- Aug 21, 2015
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What are your thoughts and experiences on life advice and type? Do you have examples of “life advice” (cliché, or not) that hasn’t worked for you, even if it works well for others?
Currently, my point of view is that life advice may be ‘type specific’. Obviously, we are all smart enough to use the advice that works for us, and discard what doesn't work, but I keep wondering if type influences why the same advice doesn't work for all people even when it is assumed by those giving the advice that it will.
For example: advice to “be in the moment” in order to destress works best for types who typically “live in the moment”. When these types get stressed, they begin to over-think and focus on the past or future. This is shadowy behaviors for “in the moment“ types. Advice to focus on the present recalibrates them. Intuitives are at peace when they are ‘in their own heads’, and that means they aren’t focused on the moment. Focusing on the moment throws Intuitives out of balance.
Marie Kondo’s advice to declutter works for certain people and not others. Types who like order are stereotyped as “J” instead of “P”, though that is not what those functions mean. According to stereotype, XXXJs would find Kondo’s advice helpful because they thrive in organized environments, while XXXPs may work best in a more relaxed atmosphere. (Some think Kondo is a joke because her advice is ‘extreme’, and some live by her word.) Famous and successful creative people like Nick Cave and the painter Francis Bacon have/had notoriously messy work spaces. INFJs are known for their messy work spaces, even though they typically keep their homes tidy. Some people thrive in a bit of chaos, and others are swallowed by that chaos.
It makes sense that “Live, Laugh, Love” works for fun-loving, people-oriented types, while quiet thinkers may perceive the advice as “superficial”. (Actually, many people find "LLL" silly regardless of type, but you know what I mean.) The people I know who like this phrase are bubbly, fun loving, and people-oriented.
Advice to “be an individual” doesn’t work for types who thrive on fitting in. One friend said, “I’d like to be that way, but I can’t.” She meant that daring to stand apart from the crowd is not in her nature. She works in politics where rules and order are appreciated.
The other day one practical, ambitious member of the forum (I won't use your name) mentioned that he follows his dreams, but his dreams are practical. "Follow your dreams" can mean anything, but it is usually interpreted as a daring move that attracts impractical idealists. Being impractical seems absurd and dangerous to a lot of people.
Currently, my point of view is that life advice may be ‘type specific’. Obviously, we are all smart enough to use the advice that works for us, and discard what doesn't work, but I keep wondering if type influences why the same advice doesn't work for all people even when it is assumed by those giving the advice that it will.
For example: advice to “be in the moment” in order to destress works best for types who typically “live in the moment”. When these types get stressed, they begin to over-think and focus on the past or future. This is shadowy behaviors for “in the moment“ types. Advice to focus on the present recalibrates them. Intuitives are at peace when they are ‘in their own heads’, and that means they aren’t focused on the moment. Focusing on the moment throws Intuitives out of balance.
Marie Kondo’s advice to declutter works for certain people and not others. Types who like order are stereotyped as “J” instead of “P”, though that is not what those functions mean. According to stereotype, XXXJs would find Kondo’s advice helpful because they thrive in organized environments, while XXXPs may work best in a more relaxed atmosphere. (Some think Kondo is a joke because her advice is ‘extreme’, and some live by her word.) Famous and successful creative people like Nick Cave and the painter Francis Bacon have/had notoriously messy work spaces. INFJs are known for their messy work spaces, even though they typically keep their homes tidy. Some people thrive in a bit of chaos, and others are swallowed by that chaos.
It makes sense that “Live, Laugh, Love” works for fun-loving, people-oriented types, while quiet thinkers may perceive the advice as “superficial”. (Actually, many people find "LLL" silly regardless of type, but you know what I mean.) The people I know who like this phrase are bubbly, fun loving, and people-oriented.
Advice to “be an individual” doesn’t work for types who thrive on fitting in. One friend said, “I’d like to be that way, but I can’t.” She meant that daring to stand apart from the crowd is not in her nature. She works in politics where rules and order are appreciated.
The other day one practical, ambitious member of the forum (I won't use your name) mentioned that he follows his dreams, but his dreams are practical. "Follow your dreams" can mean anything, but it is usually interpreted as a daring move that attracts impractical idealists. Being impractical seems absurd and dangerous to a lot of people.
