5 ISTP Struggles and Development Tips

Every now and again, someone emails in asking for another one of our development articles. (We’ve done ISFP, INFP, and ENFP thus far). I usually just cringe a little, and give some brief response about how I follow my inspiration, and suspect I’ll get there eventually. In reality, I’m far more comfortable writing analysis articles than actually applying the theory for self-development. (Inferior Fe weakness.) But anyways, I do want to continue this series, so I’ll pick it up at one that’s been requested a few times: ISTP Struggles and Development Tips.

In each article from this series, I cover only 5 struggles, simply because doing much more would result in a massive article. Perhaps I go a bit too in depth, but in my opinion, it’s important to understand the “why” behind the struggle in order to fully understand the suggested development tips. Of course, articles like this can also be used if you’re trying to narrow down your personality type, since identifying with a specific type’s struggles is very telling. Anyways, I hope you find this article helpful, and get some value out of this discussion on 5 ISTP struggles and development tips.

DISCLAIMER

To be clear, not every ISTP is the same. I’m going to try to cover the most common struggles that I’ve noticed among ISTPs, with their cognitive function stack in mind. However, everyone develops slightly different, due to their own unique life circumstances. As a result, an ISTP might find that they do not relate to every struggle that I’m going to list. That’s perfectly fine, and actually suggests good things about the ISTP’s current level of development, assuming that they are typed correctly. Some of this information will also not be exclusive to ISTPs, even though ISTP development is the focus of this article. There is often overlap in how different types need to develop, given function stack similarities, etc. Another personality type may relate to some of this in spite of not being an ISTP.

The ISTP’s Cognitive Function Stack

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

Any personality type’s struggles and subsequent development needs (including the ISTP) is often due to the imbalance within their cognitive function stack. Functions come in pairs, and the pairs operate as a scale, so to speak, with each cognitive function at an opposite end. In other words, Ti in the dominant position results in an over-reliance on Ti, which causes inferior Fe 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 ISTP Struggles, Growth, and Development Tips

1. Sensitivity to specialty being challenged

Ti enjoys mastering contained systems, and ISTPs specifically tend to be relatively singular. In other words, many ISTPs double down on one or two things, resulting in a relative specialty. (Relative, because how good they objectively are can vary greatly based on a variety of factors). The result is a type of identity fixation (similar to Fi), in the sense that this specialty or focus gets incorporated into their self-definition, and becomes a facet of how they judge their value. Therefore, ISTPs often struggle when someone comes along and makes them feel inferior in their self-determined specialty.

Development Tip(s):

Tip #1: Use this as a growth opportunity. Remember, there can only be one person in the world who is truly the best. Thus, you’re likely living in the 99.99999% majority with the rest of us, so there will always be someone out there who is better than you. Take this opportunity to refine your understanding and climb the skill ladder, so that you don’t stagnate. The more you improve, the less likely you are to feel inferior in the future.

2. Being too disconnected from emotions

As inferior feelers, ISTPs often devalue emotions, especially their own. This doesn’t inherently make them unaware of their emotions, although some are. Rather, it means that they view their emotions as obstacles to be smothered out or suppressed. Jung described dominant thinkers as being aware of their emotions, but denying them validity and declaring that they have no influence over him. This detachment can then sometimes extend into the ISTPs understanding of emotions in other people, hampering their relationships. All human beings are influenced by emotions, so being aware of the influence that emotions have in both ourselves and others is important.

Development Tip(s):

Tip #1: To improve one’s connection with emotions, one must actually interact with emotions.

Tip #2: Try to form new relationships or deepen the ones you have. Don’t keep everything surface level or emotionally detached.

Tip #3: Remember your emotions must eventually be processed, or they’ll surface at the most inopportune time. Find an outlet. Punch a bag. Listen to music. Destroy a wooden target with your weapon of choice. Etc. I’ve seen people suggest keeping a diary to encourage introspection, but I’ve personally always found that idea appalling.

Tip #4: Find something or someone you care about more than yourself. Purpose and passion.

Tip #5: If you’re the type to bury your grievances because it’s not worth the drama, remember that that can damage your relationships in the long run. If you can, be straightforward with the people that matter to you.

3. Acting too impulsively or hastily

Developed Se in an ISTP will give them the impulse to just live in the moment and act. Granted, as a Ti dominant, an ISTP won’t be excessively spontaneous, but once an ISTP has latched onto an idea, they’ll usually be quick to launch into action (feeling the urge to realize their idea now). As lower Ni users, many ISTPs won’t dedicate enough time to foresight and/or advance preparation, which may result in them not being adequately prepared, failing to gain enough advanced information, or regretting their decision.

Development Tip(s):

Tip #1: This is obvious but slow down. Wait a couple of days or some other specified waiting time of your choosing, if applicable, to let your brain mull over things a bit longer. This will help ensure that you don’t start something only to change your mind shortly thereafter and/or regret it. It will also give you a chance to anticipate what you might need later or what might happen later on and prepare accordingly.

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

4. Difficulty connecting with others or integrating into a group

Inferior Fe can lead to a sort of hyper-independence, that makes ISTPs resistant to becoming too connected, in addition to making them struggle with social protocol. When added to the emotional detachment mentioned in an earlier point, the result can be someone who struggles to integrate into a group or connect with others. Some ISTPs will take the lone wolf approach, keeping themselves disconnected (or claiming they don’t need connection), while others fight insecurity while striving to connect.

Development Tip(s):

Tip #1: Join an interest-based group where it’ll be easy for you to find common ground with those around you. Structured social situations like this usually make it simpler to engage.

Tip #2: Find a group or community that’s united behind a purpose that you can support. You’ll begin to see yourself as part of a greater whole.

Tip #3: People will feel like they matter if you remember details about them, follow up on those details, and ask enough questions so they get a chance to talk about themselves.

5. Struggle to be self-disciplined or motivated

Technically, discipline and motivation are two different things, but they tie closely together. 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.

Many ISTPs 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 ISTPs 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.

Related Article: Motivation from the Mind Of An ISTP