We INFJs tend to think we are pretty darn special. Most people do, INFJ or not, but once we INFJs learn we are the rarest personality type (around two percent of the world’s population), we tend to fixate on it. Yes, we possess unique gifts and characteristics, but we sometimes go overboard and adopt this idea I like to call the Two Percent Effect.
When we research our typing, we most likely will find blogs and posts about INFJs being the best of the Myers Briggs Personality Types. I’ve seen hundreds of Internet posts about INFJs being special and unique and the best people in the whole entire world. I find that mentality just plain wrong. Let’s get this straight for once and for all: INFJs may make up only two percent of the population, but rarity does not equate to superiority. INFJs demonstrate unique skills others don’t possess, but does that make us the best type? No. Certainly not. Just as INFJs contibute special talents, so do the other types. Don’t buy in to this whole Two Percent Effect. Trust me. Here’s why:
Self-Isolation
The Two Percent Effect leads to self-isolation. If you think no one could possibly relate to you, then youwill automatically isolate yourself. This reminds meof building forts as a kid. We would often enforcerules for entry, like no boys allowed or no kidsunder eight-years-old-and-three-months allowed. Other times we got creative and enforced a secretcode, handshake, or dress code. For example, on Wednesdays we wore pink. Us INFJs still seem to function under this child fort idea; we might say thatwe cannot enjoy another’s company because his/her primary functions differ from ours. One of my best friends is an extrovert (E), while another one of my best friends is the strongest thinker (T) I know. Does that lessen our friendships? No, not really. Honestly, what’s the point of making friends with someone exactly like you? So stop isolating yourself because you fear no one will understand you perfectly; if you isolate yourself, you will end up being right.
Doubting Our Typing
This effect also causes many INFJs to feel they need to constantly reassert or prove their worthiness to their type. For example, I love sports and athletic competitions. Generally, INFJs tend to avoid sports due to a dislike for conflict and competition, as well as an overall avoidance of external or physical performances. Does liking sports make me less of an INFJ? No. Not all INFJs are the same, just as not all ESTPs are the same. Yes, we have tendencies according to type, but the Myers Briggs typing is not a direct science. Sometimes when we don’t abide by every little detail of INFJ tendencies, we second guess our typing. Don’t. Just known that being an INFJ doesn’t place you within set lines; we INFJs defy boundaries on principle, so naturally we might occasionally defy smaller details on the general typing of an INFJ. Would you truly act an INFJ if you did not?
Losing Our Strengths
Finally, the Two Percent Effect ruins the best traits of INFJs. INFJs believe passionately in causes and love helping others. By thinking that we INFJs should separate ourselves due to a supposed uniqueness and superiority, we would then remove ourselves fromothers. That’s like taking away religion from the Pope, or cats from an old lady, or rain from Washington state. We INFJs cease being INFJs when we stop caring for those around us. We have this maddening ability to exercise both idealism and realism, so watch out world when we get excited about something. We don’t like, we obsess, but this proves especially powerful when we decide to pursue a cause. If we separate ourselves from others, we separate ourselves from this unique talent of taking on the world.
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