Being an INTJ Personality

The definitions for the INTJ personality are as follows:

I:  Introverted types prefer quiet reflection and privacy. Information processing occurs for introverts as they explore ideas and concepts internally.

N:  Intuitive types prefer a learning atmosphere in which an emphasis is placed on meaning and associations. Insight is valued higher than careful observation, and pattern recognition occurs naturally for Intuitive types.

T:  Thinking types desire objective truth and logical principles and are natural at deductive reasoning.

J:  Judging types will thrive when information is organized and structured, and they will be motivated to complete assignments to gain closure.

The INTJ personality type is one of the rarest and most interesting types – comprising only about 2% of the U.S. population (INTJ females are especially rare – just 0.8%).  INTJs are often seen as highly intelligent and perplexingly mysterious. INTJ personalities radiate self-confidence, relying on their huge archive of knowledge spanning many different topics and areas. INTJs usually begin to develop that knowledge in early childhood (the “bookworm” nickname is quite common among INTJs) and keep on doing that later on in life.

Well, that sounds like me.  Years ago when I thought I would try online dating, I went on the eHarmony site and answered a bunch of questions.  They told me I was compatible with only 3% of the population.  Seemed like a waste of money to join. 

I had a good male friend who always told me to 'dummy down' and I inadvertently discovered my IQ result when I was in high school, and well, I always knew I was the smartest person in the room.  And yes, I was, and still am, a 'bookworm'.  If we went visiting family when I was young, I always had a book with me.  I was thrilled when they opened a library within bike-riding distance of my childhood home.

INTJs know what they know and more importantly – they are confident in that knowledge. Unsurprisingly, this personality type can be labeled as the most independent of all types. INTJs are very decisive, original and insightful...

INTJ personalities are perfectionists ... also have an unusual combination of both decisiveness and vivid imagination... If someone with the INTJ personality type starts working with a new system, they will regard the task as a moral obligation, merging their perfectionism and drive into one formidable force. Anyone who does not have enough talent or simply does not see the point, including the higher ranks of management, will immediately and likely permanently lose their respect.

Have I mentioned before how I have no tolerance for incompetence?  Especially when we are paying someone for a task and they are incapable of completing it?

They are natural leaders and excellent strategists...as soon as the leader fails and there is a need to take the steering wheel, the INTJ will not hesitate to act...

I used to tell folks that my motto was: Lead or get out of my way!

Alas, we all have our negatives, and to that aforementioned eHarmony quiz:

There is one area where their brilliant mind often becomes completely useless and may even hinder their efforts – INTJs find it very difficult to handle romantic relationships, ... they are likely to be completely clueless when it comes to attracting a partner.

The main reason behind this is that INTJ personalities are both private and incredibly rational – they find it very difficult to understand the complex social rituals that are considered part of the dating game, especially in Western societies. Things like flirting or small talk are unnatural to them; furthermore, INTJs (especially females) tend to see typical attraction tactics (such as feigning disinterest) as incredibly stupid and irrational...

Oddly enough, my best friends throughout my life have always been men.  Smart men, of course.  Just not anyone I would want to marry.  Once was enough, Thank You.