Introduction
The INFP personality type, often referred to as "The Mediator" or "The Idealist," is known for their deep, introspective nature, strong values, and desire for authenticity. These traits make them incredibly empathetic, creative, and idealistic, often seeing the world through a lens of possibility and potential. Their inner world is rich with meaning, and they are driven by the quest for personal growth, self-expression, and the pursuit of noble causes. However, as much as INFPs thrive in their inner realms, they often find themselves struggling when faced with the complexities of the external world.
One of the biggest challenges for INFPs is their inferior cognitive function, Extroverted Thinking (Te). This function is responsible for efficiency, structure, and objective decision-making. When used properly, Te allows individuals to organize ideas, make practical decisions, and execute plans effectively. However, for INFPs, Te often remains underdeveloped, which can lead to feelings of frustration, confusion, and being overwhelmed by the demands of daily life.
In this blog post, we will explore how Extroverted Thinking—often viewed as a weaker, underdeveloped function in INFPs—can become a vital tool for success. We will look at case studies and practical strategies to help INFPs develop their Te, break free from indecision, and thrive in both their personal and professional lives.
The INFP Cognitive Function Stack
Before diving into how Extroverted Thinking (Te) functions and how INFPs can use it to their advantage, let's first break down the cognitive function stack for an INFP. Understanding how these functions work will help explain why Te is both a blind spot and a source of growth for them.
Dominant Function: Introverted Feeling (Fi) – INFPs lead with Introverted Feeling, which is responsible for their deep connection to their values, emotions, and inner authenticity. Fi allows them to form a strong moral compass, making decisions based on what feels true and right to them.
Auxiliary Function: Extraverted Intuition (Ne) – INFPs use Extraverted Intuition to explore ideas, see patterns, and understand the interconnectedness of the world. Ne helps them generate possibilities, think about the future, and connect ideas in creative and abstract ways.
Tertiary Function: Introverted Sensing (Si) – While not as dominant, Introverted Sensing allows INFPs to have a sense of familiarity and past experiences to guide them. It helps them feel grounded in reality, but it can be underused or distorted in their day-to-day functioning.
Inferior Function: Extraverted Thinking (Te) – The inferior function for INFPs, Extraverted Thinking, focuses on external efficiency, organization, and practicality. It helps individuals structure their environment, implement plans, and make logical decisions that are based on objective reality.
For INFPs, Te is often underdeveloped and may show up in moments of stress, leading to frustration, procrastination, or a lack of clarity in how to implement their ideas and ideals into the real world.
What Happens When Te is Underused?
When an INFP is not effectively engaging their Extroverted Thinking, they often experience certain challenges:
1. Difficulty with Organization
INFPs are often so absorbed in their thoughts and emotions that they neglect the practical aspects of life. They can become disorganized, and struggle with keeping track of time, managing tasks, or following through on their ideas.
2. Procrastination
The natural tendency for INFPs to get lost in their internal world can result in procrastination. They may struggle to take action on their ideas, particularly when the path to executing them requires practical steps that don’t align with their values or ideals.
3. Indecision
Since INFPs are guided by their emotions and values, they often struggle to make objective decisions that take into account practical realities. They might struggle to choose between opportunities or find it hard to weigh the pros and cons of different options.
4. Feeling Overwhelmed
Because they don’t always apply Te to structure their approach, INFPs may feel easily overwhelmed by tasks, deadlines, and expectations. They might find themselves stuck in a cycle of overthinking or avoiding decisions altogether.
5. Miscommunication
When under stress, INFPs may fail to clearly express their ideas in a practical or structured manner. Their language might become vague or abstract, making it difficult for others to understand their vision, resulting in miscommunication or frustration.
The Power of Te: Turning Weakness into Strength
While Te is typically the weakest function in an INFP’s stack, it holds immense potential for growth. By learning to develop and engage Extraverted Thinking, INFPs can unlock a wide range of benefits, such as:
Practical Decision-Making: Te enables INFPs to make decisions that are based on facts, logic, and external realities rather than getting caught up in idealistic fantasies or emotional biases.
Efficiency and Productivity: Te allows INFPs to break down complex tasks into manageable steps, set achievable goals, and take action with purpose and direction.
Better Communication: By tapping into Te, INFPs can articulate their ideas more clearly and structure their thoughts so that others can easily understand their vision.
Stress Reduction: Engaging Te can help INFPs feel more in control of their external world, reducing the stress and frustration that comes from disorganization or inaction.
Achievement and Fulfillment: As INFPs learn to translate their values and dreams into practical actions, they are more likely to experience a sense of accomplishment and fulfillment in life.
Case Study 1: Emily, the Aspiring Author
Emily is an INFP who has always dreamed of becoming a published author. She has countless ideas for novels, articles, and short stories, but she often feels overwhelmed when it comes to the practical aspects of writing. Emily’s Introverted Feeling (Fi) is strong, so she is deeply connected to the emotions and themes she wants to explore, but she has a hard time structuring her writing projects.
Over time, Emily began to realize that she was never finishing anything. Her Extraverted Intuition (Ne) would fuel her imagination, but when it came to actually writing and organizing her ideas, she would often get lost in the details. As a result, her work sat in drafts, with no clear timeline or plan for completion.
One day, Emily decided to take a different approach. She forced herself to engage with her Extraverted Thinking (Te) and started outlining her projects in a more organized way. She set a schedule, broke down her larger goals into small, manageable tasks, and started holding herself accountable for progress rather than perfection.
Through the development of her Te, Emily was able to finish her first novel and even get it published. By learning to balance her vision with practical strategies, she achieved success in a way she had never thought possible before.
Case Study 2: Alex, the Social Entrepreneur
Alex is an INFP who has always been passionate about social justice and helping underserved communities. He wanted to start a social enterprise that would provide sustainable employment opportunities for refugees, but he struggled to implement his vision.
His Introverted Feeling (Fi) provided him with a strong sense of purpose, and his Extraverted Intuition (Ne) helped him generate countless ideas. However, Alex found it difficult to translate these abstract concepts into something actionable. He was often paralyzed by indecision, unsure how to proceed with his business plan.
After seeking guidance, Alex realized that he needed to develop his Extraverted Thinking (Te) in order to take action. He enrolled in a business management course and learned how to create structured business plans, manage resources, and set clear, measurable goals. He also learned how to delegate tasks and track progress, which helped him stay focused.
Within a year, Alex successfully launched his social enterprise, providing jobs and education to dozens of refugees. By combining his idealism with practical decision-making and strategic planning, he was able to make a real-world impact.
How INFPs Can Start Developing Te: Practical Steps
Set Clear Goals: Start by setting realistic, achievable goals. Break down larger projects into smaller, manageable steps. Create a timeline and hold yourself accountable for meeting deadlines.
Embrace Structure: Use tools like to-do lists, schedules, and project management apps to help you organize your tasks and responsibilities. Structure will help reduce feelings of overwhelm and provide a roadmap for your success.
Practice Decision-Making: Instead of getting caught in endless loops of indecision, practice making practical decisions based on objective criteria. Learn to prioritize logic and efficiency when weighing your options.
Seek External Feedback: Don’t be afraid to ask for advice or feedback from people who are strong in Te. Their organizational skills and practical insights can provide valuable guidance in making realistic decisions.
Take Action: The best way to develop Te is through action. Start small by taking on manageable tasks and gradually build your ability to work through complex problems with a more structured approach.
Conclusion
For INFPs, developing Extraverted Thinking (Te) is an essential part of personal growth. By learning to balance their rich inner world of values and possibilities with the practical tools of organization, decision-making, and structure, INFPs can unlock their true potential. The journey to developing Te is not always easy, but it can be incredibly rewarding, helping INFPs achieve their dreams, bring their ideals into the real world, and ultimately find fulfillment in every aspect of their lives.
INFP Blindspot
Imagine a city opening all its roads during a festival, allowing traffic to flow freely so that people can connect, celebrate, and share experiences. Resources are spread out, making everything feel warm, open, and welcoming.
Similarly, when a Feeling type in the 16 Personalities framework is at ease, their mind "opens up" to emotions, empathy, and connection with others. They allow thoughts and energy to flow toward relationships and shared experiences, making them more in tune with their surroundings. This openness helps create harmony but can also make them feel overwhelmed if too many emotions come rushing in at once.
Comments