5 ISFP Struggles and Development Tips

Self-development hasn’t been a subject we’ve focused on too heavily here. It’s not that we don’t find it important; it’s just that Ryan and I tend to be more naturally inclined towards the analytical and technical stuff. However, using personality theory for self-development is important, so after receiving a request from one of our loyal followers, I decided to dedicate my time to this new series. Since the request came from an ISFP, I’ll be starting with self-development tips for the ISFP. Plus, after getting feedback from other ISFPs on how little personality theory content tends to be aimed directly at them, I feel compelled to write more on the ISFP personality type.

Disclaimer

To be clear, not every ISFP is the same. I’m going to try to cover general tendencies and struggles an ISFP may have given their cognitive function stack. However, you may not have some of these tendencies, depending on how your life has gone thus far. Some of this information will also not be exclusive to ISFPs, even though they’ll be the only type directly talked about in this article. There is often overlap in how different types need to develop, given function stack similarities and etc. Someone with another personality type may find some of this useful, or may find themselves relating to some of this even if they are not an ISFP.

The ISFP’s Cognitive Function Stack

An ISFP has the four following cognitive functions in order: Introverted Feeling (Fi), Extraverted Sensing (Se), Introverted Intuition (Ni), and Extraverted Thinking (Te). The shorthand for this is Fi-Se-Ni-Te.

A main reason behind any personality type’s struggles and subsequent development needs lies in the imbalance within their cognitive function stack. Functions come in pairs, and the pairs operate as a scale, so to speak, with each function at an opposite end. In other words, Fi in the dominant position results in an over-reliance on Fi which subsequently causes inferior Te weaknesses or insecurities. As such, the development path for any personality type is typically to strengthen their lower two functions, and occasionally the auxiliary as well, if looping has been a struggle. As we continue on down the article, I’ll tie each weakness I cover to its related function imbalance, and offer possible suggestions for development.

5 ISFP Struggles and Development Tips

1. Over-emphasis on self-discovery or introspection

Fi is an extremely idealistic function. Many like to tie idealism back to intuitives, and thus exclude the SFPs from being idealistic since Se should make them realistic. However, this is a mistake. (See Idealism: An NF Tendency?) While Se can ground an ISFP to reality, making their ideals or dreams perhaps a little less far-fetched, that doesn’t mean they won’t or can’t be idealistic. (This is partially why ISFPs mistype as INFPs.) Being an Fi dominant can lead the ISFP to form ideals surrounding what the world should be or what might give them the exact, personalized meaning that they desire. Fi dominants are often concerned with figuring out how to most authentically portray who they are to those around them. Naturally, the first step in this process is to figure out who they are, which is often a constant, life-long process for high Fi users. All of this combined can lead to an over-emphasis on introspection or self-discovery (Fi) and a devaluing of meaningful action (Se, Te).

Over-emphasizing Fi in this manner can lead to indecision or failure to act in the real world, specifically when it comes to forming long term goals or defining a life path. After all, if you don’t know exactly who you are, how can you figure out what will give your life the most meaning? How can you know what will adhere to your most authentic self? How can you find the perfect fit?

Development Tip(s):

Get out of your head (Fi) or stop avoiding via pointless indulgences (Se). Honestly, all three of your lower functions need to activate to help you with this.

Tip #1: Gain real world experience (Se). Volunteer somewhere. Get a part-time job. Learn a new skill. Dabble in hobbies with real world potential. Se is your exploration function, and can be extremely beneficial if it’s not being used to avoid the problem. Use it. Oftentimes, you can’t truly discover who you are until you get out of your comfort zone and go do something that may help you learn what your strengths and interests really are.

Tip #2: Start thinking long term (Ni). Research options that might appeal to your Fi, and keep track of what you find. You don’t want to waste your time by retracing the same steps multiple times.

Tip #3: Come up with objective criteria (Te) with which to judge your options against. Determine which of your options is actually plausible or fulfills your required criteria. Your goal is to form a goal. If it’ll help, ask someone for advice who both knows you well and is reasonably successful in the real world.

Remember: Never moving forward will likely be worse than trying the wrong thing.

2. Being overly sensitive to criticism

Fi users often tie their creations, actions, thoughts, and etcetera to their identity. As such, sometimes they really struggle to handle criticism well, because they perceive it to be an attack on their identity. Obviously, criticism can be done the wrong way, and I’m not saying it’s always your fault for responding badly. However, constructive criticism is unfortunately necessary to grow in skill or make your ideas/ideals accessible or actionable in the real world.

Development Tip(s):

Tip: Try to change your perspective on criticism when you receive it, and open your mind to the possibility that perhaps the “criticizer” is earnestly trying to help you grow or improve. Some ISFPs may believe that yielding to said criticism will mean straying from their identity or ideals. Evaluate honestly whether or not that is the case. Perhaps check in with a trusted friend to get a second opinion.

3. Struggle to be self-disciplined or motivated

Technically, discipline and motivation are two different things, but they often tie so closely together that I struggle to make these separate points. After all, when one is motivated, they can be disciplined, and when one is disciplined, they can often drum up motivation. Motivation is interesting because it technically can come from any and all functions in one’s stack. There are ways to “motivate” each individual function. Discipline usually ties to extraverted judging, which for an ISFP, will be inferior Te.

Many ISFPs struggle with things like discipline, consistency, and staying motivated for the long term. They may have projects that they want to work on, but can struggle to find that motivation to get started. (After all, some goals or projects seem very intimidating.) Other ISFPs may get past that point, and energetically get rolling on a new project only to fizzle out once the initial excitement wears off. Unfortunately, the short term indulgences that are ultimately pointless always seem to be the easiest to dump one’s energy into.

Development Tip(s):

Tip #1: Break your project or goal down into small or digestible steps to make progress easier and the whole ordeal less intimidating. Use planners or organizational tools if it’ll help you keep track of tasks/steps and visualize your progress.

Tip #2: Offer yourself rewards for completing steps or making a set amount of progress.

Tip #3: Ask a third party to hold you accountable for making progress.

Tip #4: Se users often find it much easier to be motivated when they either enjoy the process or see instant results. Unfortunately, in many projects, there’s a grinding phase that’s mundane and boring. (For instance, learning a new skill often takes tons of practice which can be extremely monotonous after a while, but it’s necessary to work through this to achieve that desired end result.) Try to envision your desired end result and keep that at the front of your mind when you’re stuck in the boring phase. If possible, find ways to make the process more enjoyable. Obviously, how you can do this will vary greatly depending on your specific goal, but don’t forget the little things like maybe listening to music or drinking your favorite beverage.

Tip #5: It can be extremely hard to stay motivated when you have to do the same exact thing over and over again. Where possible, mix up your routine to keep things interesting.

Tip #6: If motivation or inspiration strikes, drop whatever you’re doing (if possible) and ride the wave. You’ll make significantly more progress in those times than when you’re forcing yourself to be productive. However, with that being said, don’t assume inspiration/motivation will strike because you may end up waiting around for nothing.

4. Constantly assuming a negative end or failure without trying

Some ISFPs constantly struggle to launch into action because they perceive failure is inevitable.
They essentially fall prey to overthinking and choose to keep their dream in the realm of fantasy, due to fear of failure and/or inadequacy. This is a potential sign that the ISFP is looping, depending on how deeply ingrained they are in this way of thinking. In case you are new to typology, an ISFP loop occurs when they skip over their auxiliary Se and lean too heavily on their tertiary Ni. The result of looping on two introverted functions (Fi-Ni) like this is often excessive introspection, stagnation, and perhaps paranoia. In such cases, auxiliary Se needs to be developed.

Development Tip(s):

Tip #1: Remind yourself of your strengths. Go do something that you can do successfully.

Tip #2: Find a way to be “adventurous” (whatever your definition of that word is). It can be something small, but anything that results in real world exploration will exercise your Se and help increase your confidence. Examples are going to a new place, trying out a new skill, being spontaneous…

Remember: Not trying is still failing.

5. Acting impulsively or too hastily

The more stereotypical ISFP will likely suffer from this weakness. It’s the result of Se’s impulse to just live in the moment and act. Granted, as an Fi dominant, an ISFP won’t be excessively spontaneous, but it should still be fairly commonplace for them to launch too quickly into action, without being adequately prepared or gaining enough advanced information. Ultimately, this is the result of weak Ni, which is the function an ISFP should be using for foresight and subsequent preparation.

Development Tip(s):

Tip #1: This is obvious but slow down. Try to anticipate what you might need later or what might happen later on and prepare accordingly.

Tip #2: If you want general Ni development tips, try something that encourages you to think ahead or anticipate the future, like strategy games, mysteries, and etc.

In Conclusion…

I earnestly hope I did this subject justice. I welcome any thoughts or input you might have!