Reading this and other boards, I see a lot of talk of "unhealthy" and "healthy" examples of one's own type. Usually the most common suggestion for growth into a more healthy form of one's own type is to try and purposely move towards the "center-line" between the two functions of one's primary function, usually this is directed at the introversion-extroversion line and the feeling-thinking line in particular.
The implication is that one can simply start "pushing out of the comfort zone" and one can become less introverted or more of a thinker or etc.
What if this type of thinking is all wrong? What if we cannot force ourselves into being "more of an extrovert" or "more of a thinker" or more or less of any primary function without becoming less of the best of what we were originally made to be because of the energy drain and effort necessary to "force" the change?
What if the correct way is to become more attuned to the best of your own particular type through understanding how your type works and applying it in a systematic way?
What I mean by this is, say my type INFP, maybe the best way for me to become more rounded is to immerse myself into INFP-ness. I should become a more intense INFP, a true INFP. Maybe instead of pushing to become more "extroverted" as I tried to do and really failed before, that I need to totally let go of this idea and embrace my introversion for what it is without reservations. I am what I am.
Then I think I should systematically apply a resolve to exercise my 3rd and 4th functions, Si and Te and do things to strengthen these known strengths, to make better use of what I have and what I am rather than trying to force myself into something I am not. Not a "forcing" to change my behavior in a cold turkey, "mind over matter" way, but instead doing specific exercises to develop more Si and more Te and to better understand exactly what these functions are and how they work with my Fi and Ne.
It seems logical to me then no matter how introverted I remain, if my supporting functions to my primary functions are stronger and I am fully immersed in the ways of using them, I will make better use of that interaction with the world that I do have and no need to drain myself by trying to be what I am not. I will naturally become more and more of the better example of what I can be. It will be a natural progression and not a forced change.
Now I just have to come up with some ways to exercise these functions that are simple enough to be practical and effective enough to build up tone in these areas. Like any exercise, it should be intentional, systematic and progressive.
I think this could work for any type, that they stop trying to change themselves into some more middle of the road version of their type, and instead more fully immerse themselves into what they already are and try to grow by focusing in on exercising their 3rd and 4th functions in an applied and serious fashion. Then their primary and secondary functions would have a firmer foundation and the person would be a stronger version of their own type. Just my thoughts on this after reading all the different views.
The implication is that one can simply start "pushing out of the comfort zone" and one can become less introverted or more of a thinker or etc.
What if this type of thinking is all wrong? What if we cannot force ourselves into being "more of an extrovert" or "more of a thinker" or more or less of any primary function without becoming less of the best of what we were originally made to be because of the energy drain and effort necessary to "force" the change?
What if the correct way is to become more attuned to the best of your own particular type through understanding how your type works and applying it in a systematic way?
What I mean by this is, say my type INFP, maybe the best way for me to become more rounded is to immerse myself into INFP-ness. I should become a more intense INFP, a true INFP. Maybe instead of pushing to become more "extroverted" as I tried to do and really failed before, that I need to totally let go of this idea and embrace my introversion for what it is without reservations. I am what I am.
Then I think I should systematically apply a resolve to exercise my 3rd and 4th functions, Si and Te and do things to strengthen these known strengths, to make better use of what I have and what I am rather than trying to force myself into something I am not. Not a "forcing" to change my behavior in a cold turkey, "mind over matter" way, but instead doing specific exercises to develop more Si and more Te and to better understand exactly what these functions are and how they work with my Fi and Ne.
It seems logical to me then no matter how introverted I remain, if my supporting functions to my primary functions are stronger and I am fully immersed in the ways of using them, I will make better use of that interaction with the world that I do have and no need to drain myself by trying to be what I am not. I will naturally become more and more of the better example of what I can be. It will be a natural progression and not a forced change.
Now I just have to come up with some ways to exercise these functions that are simple enough to be practical and effective enough to build up tone in these areas. Like any exercise, it should be intentional, systematic and progressive.
I think this could work for any type, that they stop trying to change themselves into some more middle of the road version of their type, and instead more fully immerse themselves into what they already are and try to grow by focusing in on exercising their 3rd and 4th functions in an applied and serious fashion. Then their primary and secondary functions would have a firmer foundation and the person would be a stronger version of their own type. Just my thoughts on this after reading all the different views.