Santosha
New member
- Joined
- Feb 1, 2011
- Messages
- 1,516
- MBTI Type
- HUMR
- Enneagram
- 6
- Instinctual Variant
- sx
So in many of the personality descriptions, I've seen it noted that the NFP values authenticity and genuine behavior immensely. And I find this so true. It kinda got me thinking about a party last weekend, and all the social interaction I encountered and observed. I don't want to say that people are fake, that I am any better than anyone else, but I do percieve a great lack of authenticity in social settings and the work force. I wondered... how might it feel to be behaving in an inauthentic, fake manner.. when someone responds genuinely? Do people that tend to wear these masks feel threatened by it? Do they feel bad? Do they see authentic people as week? Too open or self revealing? Do they even recognize it?
So I started really considering the concept of authenticity. The word itself seems to have debateable meaning.. be more of a perception.. "I perceive this person is not telling me what they really think or feel, that they are giving me a line of bullshit". And in this overly corporate world.. I can see how people might need to put on a mask to function within the system, for I have done it quite a bit myself to keep a job. But what about outside of work? What about friends or family?
Existentialists assert that if an individual is not living authentically in their lives, then they lose meaning and can fall into chronic anxiety, boredom and despair. People might pursue "quick fixes" to avoid the responsibility of living authentically, eg, quick fixes such as anesthetizing themselves with alcohol or drugs, living in fantasies, etc. Others might even assert that it's inauthentic to pursue any approach (programs, books, etc.) that promises to help people transcend (escape?) the responsibilities -- and sometimes drudgery -- of day-to-day living.
But are some of the above examples not also examples of NFP behavior? "Anesthetizing themsevles with alcohol or drugs" or shoes, furniture, travel, food, entertainment, sex, adventure, etc. "living in fantasies" classic NFP.
Look at some of the guidlines to "authentic" behavior
1) Honest -- Speak the truth.
(How many times do we NFP's curtail our true thoughts to avoid hurting people?)
2) Direct -- Speak in terms that are clear, concise and focused.
(This post already demonstrates just how indirect, unclear, unfocused, and inconcise this NFP is =D)
3) About here-and-now -- Speak about what is going on right now.
(I can speak about the here and now, but would much rather speak about the future, and sometimes the past)
4) From you -- Report your own experience of the here-and-now.
(I think I am pretty good with this.. but I find that sometimes others have said it better. I tend to use quotes, metaphors, others words if they can convey more succinctly what I'm trying to)
5) Non-judgmental of others -- Speak about what you are experiencing around others, not of your judgments of others
(The old "your actions are that of a tit-head" vs "You are a tithead" concept. I think its fair to say that NFP's can be very judgemental of aspects of people.. depending on what value was violated)
No specific question.. but curious of your thoughts on authenticity, how you perceive it, and if it is your expereience as an NFP that you tend to be more authentic than the masses? Add whatever you want...
So I started really considering the concept of authenticity. The word itself seems to have debateable meaning.. be more of a perception.. "I perceive this person is not telling me what they really think or feel, that they are giving me a line of bullshit". And in this overly corporate world.. I can see how people might need to put on a mask to function within the system, for I have done it quite a bit myself to keep a job. But what about outside of work? What about friends or family?
Existentialists assert that if an individual is not living authentically in their lives, then they lose meaning and can fall into chronic anxiety, boredom and despair. People might pursue "quick fixes" to avoid the responsibility of living authentically, eg, quick fixes such as anesthetizing themselves with alcohol or drugs, living in fantasies, etc. Others might even assert that it's inauthentic to pursue any approach (programs, books, etc.) that promises to help people transcend (escape?) the responsibilities -- and sometimes drudgery -- of day-to-day living.
But are some of the above examples not also examples of NFP behavior? "Anesthetizing themsevles with alcohol or drugs" or shoes, furniture, travel, food, entertainment, sex, adventure, etc. "living in fantasies" classic NFP.
Look at some of the guidlines to "authentic" behavior
1) Honest -- Speak the truth.
(How many times do we NFP's curtail our true thoughts to avoid hurting people?)
2) Direct -- Speak in terms that are clear, concise and focused.
(This post already demonstrates just how indirect, unclear, unfocused, and inconcise this NFP is =D)
3) About here-and-now -- Speak about what is going on right now.
(I can speak about the here and now, but would much rather speak about the future, and sometimes the past)
4) From you -- Report your own experience of the here-and-now.
(I think I am pretty good with this.. but I find that sometimes others have said it better. I tend to use quotes, metaphors, others words if they can convey more succinctly what I'm trying to)
5) Non-judgmental of others -- Speak about what you are experiencing around others, not of your judgments of others
(The old "your actions are that of a tit-head" vs "You are a tithead" concept. I think its fair to say that NFP's can be very judgemental of aspects of people.. depending on what value was violated)
No specific question.. but curious of your thoughts on authenticity, how you perceive it, and if it is your expereience as an NFP that you tend to be more authentic than the masses? Add whatever you want...