[ISTP] ISTP- Taking Things Apart

[KDude]

Do you do this? I've read this elsewhere, but I'll go for a quick link: ISTP - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

They are notorious for taking apart a device to see how it works before considering whether they can put it back together

I think I might be better at this than anything to do with craftmanship. I lost my first Nintendo this way. I have guitar and audio gear laying around that never gets any work done. Some I promised to fix for friends. It's also how I learned a lot about computers. I was fascinated with the first family computer, and every few weeks I'd do something to it late at night to tweak/explore some new configuration or OS for it.. and sometimes bring it to a broken state. What got me good though is trying to get it running again before my Dad woke up. Rinse, repeat.

Do you have any failed projects sitting around?

 

[ICUP]

Nope.

 

[lauranna]

No. I don't take stuff apart. But then I don't think I am a mechanical ISTP. I'm not sure of the specific sub-divisions of ISTPs but I'm thinking some are more mechanically minded and some are more mastering of a craft minded. Well, from the ones I know, that is what i see.

 

[Riva]

ISTPs have the most unfortunate descriptions of MBTI types.
They are described as mechanics, bikers and even carpenters most of the times.
Quite unfortunate.
I am yet to see an ISTP description which puts them in favourable/admirable light.

ISTPs are the best at what they do.
I believe this is the best way to describe them.

But they suck at communication (especially their feelings), has lower energy and have short fuses.
Soooooo..... if they are as I said the-best-at-what-they-do they could probably turn these traits around.

But those are very very rare sights.

 

[KDude]

ISTPs are the best at what they do.
I believe this is the best way to describe them.

And people say I have a romanticized view of types.

I'm constantly learning. I wouldn't get good at anything unless I was critical about my own work, made mistakes, and picked up the pieces for another shot. Definitely would not consider myself the best. Besides, the whole idea of Se is adapting as things unfold. This assumes some level of ignorance, commiting to performance itself (rather than preparation), and not being the best by default.

"I'm the best at what I do" sounds like a line from a movie. I know I've heard it somewhere. I can't pinpoint it. In any case, I'm not a cartoon character myself.

 

[wolfy]

Do you do this? I've read this elsewhere, but I'll go for a quick link: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ISTP_(personality_type)#Auxiliary:_Extraverted_sensing_.28Se.29



I think I might be better at this than anything to do with craftmanship. I lost my first Nintendo this way. I have guitar and audio gear laying around that never gets any work done. Some I promised to fix for friends. It's also how I learned a lot about computers. I was fascinated with the first family computer, and every few weeks I'd do something to it late at night to tweak/explore some new configuration or OS for it.. and sometimes bring it to a broken state. What got me good though is trying to get it running again before my Dad woke up. Rinse, repeat.

Do you have any failed projects sitting around?

I have a few have finished projects around. The wheel in this mouse is gone because I took it out to fix it and never got around to it. I learnt about computers like you, breaking and fixing them.

 

[Giggly]

Question for the ISTPs who take things apart - assuming money was not an issue, would you ever hire someone else to fix something for you that you knew how to fix yourself?

 

[wolfy]

Question for the ISTPs who take things apart - assuming money was not an issue, would you ever hire someone else to fix something for you that you knew how to fix yourself?

I'd do that if I could earn more doing something else, was feeling lazy, or thought I could learn something...

 

[KDude]

Question for the ISTPs who take things apart - assuming money was not an issue, would you ever hire someone else to fix something for you that you knew how to fix yourself?

Jobs I find useless/pointless, but somehow.. have to be done. Like mowing the lawn. I can't work it out in my own head why that even needs to be done. Seems more like a ritual than a necessity, but whatever. Not cutting the grass pisses too many nosy people off.

 

[Santosha]

Do you do this? I've read this elsewhere, but I'll go for a quick link: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ISTP_(personality_type)#Auxiliary:_Extraverted_sensing_.28Se.29



I think I might be better at this than anything to do with craftmanship. I lost my first Nintendo this way. I have guitar and audio gear laying around that never gets any work done. Some I promised to fix for friends. It's also how I learned a lot about computers. I was fascinated with the first family computer, and every few weeks I'd do something to it late at night to tweak/explore some new configuration or OS for it.. and sometimes bring it to a broken state. What got me good though is trying to get it running again before my Dad woke up. Rinse, repeat.

Do you have any failed projects sitting around?

My ISTP sure does! He plays in a band once a week and is constantly buying or trading up guitars, basses, amps, etc. but I think he buys these things just to have lots of junk laying around to take apart. Every single time he buys something (even new!) he instantly finds something "off about it" to create this need to take it apart. Many times these things sit for months. He has also taken apart both of our mountain bikes (didnt get to ride much this summer) two computers and you should just see the home restoration projects we've got lying around unfinished. He wanted to re-do our flooring because underneath the cheap carpet was some very old, nice hard wood. 4 months. I eventually paid a crew to come out and finish it. (He wasnt happy). So yes, I totally see this.

 

[wolfy]

Jobs I find useless/pointless, but somehow.. have to be done. Like mowing the lawn. I can't work it out in my own head why that even needs to be done. Seems more like a ritual than a necessity, but whatever. Not cutting the grass pisses too many nosy people off.

I used to like mowing the lawn. Cathartic. Thinking about the angles to work from and seeing it all I done. I really enjoyed it.

 

[KDude]

I used to like mowing the lawn. Cathartic. Thinking about the angles to work from and seeing it all I done. I really enjoyed it.

My problem is that I can think other things that are also cathartic. Like not mowing the grass.

 

[wolfy]

My problem is that I can think other things that are also cathartic. Like not mowing the grass.

Yeah, while I loved mowing the lawn I had a flat tyre I never bothered fixing. I only used the bike for delivering papers and could always push it. Always better things to do...

 

[Jaguar]

ISTPs have the most unfortunate descriptions of MBTI types.They are described as mechanics, bikers and even carpenters most of the times.Quite unfortunate.I am yet to see an ISTP description which puts them in favourable/admirable light.

If a profile smacks of stereotyping, I won't even use it.

Here are couple of objective ISTP profiles:

http://www.jungtype.com/ISTP.htm

http://www.careerplanner.com/Berens-Nardi/ISTP-Themes-Relationships.cfm

Contributions to the team of an ISTP

In a team environment, the ISTP can contribute by:

* being a source of information, or an 'expert' in some subjects
* using analytical skills to produce practical solutions to difficult problems
* encouraging the team to think, and then act
* having a cool head in a crisis
* applying relevant and realistic logical arguments
* encouraging the team to realistically assess the situation


Furthermore, do any of these suggested ISTP careers sound like "bikers"?


Careers ISTPs Might Consider:

Commercial Artist
Intelligence Agent
Private Detective
Software Developer
Lawyer/Judge
Media Specialist
Fire Fighter
Medical Technician
Corrections Officer
Legal Secretary
Electrical Engineer
Purchasing Agent
Automotive Products Retailer
Coach/Trainer
Computer Repair Person
Construction Worker
Optometrist
City Works Technician
Physical Therapist
Public Manager
Craft Worker
Computer Systems Analyst
Race Car Driver
Pilot
Marine Biologist
Surveyor
Farmer
Mechanic
Computer Programmer
Banker
Securities Analyst
Cook
Professional Hunter
Corporate Executive
Radiological Technician
Paralegal
Forest Ranger
Police Officer
Economist
Dental Hygienist
Respiratory Therapist
Chiropractor
Mechanical Engineer
Weapons Operator
Carpenter


I found that ISTP career list in mere seconds. (And that's just one of many.) If someone would actually take "mechanic" and "carpenter" out of a list of careers with that much breadth, and think that's what ISTPs do, I don't see how they could be smart enough to operate a coffee maker without harming themselves.

People's knowledge of type will be limited by the sources they choose to use.
If there are any adults reading this, I suggest grabbing a copy of:

Quick Guide to the 16 Personality Types in Organizations: Understanding Personality Differences in the Workplace

Go here:
http://www.amazon.com/Quick-Guide-Personality-Types-Organizations/dp/0971214417

 

[jixmixfix]

Question for the ISTPs who take things apart - assuming money was not an issue, would you ever hire someone else to fix something for you that you knew how to fix yourself?

Would any normal person hire someone if they knew they could fix something themselves?

 

[jixmixfix]

Yeah, while I loved mowing the lawn I had a flat tyre I never bothered fixing. I only used the bike for delivering papers and could always push it. Always better things to do...

Mowing the lawn if uber boring for me LOL I think I liked it when I was 12.

 

[Giggly]

Would any normal person hire someone if they knew they could fix something themselves?

ISTP's are normal people.

I would think some people would depending on the opportunity costs like things wolfy mentioned.

I asked because I was curious about ISTP's and their sense of self-sufficiency and independence.

For example, I know an ISTP that had an item that broke but was covered under warranty but didn't want to return it because he wanted to fix it himself.

 

[jixmixfix]

ISTP's are normal people.

I would think some people would depending on the opportunity costs like things wolfy mentioned.

I asked because I was curious about ISTP's and their sense of self-sufficiency and independence.

I have an ESFP future bro in law who practically built his house from scratch roofing, drywall, floor heaters for the basement. I helped him take out the whole heating system in his house, he switched from water heating to gas (was an old school place) It was insane took him about 6 months but he is also a jeweler working full time so he couldn't finish the job and had to hire some people. I think in his case I would hire someone too if I worked full time somewhere else and had to get certain jobs done.

 

[Giggly]

I have an ESFP future bro in law who practically built his house from scratch roofing, drywall, floor heaters for the basement. I helped him take out the whole heating system in his house, he switched from water heating to gas (was an old school place) It was insane took him about 6 months but he is also a jeweler working full time so he couldn't finish the job and had to hire some people. I think in his case I would hire someone too if I worked full time somewhere else and had to get certain jobs done.

That is so cool that he wanted to build his own house. Shame that he couldn't finish.

I think I get it though... is it sort of like that "If you want something done well, you have to do it yourself" mentality that ISTPs have?

 

[jixmixfix]

That is so cool that he wanted to build his own house. Shame that he couldn't finish.

I think I get it though... is it sort of like that "If you want something done well, you have to do it yourself" mentality that ISTPs have?

He did finish but it just got the point where he didn't have the time to finish it all himself so hiring people was the best economical solution. I'm not sure if that mentality is the right one to have though because there are professionals out there who can do a much better job. I personally wouldn't bother touching something HVac related, I know someone who has been doing it since he was 15 plus messing with that stuff can make your house go BOOM!