INFJs have a number of great qualities and strengths including their creativity, compassion, interpersonal insight and selfless devotion. But as with the other personality types, INFJs also carry a number of weaknesses and things that hold them back or compromise their self interests. Here is a list of the 7 major weaknesses of the INFJ personality type.
1. INFJs Hate Being The Bad Guy or Girl
Standing up for themselves or being stern at the risk of offending others can be a challenge for INFJs since they are such people-pleasers. They’re uncomfortable with the idea of hurting people or making them feel bad because afterwards it torments their soul with guilt. Their tendency toward agreeableness can be a hindrance to their self interests when they need to be decisive and firm. This can include saying no to demands others think they can foist onto them, because it is all too easy for INFJs to be self-sacrificing and do more than they are obligated to do. This is likely why INFJs seem to attract narcissists and other toxic people who love exploiting conscientious empaths.
2. INFJs Taking Things Too Personally
INFJ types have a tendency to read into things and sometimes perceive insults and sleights where none were intended. The same sensitivity that allows INFJs to understand and empathize with others is also what makes them susceptible to emotional distress and sadness. When something goes awry or when someone is upset, an INFJ is liable to seriously consider if they are somehow to blame. An INFJ is sometimes prone to overthinking other people’s intentions and may interpret a dirty look or being ignored by someone as a personal affront against them when in reality the person was probably unaware or thinking of something else entirely.
3. INFJs Losing Touch With Their True Selves
Because INFJs are good at absorbing and adapting to the energies of the people they interact with, they can find themselves subtly becoming a lot like them. The mutable aspect of INFJ personalities is what makes them such social chameleons who can appear both extroverted and introverted. INFJs are natural actors and actresses who can mimic behaviors in order to get along, be accepted or feel closer to the people they interact with. They can be so good at it or do it so much that they sometimes lose sight of what is authentically them.
4. INFJ Neuroticism
Perfectionism and neuroticism are traits or problems commonly associated with INFJ types. INFJs are prone to excessive undue worrying and their perfectionism often stems from an unhealthy preoccupation with sustaining an often unrealistic standard or ideal. INFJs may torment themselves with their ideas about how things should be and may overextend themselves in the pursuit of it. Perfectionism when taken too far can result in unproductive and unnecessary obsessing over nominal and inconsequential matters that INFJs place over-importance on. Perfectionism often leads to procrastination and may also discourage even attempting certain tasks for fear of failure.
5. INFJs Afraid of Inconveniencing Others
INFJs are known for bearing the burdens of others but INFJs would nary trouble others with their own. This is probably because it puts INFJ on a self imposed guilt trip and they don’t want to be a drag on anyone or become a source of resentment for them. INFJs want to be self sufficient and independent but are willing to be of service to others because they derive satisfaction through it. The problem is that INFJs may place too much responsibility on themselves when they ought to delegate or seek help from others especially friends who in reality would likely be more than happy to help them out.
6. INFJs Being Overly Cautious
INFJs tend not to be very spontaneous and this is typical of judger types. They like to play it safe planning things out ahead of time and may have a general distaste for putting themselves in risky situations especially if they are dangerous. INFJs may sometimes be too precarious and risk averse due to a lack of faith in their ability to improvise effectively and make good, snappy decisions. Because of this, INFJs may often miss out on unexpected opportunities that present themselves because the number of “unknowns” involved frighten the INFJ and discourage them from seizing what could be a life-changing event.
7. INFJ Lack of Competitive Mindset
The INFJ’s desire for harmony and sense of agreeableness may put them at a disadvantage when pitted against people who have no reservations about stepping on other people’s heads to get ahead and obtain what they want. Such a cutthroat mindset is often necessary for success in this world and many competitive environments may be too much for the iNFJ’s temperament to tolerate. Many INFJs may have an underdeveloped competitive spirit and tend to fight only for other things and people rather than for themselves. INFJs may need to cultivate this aspect of their personality in order to stand up for themselves and not allow ruthless narcissists to tread on them or take them for granted.
Want to know your astrology placements? You can generate your astrology chart here with our free birth chart generator tool.
related posts:
- 6 Excellent Career Matches For INFJs
- 6 Careers INFJs Should Probably Avoid
- INFJ Relationships With Each Myers Briggs Type
- 12 Shades of INFJ | Zodiac Signs and the MBTI
- ESTP and ESFP in love: 6 Dynamics of Their Relationship - September 4, 2024
- ISFP and ISTP in love: 5 Dynamics of their Relationship. - August 28, 2024
- ISFJ and ISTJ in love: 5 Essential Dynamics of their Relationship - February 24, 2024
This was a great post. I related to all weaknesses. It also helped me realize where I can improve. Lol that dang perfectionism
Really informative post. All of it was right on target. I agree with Lorrie hoping I can take all these and work on them.
Hey there. On Chrome, I see your interactive sidebar (pinterest, facebook, tweet, etc) following my scroll on the left side of the page. This is problematic because the article’s text is all the way to the left. Thus, I had difficulty reading the article. Thought you might not realize this happens to some end-users! Thanks!
Ok so I’m an INFJ but I tend to be super competitive because that’s what I’m always around, does that still make me an INFJ?
Wow,I am an INJF,and the type that is so fucked up. Since my childhood,I’ve never been really happy and I never will be. INJFs like me,hide their happiness. Am gonna live in the sadness for the rest of time. Am cool with it though. I mean,what’s the point of life when u know it’s coming to an end. Yh,its really true,we know way too much about the world,so,dhar. I know the Apocalypse day is coming and I have my own version of how its gonna happen. It’s a whole lot guys,and among all the weaknesses,I dont think I have number 2. Am only 16 so understand me. I really appreciate that am not the only one. Peace✌?
On #7— People better beware that if ever an INFJ becomes competitie, nothing would stand in their way. Also, they’ll do it with a flourish.
#7 Is completely wrong… Ti child and Se inferiour makes them absolute fiends at competition. Se inferiour is pure competition, they have this explosion of wanting to perform when they get into it. Their Ti child makes for an unhealthy obsession with logic and this leads to INFJ secluding themselves and playing games all day long. So yes, very bad analysis on #7.