job as a springboard to thinking more creatively about work. Ask a friend who knows me well to help me and make it a game.

WORK HARD TO PRIORITIZE MY ACTIVITIES AND KEEP MYSELF ORGANIZED

-Use my skills at short-term planning to get things done and to keep from becoming overwhelmed -Develop a complete outline for my task. Include all the steps that will be necessary along the way.

TRY TO MAKE MORE OBJECTIVE DECISION

-Don’t overemphasize the importance of rapport development. Try to develop some healthy skepticism about others to avoid being too trusting
-Pay attention to the less tangible, but critical important factors, such as the groups philosophy, which will help keep me from becoming disillusioned as you understand the group in more depth.

FOCUS MY ATTENTION ON THE FUTURE TO THE LARGER CONTEXT

-Try imagining myself 1, 5, 10 years from now. Will this opportunity be one that allows me to grow, or will I be limited because of it?
-Look at the opportunity and decide if the direction it is heading will still be acceptable to me in the future. Be sure it isn’t just the people involved that make it appealing for the moment.