What Each Myers-Briggs Type Does In A Rut (The Rise Of The Inferior Function)


ESTP

Cognitive Functions: Extroverted Sensing – Introverted Thinking – Extroverted Feeling – Introverted Intuition

How the rut develops: When sensing that a problem is developing, the ESTP will go into ‘action’ mode – attempting to deal with the problem as directly as possible, in whichever fashion is most readily available to them. If the ESTP is unable to reach a solution through action, they will turn to their introverted thinking to reflect on the situation. They will look at all the facts that are relevant to the problem and attempt to pinpoint the inconsistency that is causing things to go wrong. If they are unable to do so, the ESTP’s stress will increase. They may then turn to their extroverted feeling – asking others for input and analyzing the issue as it pertains to the other people who are affected by it. If the ESTP is still at a loss for how to resolve the developing problem at this phase, they are at risk of falling prey to their inferior function.

What the rut looks like: An ESTP in a rut will revert to introverted intuition. This normally straightforward type will become obsessed with planning for the future and will want to examine all possible scenarios that might unfold before they feel confident making a decision. They may place a higher emphasis than usual on how their actions will impact others and will be hesitant to make any move for fear that they may inflict a negative series of events. This type will lose their usual confidence and charm and will take on an intensity that is out of character for them.

How to get out of it: To break out of a rut, the ESTP must re-engage their extroverted sensing. This present-focused type operates best while thinking on their feet and requires a great deal of external stimuli to keep them happy and thriving. To return to health, the ESTP will require new projects or engagements that will pull them out of their head and re-affirm their ability to deal with life’s challenges as they arise.

What their return to health will look like: As their mindset improves, the ESTP will become steadily more engaged with the people and world around them. They will cease to plan excessively for the future and will return to dealing with problems directly, as they come up. This straightforward type will regain confidence in their ability to take life as it comes and their confidence will steadily improve as they open their world back up to new people and new situations.

ISTP

Cognitive Functions: Introverted Thinking – Extroverted Sensing – Introverted Intuition – Extroverted Feeling

How the rut develops: When sensing that a problem is developing, the ISTP will first withdraw to examine the objective facts as they pertain to the issue at hand. They will attempt to spot any inconsistencies that may have led to the development of the problem and will strive to resolve them directly. If this method fails them, the ISTP may place a heavier focus on their extroverted sensing – switching to trail-and-error as their primary method of problem-solving. If this still does not pull them from the rut, the ISTP will turn to their tertiary function introverted intuition. They will examine the long-term outcomes of the developing problem and attempt to find a way to shift direction before the problem incurs long-term negative consequences. If the ISTP is still spiralling at this point, they run the risk of falling pretty to their inferior function.

What the rut looks like: An ISTP in a rut will revert to their extroverted feeling. This normally logical type will become defensive and reactive – refusing to acknowledge that they cannot find their way out of the rut and clinging to faulty logic in order to support their unstable self-image. The ISTP’s introverted intuition may interact with their unhealthy extroverted feeling in a way that makes them anticipate negative future events for themselves and their loved ones in this state. They may become uncharacteristically anxious and hostile.

How to get out of it: To break out of a rut, the ISTP needs to re-engage their introverted thinking. This type thrives on understanding how the world around them works and they require a great deal of alone time to break things down in an objective fashion. To move out of a rut, this type needs to re-engage their interest with the world around them and lessen their focus on how others view them. The ISTP thrives on acquiring hands-on skills and putting them to practical work – doing so will give the ISTP a sense of purpose and help them return to health.

What their return to health will look like: As their mindset improves, the ISTP will begin placing less emphasis on what those around them think and will regain an interest in understanding the world around them as objectively as possible. They will continue to develop their practical skills and will feel confident in their ability to judge situations logically and evenly.

ESTJ

Cognitive Functions: Extroverted Thinking – Introverted Sensing – Extroverted Intuition – Introverted Feeling

How the rut develops: When they sense a problem developing, the ESTJ’s first reaction will be to find a practical solution and apply it immediately. They will attempt to re-impose order to their external environment as soon as it has been disrupted. If they are unable to do so, they may shift the focus to their introverted sensing. Rather than dealing with what is directly apparent, they will think of what has helped them solve a similar issue in the past and attempt to apply the same method to the problem at hand. If this approach also fails them, the ESTJ may turn to their tertiary extroverted intuition. They will brainstorm new ideas for resolving the issue and attempt to catapult themselves out of the rut using a previously untested method. If the ESTJ is still spiralling at this phase, they are at risk of falling prey to their inferior function.

What the rut looks like: An ESTJ in a rut will revert to their introverted feeling. This normally pragmatic type will become self-critical and overly analytical – trying to find the deeper meaning behind everything they and others do. They may become fixated on morals – judging others for what they are doing wrong and vocalizing their opinion on it. While in the grip of their introverted feeling, the ESTJ will lose the ability to make objective, pragmatic decisions. Their behaviour will be rash and defensive and they may withdraw from others in an attempt to hide the fact that they are not behaving entirely rationally.

How to get out of it: To break out of a rut, the ESTJ needs to reconnect with their extroverted thinking. They need to regain confidence in their ability to impose order on their external environment and make pragmatic choices for both themselves and those around them. They may use their introverted sensing to help them remember what they have valued in the past, and make decisions based on the most logical implementation of those values.

What their return to health will look like: As their mindset improves, the ESTJ will regain their natural confidence and decisiveness. They will once again work toward imposing order into their lives and will take on positions of leadership as they become available. This highly organized type thrives when they are given autonomy to make practical decisions – seeking out those situations will likely be crucial to their return to confidence and health.

ISTJ

Cognitive Functions: Introverted Sensing – Extroverted Thinking – Introverted Feeling – Extroverted Intuition

How the rut develops: When they sense a problem developing, the ISTJ’s first instinct will be to apply a tried-and-true solution to the problem – they will want to nip the problem in the bud and solve it as quickly as possible. If the tried-and-true method fails them, however, the ISTJ will instead turn their attention to their extroverted thinking. They will survey their external environment for a way to impose order and reduce the chaos that the problem has incurred. They will attempt to control any damage that has been done in a straightforward manner – they may enlist the help of others at this phase if necessary. If the ISTJ finds that the problem is continuing to develop, they will turn to their tertiary introverted feeling. They will assess how they might reach a solution that is in line with their strongly held moral beliefs. If this also fails to help them resolve the issue, the ISTJ is at risk of falling prey to their inferior function.

What the rut looks like: An ISTJ in a rut will revert to their extroverted intuition. This normally logical type will become caught up in a world of negative possibilities and may neglect their capacity for pragmatic decision-making. They will uncharacteristically distrust the tried and true methods they have used in the past and feel incapable of tackling new problems. They may feel overwhelmed by the commitments they have made and cease to follow through on many of them. The normally reliable ISTJ will become scattered, defensive and ungrounded in their ability to implement plans.

How to get out of it: To break out of a rut, the ISTJ must get back in touch with their introverted sensing. This type places a high value on structure, integrity and duty – all of which they must reconnect with in order to return to health. An ISTJ who has lost their way is likely an ISTJ who feels useless. To return to health, they will need to re-establish their place in society and understand how their knowledge base and past experiences can help them to make an effective contribution to the world around them.

What their return to health will look like: As their mindset improves, the ISTJ will cease to dwell in theoretical possibilities and will begin implementing realistic, tangible plans that will serve both themselves and the institutions they value. They will regain confidence in the knowledge they have acquired through past experiences and feel capable of implementing plans accordingly. They will once again feel useful to their community and will dutifully follow through on the promises and plans they make. Thought Catalog Logo Mark

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