[NT] The Unfulfilled Potential of the NT

[Ezra]

"Rationals are very scarce, comprising as little as 5 to 10 percent of the population. But because of their drive to unlock the secrets of nature, and to develop new technologies, they have done much to shape our world." Source

I haven't shaped our world recently - have you?

As an ENTJ, I'm feeling inferior right now. If I was an ENTP or an INTJ or INTP I might be more lenient with myself, but right now, I'm mediocre. I'm studying philosophy at a pretty good uni (but not one of the best) - Manchester, I'll probably graduate with a low-to-medium 2:1 all the while I watch my peers around me succeeding, many of whom are most certainly not NTs, and yet they're on for Firsts and high 2:1s. I've done a bit of extracurricular on the side, like Officers Training Corps - although my role was nothing special; almost invisible, when really I should have taken the leadership roles naturally, surely? I did a bit of Quaker stuff where I flourished a bit more (maybe because Quakerism is in my family whereas the military isn't). I don't work, even though I'm in a stupid amount of debt. I probably won't find a job after I graduate - a job with prospects and a decent salary, and if I'm in the special 5-10% of the population, should I not at this moment be flying high with a great career lined up for me?

The thing is, it's not like I'm working towards anything. I don't even have the desire to. What the FUCK has happened.

Please, someone, preferably an ENTJ, tell me they also went from mediocre to good in ten to twenty years, or I might just end up failing to see the point of working at all.

 

[Shaunward]

Well, first you should understand typologies are not absolute. They are a way of categorizing people based on generalizations, then analysing those generalizations as bundles. Just like say, articles of clothing are mass produced in various types, typology is a quick and easy method based off generalities. A tailor-made analysis might not conform to generally accepted trends. Don't depend on your typology to be entirely accurate.

That being said, I didn't have a job until after I graduated. While doing my undergrad, I was a professor's assistant of economics. After the contract expired, professors wanted me to go for my PhD and become a professor myself. I felt more ambitious than that, so I decided not to. Shortly after graduating, I found I had familial connections to influential people. By luck and networking, eventually the opportunity came to me to become an investment banker. I jumped for it.

Personality doesn't necessarily tell us when or what opportunities are going to come. Personality, I think, determines in large part what decision you will take when the opportunities do appear.

You simply haven't had any opportunity that you like yet. No need to be shamed for that. Just keep an eye open.

 

[Litvyak]

5-10% of the population = 340 - 680 000 000 people

If all of them would constantly want to save the world with their brilliant new ideas, we'd be living in hell.

 

[highlander]

"Rationals are very scarce, comprising as little as 5 to 10 percent of the population. But because of their drive to unlock the secrets of nature, and to develop new technologies, they have done much to shape our world." Source

I haven't shaped our world recently - have you?

As an ENTJ, I'm feeling inferior right now. If I was an ENTP or an INTJ or INTP I might be more lenient with myself, but right now, I'm mediocre. I'm studying philosophy at a pretty good uni (but not one of the best) - Manchester, I'll probably graduate with a low-to-medium 2:1 all the while I watch my peers around me succeeding, many of whom are most certainly not NTs, and yet they're on for Firsts and high 2:1s. I've done a bit of extracurricular on the side, like Officers Training Corps - although my role was nothing special; almost invisible, when really I should have taken the leadership roles naturally, surely? I did a bit of Quaker stuff where I flourished a bit more (maybe because Quakerism is in my family whereas the military isn't). I don't work, even though I'm in a stupid amount of debt. I probably won't find a job after I graduate - a job with prospects and a decent salary, and if I'm in the special 5-10% of the population, should I not at this moment be flying high with a great career lined up for me?

The thing is, it's not like I'm working towards anything. I don't even have the desire to. What the FUCK has happened.

Please, someone, preferably an ENTJ, tell me they also went from mediocre to good in ten to twenty years, or I might just end up failing to see the point of working at all.

What are you passionate about?

 

[Ezra]

That being said, I didn't have a job until after I graduated. While doing my undergrad, I was a professor's assistant of economics. After the contract expired, professors wanted me to go for my PhD and become a professor myself. I felt more ambitious than that, so I decided not to. Shortly after graduating, I found I had familial connections to influential people. By luck and networking, eventually the opportunity came to me to become an investment banker. I jumped for it.

Personality doesn't necessarily tell us when or what opportunities are going to come. Personality, I think, determines in large part what decision you will take when the opportunities do appear.

You simply haven't had any opportunity that you like yet. No need to be shamed for that. Just keep an eye open.

While I agree with what you say on the whole, consider the fact that while you were an undergrad you had opportunity waiting to reveal itself to you. I do not even have the potential for opportunity right now. You had influential connections. I don't have anything like that.

5-10% of the population = 340 - 680 000 000 people

If all of them would constantly want to save the world with their brilliant new ideas, we'd be living in hell.

Haha, good point.

What are you passionate about?

Nothing really. I love listening to music, reading, watching films or quality TV series, drinking and socialising. But when it comes to having a hobby or interest, I lack a passion.

ETA: I suppose you could call typology a passion, based on my desire to understand the way in which people work. However, the more I learn, the more I realise that it's essentially impossible to categorise people and that there are so many flaws in typing systems that I'm unsure whether it's even worth having them or not.

 

[Shaunward]

While I agree with what you say on the whole, consider the fact that while you were an undergrad you had opportunity waiting to reveal itself to you. I do not even have the potential for opportunity right now. You had influential connections. I don't have anything like that.

Most of the time beforehand, I wasn't aware of such things either.

Your self-esteem needs building. Go sleep with a really hot chick or something.

 

[Ezra]

Most of the time beforehand, I wasn't aware of such things either.

Your self-esteem needs building. Go sleep with a really hot chick or something.

I've done that already, twice (the first wasn't really hot). Then she had an abortion and it fucked everything up.

And I'm in love with someone now.

And my self-esteem is fine thank you.

 

[Shaunward]

You seem so gloomy and unenergetic about the future. It's typically the opposite of ENTJs, so my best guess was self-esteem. Maybe something it bothering you and eating you up from the inside. I don't know. How long have you been like this?

 

[Ezra]

You seem so gloomy and unenergetic about the future. It's typically the opposite of ENTJs, so my best guess was self-esteem. Maybe something it bothering you and eating you up from the inside. I don't know. How long have you been like this?

Since I started taking ketamine and mephedrone probably. I stopped mid-December, but I think they've fucked me up in some way. I am much more apathetic than I used to be.

Also since I've fallen in love, my career plans have basically just disappeared. I'm not as motivated to go to law school (although I'm still applying). I've gone to all the open evenings at the firms and at the different law schools. I know the step I need to take is to now write speculatively to firms for internships to show initiative and interest in their particular firm, to gain some legal experience (of which I haven't any). But for some reason I can't make that step.

 

[Shaunward]

Since I started taking ketamine and mephedrone probably. I stopped mid-December, but I think they've fucked me up in some way. I am much more apathetic than I used to be.

Also since I've fallen in love, my career plans have basically just disappeared. I'm not as motivated to go to law school (although I'm still applying). I've gone to all the open evenings at the firms and at the different law schools. I know the step I need to take is to now write speculatively to firms for internships to show initiative and interest in their particular firm, to gain some legal experience (of which I haven't any). But for some reason I can't make that step.

You sound almost depressed. I would consult a professional.

 

[Valiant]

Used to be an ENTJ, but I decided for INTJ.
I have a sense that i'm meant for something big, and i'm good at most things I do, but I have no drive to do anything whatsoever. I just want to read and have the essentials and some comfort in my life.
Do as little as possible.

I aspired to be an army officer once, but my knee got busted on an obstacle course fluke accident so that kind of ruined my life dream.
I've been thinking recently of becoming a gunsmith, because knee or not, I love guns and I am good at it both in theory and practice.

I'm writing a book, but it's kind of slow right now. Me and my INFP now ex just broke up and there are lots of other annoying disturbances messing up my focus and inspiration.
Right now, I mostly feel like sleeping with as many people in as short a time as possible and drink a lot.

You're not alone in feeling like some kind of failure

 

[Ezra]

You sound almost depressed. I would consult a professional.

Haha!

I was thinking I was depressed. But I'm not sure I am. I think I'm making it out to be worse than it is haha.

 

[Shaunward]

If you can, seek professional advice. Even if it's not big now, prevention is best.

 

[Ezra]

If you can, seek professional advice. Even if it's not big now, prevention is best.

Yeah well, I have in the last few months been feeling like I've been on a downward spiral.

 

[Ezra]

I just did a test. I'm not depressed at all. I'm just being realistic.

With a failing job market, and an increase in graduates, as a philosophy graduate my prospects are DOG SHITE. This is what's getting to me. I know I'll get a job no matter what. But I want a good job. I'm just not interested enough in my course to do well. Plus I just seem to think I can't get a job and then get a masters. I wanna get the fuck out of academia, it's tiring the shit out of me. Philosophy is the most boring, pointless, useless thing ever.

 

[highlander]

Originally Posted by highlander29
What are you passionate about?

Nothing really. I love listening to music, reading, watching films or quality TV series, drinking and socialising. But when it comes to having a hobby or interest, I lack a passion.

ETA: I suppose you could call typology a passion, based on my desire to understand the way in which people work. However, the more I learn, the more I realise that it's essentially impossible to categorise people and that there are so many flaws in typing systems that I'm unsure whether it's even worth having them or not.

Nah. You just need to find something you're interested in.

 

[ThatGirl]

I just did a test. I'm not depressed at all.

Lol!


So uhhhh.....* awkwardly looks around*.......

Yeah I have been the same way at times, but not because what I was doing didn't matter enough, but that I understood it wasn't as good as it could, should, be. I tend to be my own worst enemy in that way.

The only thing that gets me out of it, is results. Seeing that the efforts I am putting in are doing something, anything. So long as things are moving, I do not think too much about such things.

Id say it is probably a sense of stagnation, boredom, to much put into the maintenance of life without the result of growing. I suggest learning new skills and hobbies on the side. One thing is bound to lead to another, as long as you are doing something that allows you to see little moments of achievement while you pursue your long term goals.

 

[Ezra]

Nah. You just need to find something you're interested in.

True.

Lol!


So uhhhh.....* awkwardly looks around*.......

Yeah I have been the same way at times, but not because what I was doing didn't matter enough, but that I understood it wasn't as good as it could, should, be. I tend to be my own worst enemy in that way.

The only thing that gets me out of it, is results. Seeing that the efforts I am putting in are doing something, anything. So long as things are moving, I do not think too much about such things.

Id say it is probably a sense of stagnation, boredom, to much put into the maintenance of life without the result of growing. I suggest learning new skills and hobbies on the side. One thing is bound to lead to another, as long as you are doing something that allows you to see little moments of achievement while you pursue your long term goals.

I agree and feel affinity with all of this.

Anyway, I was contemplating all this early this morning at 2am, and I was thinking about myself and how I'm not sure what is me and what is part of the system I have latched onto in order to create an 8w7 sp/sx ENTJ SLE persona for myself. Thus I decided today to create a list of strengths and weaknesses. I feel better already. I know no one really gives a shit about me on here, but it feels good to get them out in the open and share with everyone my life. So here we go:

Strengths

·Honest
·Direct
·Forward-thinking
·Analytical
·Enthusiastic
·Energetic
·Objective
·Ordered
·Decisive
·Flexible
·Adaptable
·Open-minded
·Trusting
·Reliable
·Trustworthy


Weaknesses

·Impatient
·Impulsive
·Quick to draw conclusions
·Prone to changing opinions
·Insensitive
·Selfish
·Miserly
·Arrogant
·Self-righteous
·Lazy
·Cynical
·Give up very easily
·Emotionally detached
·Over-thinking
·Prone to bouts of anger


My aim is to conquer all the weaknesses within this year. I think I can do it.

Actually, to other ENTJs: I'm really interested in what you perceive your own strengths and weaknesses to be.

 

[Litvyak]

Weaknesses

·Impatient
·Impulsive
·Quick to draw conclusions
·Prone to changing opinions
·Insensitive
·Selfish
·Miserly
·Arrogant
·Self-righteous
·Lazy
·Cynical
·Give up very easily
·Emotionally detached
·Over-thinking
·Prone to bouts of anger


My aim is to conquer all the weaknesses within this year. I think I can do it.

If you succeed, we'll have a chat around 27/01/2011, and you'll teach me how you did it, ok?

This seems to be a pretty common NTJ problem.

 

[Ezra]

If you succeed, we'll have a chat around 27/01/2011, and you'll teach me how you did it, ok?

This seems to be a pretty common NTJ problem.

I'll tell you now and save you the trouble: willpower.