I know all about that from personal experience. It's like my thoughts are either amplified or dulled by my emotions. Emotions act like a kind of filter, and it's only when I feel very fired up about a topic that I suddenly find all the right words to say. I guess that's why there are more well-known INFP writers than speakers or actors.



There are theories that explain this common fear amongst INFPs. Have you heard of Beebe's theory meshing archetypes with cognitive types? Well based on his theory, INFPs' extraverting feeling takes on the role of the Opposing Personality in shadow mode. And that might explain some of the hesitation to speak in front of a lot of people. So going back to your original thought about limited jobs for INFPs, I'd have to agree with you in the sense that we are limited by our own psyche when it comes to taking on those regular well-paying jobs.



Well, to be absolutely fair, my friends needed that extra push from extroverts. So a couple of them partnered with ENFJs and ENTPs to get the ball rolling on their small businesses. You know how entrepreneurial, enthusiastic and motivational ENFJs and ENTPs can be.

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To put that in layman's terms, an INFP's primary way of looking at the world is through the filter of their personal, subjective values (Fi, or Introverted Feeling). Beebe's theory reckons that in INFPs Fi's extroverted counterpart - Fe (which essentially boils down to seeing things through the filter of group or collective values) acts in a negative or "shadow" role, undermining our personal values by constantly worrying about how other people will react to them.

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What would the world be, once bereft
Of wet and of wildness? Let them be left,
O let them be left, wildness and wet;
Long live the weeds and the wilderness yet. - Gerard Manley Hopkins

Yes, rosewashed, that's what I meant. Thanks, DC.

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Crystaluniverse:
Haha, what you're saying about emotions acting as a filter for your thoughts is interesting, in fact I think there's a lot to be said for that. It's true that when I get fired up about a topic (like politics or religion) I speak much more easily, probably because I've already organized my thoughts concerning that topic because I'm so interested. I'm naturally more interested in ideas than practical things also, and of course being abstract, ideas will be more difficult to speak about.

But when it really comes down to it, I think I must attribute my problem to, in a sense, my "spaciness." I consider it a big mental/intellectual weakness. I have a focus problem. I have trouble attending to conversation and, I suppose, day-to-day life. My brain doesn't want to be "on," in a sense. It probably fluctuates a bit during the day. Some times I'm much better at concentrating than others. So I rarely attend to something to the extent that my thoughts on it are readily formed.
I've never realized this so fully, but when I spell it out it sounds like I have some biological flaw. Would you know if this is related to introversion?

As for the Beebe's theory (thank you defectivecreative for clarifying), I don't know about worrying how people will react to my values, but I am always wary of how people will react to myself generally and that probably contributes to the problem.

There are probably a number of things that could account for it, but from an MBTI perspective it's probably the combination of introversion and intuition - we can get lost in our own thoughts very easily, and for INFPs those thoughts can often be quite abstract and feeling-toned. It often isn't until something touches on our values that it catches our attention, at which point we can become very focussed indeed.

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What would the world be, once bereft
Of wet and of wildness? Let them be left,
O let them be left, wildness and wet;
Long live the weeds and the wilderness yet. - Gerard Manley Hopkins

Yes, that makes a lot of sense. Very true.

There could be some biological component involved - like a nutritional issue - interacting with some purely cognitive propensities (for instance, you could be a right-brained thinker - your mind wants to get a general impression about something before getting down to the details of it); or it's purely a cognitive matter. My guess is that it's actually more related to extraversion than introversion, especially as INFPs tend to extravert or focus their intuitive function on multiple (abstractions or) ideas, patterns of ideas, and the interrelatedness of those ideas. But you can consider this as a strength too; extraverted intuition enables the mind to churn out creative concepts, innovative solutions, and aha! moments that are very valuable in certain jobs and industries. At its best, the extraverted intuiting mind is able to store more information and make sense of conflicting or disparate ideas, and suddenly, you've grasped the situation much better than anyone else in the room.



Well, I reviewed Beebe's theory on the Opposing Personality archetype and it seems that your hesitation/concern regarding how others will react to yourself in general is one manifestation of extraverted feeling taking on the O P archetype. In contrast to the INFP, I've known ESFJs and ENFJs whose dominant function is extraverted feeling, and they just ooze with confidence when they speak out, as if they just know that whatever they'd say would be accepted by the majority. I guess that's why a lot of teachers are ENFJs and ESFJs, and if INFPs want to teach, they prefer a more private setting - like handling one on one or small group tutorials.

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crystaluniverse: Thanks for the clarification about the extroverted intuition. I should probably look into this more. And I could see nutrition also contributing to it... that's my own fault.
It's funny what you said about it being a strength too, because I was just talking to my dad and he was saying how at work he's always felt odd because of the way he thinks and approaches things (he's also an INFP), but he said also that sometimes he does grasp things better than others.
I'll look up the Beebe's theory, it seems to explain a lot.

"In contrast to the INFP, I've known ESFJs and ENFJs whose dominant function is extraverted feeling, and they just ooze with confidence when they speak out, as if they just know that whatever they'd say would be accepted by the majority."

oh how I envy them!

hahah @ my jobs...
So far I'm onto job # 5 this year.

In a few month's I've been working at the kindergarten for a year now.

It's is very nice. The only uncomfortable chore is the diapers, but other then that it is all fun and games. The kids are all very young, the youngest 1 year old, the oldest 2 and a half year old. It is a very nice age, alot of non-verbal communication, and as such I do quite well :p

Wonder if INFPs are better at non-verbal communication? Anyhoo..

It took some time for me to feel comfortable around the other grown ups, both other then that it has been a unconditional success. The boss tells me I am good at making a comfortable atmosphere, and that is also a good compliment

My contract ends in June, and I've applied at SFO, the norwegian after-school daycare, for the youngest kids who go to school (I think age 5-10), so that might be fun too.

I have definately found the right path.

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Is the cup half-full or half-empty? Neither, the cup is the rightful domain of air,
and water are the imperialistic invader that must be fought by all means neccesary.
Drink it.

I'm a line cook at a restaurant. It can definitely be stressful but constant interaction drags me out of my shell. There is a lot of communication necessary and it has helped my social skills a lot. I'm applying for adult observation at a mental health center right now to try and cut back my hours in the kitchen. My friend's mom runs it and it has paid training and I can make my own hours, which is really interesting and exciting. I love to listen to people's problems and enjoy the challenge of helping them get over the hump, I hope it works out.

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"Censorship is telling a man he can't have a steak just because a baby can't chew it." - Mark Twain

I take life too seriously. All the fun stuff happens up here *points to brain*

I am doing my study in computer field and job also. My current job is in IT company as web designer. And I am happy that I am studying in my right career way.

Sorry, I really couldn't help myself.



I actually am employed (part-time at minimum wage, but a job's a job...), but it'd be snazzy to go to Jobland and find myself a sturdy jobie.