My Personality [II]: ISTJ Personality (“The Logistician”)

https://www.16personalities.com/istj-personality

My observation is that whenever one person is found adequate to the discharge of a duty... it is worse executed by two persons, and scarcely done at all if three or more are employed therein.

~George Washington ~

The ISTJ personality type is thought to be the most abundant, making up around 13% of the population. Their defining characteristics of integrity, practical logic and tireless dedication to duty make ISTJs a vital core to many famlies, as well as organizations that uphold traditions, rules and standards, such as law offices, regulatory bodies and military. People with the ISTJ personality type enjoy taking responsibility for their actions, and take pride in the work they do – when working towards a goal, ISTJs hold back none of their time and energy completing each relevant task with accuracy and patience.

ISTJs don’t make many assumptions, preferring instead to analyze their surroundings, check their facts and arrive at practical courses of action. ISTJ personalities are no-nonsense, and when they’ve made a decision, they will relay the facts necessary to achieve their goal, expecting others to grasp the situation immediately and take action. ISTJs have little tolerance for indecisiveness, but lose patience even more quickly if their chosen course is challenged with impractical theories, especially if they ignore key details – if challenges becomes time-consuming debates, ISTJs can become noticeably angry as deadlines tick nearer.

Associate With Those of Good Quality if You Esteem Your Reputation...


When ISTJs say they are going to get something done, they do it, meeting their obligations no matter the personal cost, and they are baffled by people who don’t hold their own word in the same respect. Combining laziness and dishonesty is the quickest way to get on ISTJs’ bad side. Consequently, people with the ISTJ personality type often prefer to work alone, or at least have their authority clearly established by hierarchy, where they can set and achieve their goals without debate or worry over other’s reliability.

ISTJs have sharp, fact-based minds, and prefer autonomy and self-sufficiency to reliance on someone or something. Dependency on others is often seen by ISTJs as a weakness, and their passion for duty, dependability and impeccable personal integrity forbid falling into such a trap.

This sense of personal integrity is core to ISTJs, and goes beyond their own minds – ISTJ personalities adhere to established rules and guidelines regardless of cost, reporting their own mistakes and telling the truth even when the consequences for doing so could be disastrous. To ISTJs, honesty is far more important than emotional considerations, and their blunt approach leaves others with the false impression that ISTJs are cold, or even robotic. People with this type may struggle to express emotion or affection outwardly, but the suggestion that they don’t feel, or worse have no personality at all, is deeply hurtful.

...For It Is Better to Be Alone Than in Bad Company

ISTJs’ dedication is an excellent quality, allowing them to accomplish much, but it is also a core weakness that less scrupulous individuals take advantage of. ISTJs seek stability and security, considering it their duty to maintain a smooth operation, and they may find that their coworkers and significant others shift their responsibilities onto them, knowing that they will always take up the slack. ISTJs tend to keep their opinions to themselves and let the facts do the talking, but it can be a long time before observable evidence tells the whole story.

ISTJs need to remember to take care of themselves – their stubborn dedication to stability and efficiency can compromise those goals in the long term as others lean ever-harder on them, creating an emotional strain that can go unexpressed for years, only finally coming out after it’s too late to fix. If they can find coworkers and spouses who genuinely appreciate and complement their qualities, who enjoy the brightness, clarity and dependability that they offer, ISTJs will find that their stabilizing role is a tremendously satisfying one, knowing that they are part of a system that works.

ISTJ Strengths and Weaknesses

ISTJ Strengths

• Honest and Direct – Integrity is the heart of the ISTJ personality type. Emotional manipulation, mind games and reassuring lies all run counter to ISTJs’ preference for managing the reality of the situations they encounter with plain and simple honesty.

• Strong-willed and Dutiful – ISTJs embody that integrity in their actions too, working hard and staying focused on their goals. Patient and determined, people with the ISTJ personality type meet their obligations, period.

• Very Responsible – ISTJs’ word is a promise, and a promise means everything. ISTJs would rather run themselves into the ground with extra days and lost sleep than fail to deliver the results they said they would. Loyalty is a strong sentiment for ISTJ personalities, and they fulfill their duties to the people and organizations they’ve committed themselves to.

• Calm and Practical – None of their promises would mean much if ISTJs lost their tempers and broke down at every sign of hardship – they keep their feet on the ground and make clear, rational decisions. Peoples’ preferences are a factor to consider in this process, and ISTJs work to make the best use of individual qualities, but these decisions are made with effectiveness in mind more so than empathy. The same applies to criticisms, for others and themselves.

• Create and Enforce Order – The primary goal of any ISTJ is to be effective in what they’ve chosen to do, and they believe that this is accomplished best when everyone involved knows exactly what is going on and why. Unclear guidelines and people who break established rules undermine this effort, and are rarely tolerated by ISTJs. Structure and rules foster dependability; chaos creates unforeseen setbacks and missed deadlines.

• Jacks-of-all-trades – Much like Analyst personalities, ISTJs are proud repositories of knowledge, though the emphasis is more on facts and statistics than concepts and underlying principles. This allows ISTJs to apply themselves to a variety of situations, picking up and applying new data and grasping the details of challenging situations as a matter of course.

ISTJ Weaknesses

• Stubborn – The facts are the facts, and ISTJs tend to resist any new idea that isn’t supported by them. This factual decision-making process also makes it difficult for people with the ISTJ personality type to accept that they were about something – but anyone can miss a detail, even them.

• Insensitive – While not intentionally harsh, ISTJs often hurt more sensitive types’ feelings by the simple mantra that honesty is the best policy. ISTJ personalities may take emotions into consideration, but really only so far as to determine the most effective way to say what needs to be said.

• Always by the Book – ISTJs believe that things work best with clearly defined rules, but this makes them reluctant to bend those rules or try new things, even when the downside is minimal. Truly unstructured environments leave ISTJs all but paralyzed.

• Judgmental – Opinions are opinions and facts are facts, and ISTJs are unlikely to respect people who disagree with those facts, or especially those who remain willfully ignorant of them.

• Often Unreasonably Blame Themselves – All this can combine to make ISTJs believe they are the only ones who can see projects through reliably. As they load themselves with extra work and responsibilities, turning away good intentions and helpful ideas, ISTJs sooner or later hit a tipping point where they simply can’t deliver. Since they’ve heaped the responsibility on themselves, ISTJs then believe the responsibility for failure is theirs alone to bear.

ISTJ Relationships

ISTJs are dependable through and through, and this trait is clearly expressed when it comes to their romantic relationships. Often representing the epitome of family values, people with the ISTJ personality type are comfortable with, and often even encourage traditional household and gender roles, and look to a family structure guided by clear expectations and honesty. While their reserved nature often makes dating ISTJs challenging, they are truly dedicated partners, willing to devote tremendous thought and energy to ensure stable and mutually satisfying relationships.

Happiness and Moral Duty Are Inseparably Connected

Blind dates and random hookups are not ISTJs’ preferred methods for finding potential partners. The risk and unpredictability of these situations has ISTJs’ alarm bells ringing, and being dragged out for a night of dancing at the club just isn’t going to happen. ISTJ personalities much prefer more responsible, conservative methods of dating, such as dinner with an interested coworker or, in their more adventurous moods, a setup organized through a mutual friend.

ISTJs approach relationships, as with most things, from a rational perspective, looking for compatibility and the mutual satisfaction of daily and long-term needs. This isn’t a process that ISTJs take lightly, and once commitments are established, they stick to their promises to the very end. ISTJs establish foundations, fulfill their responsibilities, and keep their relationships functional and stable.

As their relationships transitions into the long-term, ISTJs gladly see to the necessary daily tasks around the house, applying the same sense of duty to their home life that they do in the workplace.

While this may not translate into particularly exotic intimate lives, ISTJs are dependable lovers who want very much for their partners to remain satisfied. It takes patience on the part of more adventurous partners, but if different activities can be demonstrated as equally or more enjoyable than those already within ISTJs’ comfort zones, they are perfectly capable of trying something new.

However, emotional satisfaction can be another matter. While ISTJs are able to provide surprisingly good emotional support, this only happens when they realize that it’s necessary, and there’s the rub. As Thinking (T) types, ISTJs are not naturally receptive to others’ emotions, not unless they are stated clearly, and a partner usually only says "I’m angry" when it’s too late to address the initial grievance.

Let Your Heart Feel Their Afflictions, and Give Proportionally

People with the ISTJ personality type can get so caught up in the belief in their correctness, in "winning" arguments they thought were about facts, that they don’t realize their partner may have viewed things from a perspective of consideration and sensitivity. Especially with Feeling (F) partners, this can be a huge challenge for the relationship. Ultimately though, ISTJs’ senses of responsibility and dedication set the tone, and they spare no effort in noting to this distinction moving forward, the consequences having been demonstrated as real.

While ISTJs’ staid approach may seem boring to some, there is an undeniable attractiveness to it, though felt perhaps more by respect and admiration than emotional passion. ISTJs’ shells hide a strong and quiet determination and reliability, rare among other personality types, which can benefit even the flightiest personalities, allowing them to stay connected to the real world while still exploring new territory. Partners who share the Observant (S) trait are the best fit for ISTJ personalities, with one or two opposing traits to create balance and to expand ISTJs’ sometimes overly isolated world, such as partners with Extraverted (E) or Prospecting (P) traits.


ISTJ Friends

ISTJ friends are not spontaneous. They are not talkative, or particularly playful in their affection. What ISTJ friends are is loyal, trustworthy, honorable and dependable. Others may come and go with the ups and downs of life, but ISTJs stay by their friends’ sides no matter what, with a deepness of commitment that other types may not even believe is possible.

True Friendship Is a Plant of Slow Growth

ISTJs are a very methodical personality type, and this loyalty isn’t given away lightly. Often slow to make friends, ISTJs usually end up with a smaller circle, but they consider that circle to represent a promise to be there for the people they care about, and ISTJs’ promises are not easily broken.

These actions convey a sensitivity that many fail to see, but it is a quality that ISTJs’ friends come to admire and depend on in the long years of their friendships.

But all of this sounds terribly serious, and indeed it only shows the one side of ISTJs and their approach to their friendships. The other side knows how to stop being quite so staid, and especially in the company of joyful and talkative Extraverts (E), ISTJs enjoy relaxing and having fun with a good discussion about work, life, and current events.

People with the ISTJ personality type don’t like conflict, and this applies to how they select their friends as well. Seeking out friends with similar principles and opinions, ISTJs most often befriend other Sentinels, who are likely to share their perspective and world vision. While they are unlikely to become friends with substantially different types – it simply takes too much energy to bridge the communication gap – ISTJ personalities still recognize and appreciate others’ strengths and qualities.

Knowledge Is the Surest Basis of Happiness

In fact, as if to prove the point, ISTJs almost always have at least one Intuitive (N) friend in their inner circle, despite the disconnect the two perspectives bring. These are very much relationships built not on mutual understanding, but out of respect for their mutual differences. ISTJs marvel at Intuitives’ breadth of thought, being very much in tune with their own intelligence, while Intuitives admire ISTJs’ realism and dependability, something they are often hard-pressed to find in themselves. Knowledge, as always, is the great equalizer.


ISTJ Parents

As parents, people with the ISTJ personality type are often the most comfortable. Their sense of responsibility and honor blends well with a tradition that has been in place since time immemorial: to raise one’s children to be respected, contributing members of home and society. As with most commitments, ISTJs do not take their roles as parents lightly, and will make it their work to ensure that this tradition is upheld to the highest standard.

This doesn’t always come easily for their children though, as ISTJs tend to be strict, with high standards and expectations. ISTJ personalities establish stable, clearly structured environments for their children, always with an eye on helping them to develop a sense of place in society, and to fulfill useful roles.

A clear sense of hierarchy is a part of developing this identity, and ISTJs work just as much to ensure an appropriate respect for authority as they do with family and societal structure.

All this loyalty, devotion and structure are of little use though when ISTJs’ children need the warmth of emotional support. While ISTJs can be sensitive towards those they care about in their own way, it’s hard for younger children and especially adolescents to recognize this tough love for the love that it is. Often ISTJs need to rely on a more sensitive partner to fill this role and mediate between rational purpose and the more ethereal sense of emotional well-being.

Success Is Owed to Our Parents’ Moral and Intellectual Teachings

People with the ISTJ personality type are strongly principled, valuing patience and hard work, qualities children often struggle with. Nevertheless, ISTJs’ children are expected to meet these standards and share these values, for their own good. This approach often bears its fruit in the long run, but ISTJs must keep in mind that their approach creates natural barriers and distance that often leave their children wondering if they’re on the same team.

Taken too far, or with mutual stubbornness, this may even set in as a permanent state in the relationship, something both ISTJ parents and their children ultimately regret. It is best for ISTJs to embrace and hold to their own values, but to also recognize that each person has their own goals, and to meet their children halfway in attaining theirs. Combining their natural devotion and purpose with this flexibility in support of their children’s own vision leads to a sense of mutual respect and accomplishment that any ISTJ parent would be proud of.


ISTJ Careers

While many personality types may be comfortable with flexible work as consultants and sole proprietors, ISTJs are much more focused on building long-term, stable careers. That’s not to say that ISTJs can’t do that sort of work – many find themselves thinking about what’s on the other side of those cubical walls – but what they crave is dependability, and that is reflected in their choice of work perhaps more so than in any other part of their lives.

Have No Other View Than to Promote the Public Good

The facts support this, as the most common careers among people with the ISTJ personality type revolve around institutions of respected tradition, authority, security, and established consistency. Careers as military officers, lawyers, judges, police officers and detectives are all very popular among ISTJs. This makes sense, as they not only offer the stability that ISTJs seek, but are in line with their principles and conservatism, establishing clear societal roles.

ISTJs of course aren’t limited to these organizations – there are many other roles that utilize their reliability, objectivity and sharp eyes. When facts and logic are out of place, ISTJ personalities swoop in as the accountants, auditors, data analysts, financial managers, business administrators and even doctors that identify, report and correct the issues at hand.

Most of these careers have ISTJs working alone, which is usually their preference, but when teams are necessary, they are best defined by clearly outlined roles, responsibilities and work environments.

Nothing is quite so challenging for ISTJs as ongoing debates about who is responsible for what, resulting in work that’s shoddily assembled – or worse, incomplete.

ISTJs have strong opinions about how things should be done, and if things are shuffled too often, people with this personality type can become surprisingly vocal about their opposition. It’s important for ISTJs to remember that even the most traditional and stable career paths can and need to change as time goes by. It is much better to accept this with grace than to develop reputations of being enemies of new ideas.

Business Discourse Should Be Short and Comprehensive

ISTJs may also struggle with the increasingly open and social requirements of modern work life. Being somewhat bad at sensing others feelings, ISTJs’ "just the facts" attitude can be downright alienating when it comes to more sensitive personality types. This applies not just to coworkers but to customers as well – service positions like retail sales and waiting tables, as well as more emotionally demanding careers such as psychiatry are, generally speaking, a terrible fit.

The ideal career paths feature a trend: they place facts above feelings and allow ISTJs to uphold the hard standards that are the backbone of society. Rules are the basis for everything people take for granted about modern life, from the social contract that smooths relationships, to the laws that protect peoples’ most basic safety, to the constitutions and treaties that govern nations. People with the ISTJ personality type take on roles as the defenders of these ideas, in big ways and small, and are rightfully proud of it.


ISTJ in the Workplace

When it comes to the workplace, ISTJs are almost a stereotype for the classic hard-working, dutiful employee. In all positions, the ISTJ personality type seeks structure, clearly defined rules, and respect for authority and hierarchy. Responsibilities aren’t burdens to ISTJs, they are the trust that has been placed in them, an opportunity to prove once again that they are the right person for the job.

On the other hand, the change that comes with assuming those new responsibilities, or in losing old ones, is often a significant struggle for ISTJs. This presents itself differently in different positions of authority, but it is one of ISTJs’ most significant challenges to overcome. The usual insensitivity common to all Thinking (T) types is also a running theme here, something many people with the ISTJ personality type choose to focus on in their personal and professional development.

ISTJ Subordinates

ISTJs crave responsibility, which makes them the go-to subordinates for odds and ends and unpopular projects. Often seen as jacks of all trades, ISTJ personalities can competently tackle any project that comes with a manual. On the other hand, this makes them reluctant to give up responsibilities even when they are overburdened, or when there are better people for the job. The seriousness in ISTJs’ approach to their work makes them surprisingly sensitive to criticism, leading to a sometimes vexing level of inflexibility.

Their stubbornness aside, or perhaps because of it, ISTJs are quite possibly one of the most productive subordinates – they respect authority and hierarchy, and have no problem following orders and instructions. Punctuality is unlikely to ever be an issue, either in terms of showing up to work on time, or in terms of meeting project deadlines. While ISTJs may need clearly set steps and well-defined responsibilities, they are exceptionally loyal, dedicated, meticulous and patient in completing their work.

ISTJ Colleagues

Among colleagues, no one can be trusted more to ensure that projects are finished on time and by the book than ISTJs. Quiet and methodical, people with the ISTJ personality type keep cool when the going gets tough, but expect their colleagues to share their approach. Significantly different types, especially more emotional ones, baffle ISTJs with their need for emotional support and openness, or capacity for dropping something, half finished. To ISTJs, either something’s been done right or it’s been done wrong, and sugarcoating it or walking away isn’t going to fix it.

ISTJs value peace and security in the workplace, and the easiest way for this to happen is for them to simply work alone. Innovations, brainstorming, theories and new ideas all disrupt this comfortable state, and it takes a great deal of respect on ISTJs’ part to acknowledge their validity. Once the details have been laid out and a plan of implementation established though, ISTJs are an indispensable part of the team in putting these ideas into practice.

ISTJ Managers

ISTJs love responsibility and the power resulting from it. Pressing themselves hard to meet their obligations, ISTJs regularly go above and beyond their duties, and expect their subordinates to act with the same level of dedication. At the same time, ISTJs’ preference for doing things by the book, adherence to hierarchy, and general aversion to innovation makes their subordinates ride a very thin line when they do – stepping out of bounds must be backed up with just the facts, and results.

It is said that it is better to do first and ask permission later – it’s difficult to say whether this applies to ISTJs, as they are very intolerant of their subordinates’ failures to meet their obligations, and one of those obligations is to stick to the plan. Believing that truth, at least as far as they see it, is more important than sensitivity, ISTJ personalities are capable of laying down hard criticism, and their willingness to make tough decisions can make perceived insubordination the final trespass.


ISTJ Personality – Conclusion

Few personality types are as practical and dedicated as ISTJs. Known for their reliability and hard work, ISTJs are good at creating and maintaining a secure and stable environment for themselves and their loved ones. ISTJs’ dedication is invaluable in many areas, including their own personal growth.

Yet ISTJs can be easily tripped up in areas where their practical and methodical approach are more of a liability than an asset. Whether it is finding (or keeping) a partner, learning to relax or improvise, reaching dazzling heights on the career ladder, or managing their workload, ISTJs need to put in a conscious effort to develop their weaker traits and additional skills.

My First Full Marathon Experience

When SCKLM opened for registration, I was contemplating whether to register for FM or 10km, as I've ran HM twice. My aim was to collect medals from all categories. When I found out that the cut off time for FM was 7 hours, I decided to give it a try & that was one of the craziest thing I've ever done...

Usually I can sleep early especially when I was tired but I couldn't sleep the night before. I went to bed at 18:40 but I think I slept at 22:++, that also, was not deep sleep. I think I was nervous & excited as it's gonna be my VFM. I don't remember having sleeping problem for Newton 30km two weeks ago, which was also my first attempt.

Having rested for about 3 hours, I got myself ready for the run. My net time should be about 4 minutes later from the gun time. Up to KM 8-9, I was able to keep up with Pacer for 06:30 hours. This was something new & I think I shouldn't have done that cuz that's much faster than my normal pace, I should have kept with my own pace, maybe I'll do better. I was able to stay in between Pacer 06:30 hours & 07:00 hours up to KM 27-28.

The crucial checkpoint was at KM 31 & I managed to reach about 8 mins before they close that checkpoint. This was when everything started to slow down 😔

The weather was scorching hot & we passed by Bukit Tunku which was quite a hilly route & although I tried to pick up when we were going downhill, I was few minutes late & therefore I was categorised as DNF.

I didn't manage to complete my VFM & will try better the next round. 37km was not easy either so I'm still proud of myself :) I didn't choose to give up but was forced to give up, & I believed that I would be able to complete the race within the cut off time, albeit a close call.

I still get the Medal & Finisher T; had I completed the race this would be my 28th medal (28 is my birthday date :) )

The Medal & Finisher T would serve as a reminder that I've come thus far in my journey as a runner (Did I just call myself a runner? 😶). I guess it took me a lot of courage to register & appear on race day & try my best to complete the course.

Ganbatte! Hope the next round I post on FM, I'll be able to officially declare that I'm a marathoner:D 

 

Runners don't give up~~

 

 

Me with the medal :)

With Wendy who came to support us & Zihao who had completed his VFM :)

 

 

 

My Name

I have always been proud of my name: Chan Weng Yin, Alice.

My surname is Chan (陈), & I am a Guangxi. My Chinese name is Weng Yin (永颖) (Mandarin: Yong Ying; Cantonese: Weng Weng), Weng (永) means "forever" & Yin (颖) means "clever/gifted". 

I thank my parents for giving me such a great and beautiful name. My English name, Alice, is not registered in my Identity Card, and is given by my brother, it means noble/truthful. 

I still love it when people call me by my Chinese name, be it in English or in Chinese.Nowadays people call me Alice more often, simply because it's easier to pronounce. 

Alice 也好, 永颖也好, Weng Yin 也好, I am still me ~ Alice Weng Yin Chan

I did it :)

Firstly, to thank my jogging & marathon kaki for encouraging & supporting me all along, especially Wan Theng, Zihao & Rachel Chong :)

My aim last year was to collect 10 medals in total after realising that I've collected 6 thus far back then & this year, I aimed to collect 10 medals in a year. I was not sure if this was crazy nor was I sure if I could achieve it & now I'm happy to shout out that "I did it! " :)

Running had indeed changed my life! I'm healthier & it helps me to release stress (imagine stomping your feet on whatever that caused the stress in you) & it also helps to clear my mind (being few hours on the road, with close to zero distraction is a good way to clear the cobwebs in mind).

20 medals over a span of 3.5 years since June 2012:)

Description from top left:

Year 2012 - 30km

TM Fan Run - 8km

BSN Night Run - 10km

Newton Challenge - 12km

Year 2013 - 57km

Brooks Marathon - 21km

SCKLM - 21km

Newton Challenge - 15km

Year 2014 - 78km

SCKLM - 21km

PBIM - 21km

New Balance - 21km

Newton Challenge - 15km

Year 2015 - 160.2km

100 Plus Run - 12km

Malaysia Women Marathon - 21km

Shape Night Run - 11. 2km

3R International Marathon - 21km

Sg Long Fun Run - 10km

ASEAN Unity Run - 21km

PJ Half Marathon - 21km

Lion Charity Run - 12km

NB Home Run - 16km

Newton Challenge - 15km

Total distance - 325.2km

Total Half Marathon - 9

This year, due to haze, I missed SCKLM & BSN Night Run & due to the condition of my knee, I forgo PBIM (full marathon).

I wish I'll be able to complete one full marathon to qualify myself to be called a marathoner :)

P.S. Photo is blur, paiseh :p

My Personality [I]: Introverted- obServant - Thinking - Judging [ISTJ] Personality

Breakdown of preferences: Mind - Introverted (47%), Energy - Observant (13%), Nature - Thinking (7%), Tactics - Judging (9%), Identity - Turbulent (13%).

ISTJ Personality

"My observation is that whenever one person is found adequate to the discharge of a duty… it is worse executed by two persons, and scarcely done at all if three or more are employed therein." -- George Washington

The ISTJ personality type is likely to be the most popular one (around 13% of the population). “Only the facts, please” is their motto. ISTJ personalities respect facts greatly and tend to accumulate a lot of information in their own memory. One of the key contributing factors is their Observant (S) trait, which allows ISTJs to analyse the surroundings quite effortlessly.

Due to their straightforward approach, ISTJs may encounter difficulties when it becomes necessary to comprehend a competing theory or idea. However, people with this personality type are nearly unstoppable if they believe that a specific idea is valuable and can be implemented; they will consider it their duty to establish and maintain a smooth operation. As soon as the new procedure proves its usefulness (i.e., it becomes apparent that the new approach actually works), ISTJs will put in a lot of effort to enable its successful implementation, even at the expense of their own health.

ISTJs tend to be extremely thorough, always checking the facts and not assuming anything. ISTJs are also respected for their exceptional loyalty to their duty. Their accuracy, patience, and ability to concentrate make them ideal employees in many professions. Not surprisingly, people with this personality type gravitate toward traditional, hierarchical institutions—public service, law, military, etc.

ISTJ personalities spend an enormous amount of time and energy performing every task they see as important, especially if it contributes to the achievement of a specific goal. However, such a commitment also has a negative side: an ISTJ will refuse to budge and spend at least some of their time doing things that they do not see as meaningful or practical, e.g., some social rituals. ISTJ personalities prefer to do things alone, but they can also work as part of a team if necessary.

ISTJs enjoy being responsible for their actions and love the power that stems from this. They are usually jacks-of-all-trades, which can potentially lead to many significant achievements in diverse areas. ISTJs tend to be bright, logical, and wise individuals, characterized by their desire to seek a secure and stable life.

Like other Introverted (I) and Thinking (T) personalities, ISTJs are often (mistakenly) seen as indifferent and cold. Of course, it is understandably difficult for an ISTJ to reveal their emotions or express affection, but that does not mean that they have no feelings or are insensitive.

ISTJs are easily irritated by other people’s shortcomings. They see their own promises as sacred and cannot understand how someone could consciously fail to meet their obligations. This can be a significant disadvantage at times, as some people can abuse the ISTJ’s strong sense of duty by overloading them with work.

ISTJ personalities tend to keep their opinions to themselves unless someone asks them directly. People with this personality type are very direct; for them, the truth is always far more important than sensitivity. This ruthless judgment is irreplaceable in refereeing or legal work. Where other people might waver, the ISTJ will make the difficult decision while ignoring the emotional background.

ISTJs respect traditions and do their best to adhere to the existing rules and guidelines. In some cases, this trait can be so strong that the ISTJ will not break the rules, even when the consequences for breaking them pale in comparison to what would happen if those rules were followed.

ISTJs are not particularly good at listening to their own (and especially other people’s) feelings. Consequently, they may face difficulties when it is necessary to understand other people’s emotional needs. On the other hand, ISTJs rarely have any difficulties coping with emotionally charged situations. They can always keep a cool head and act rationally.

ISTJ Strengths and Weaknesses

ISTJ Strengths

* Jacks-of-all-trades. ISTJ personalities tend to be very observant and good with facts. They often know something about everything, and that internal encyclopedia often proves to be very useful in challenging situations. 

* Strong-willed and dutiful. ISTJs are willing to work very hard to make sure that they fulfill all their obligations. People with this personality type are patient and determined individuals who always keep the end goal in sight. 

* Very responsible. A promise means everything to an ISTJ. They would rather work overtime and lose sleep than fail to deliver the result that someone else is expecting. ISTJ personalities also tend to be extremely loyal, putting their duties above everything else. 

* Good at creating and enforcing order. ISTJs loathe chaos and always seek to come up with some kind of structure or a set or rules, regardless of what they do. They also do not shy away from enforcing the existing regulations and have zero tolerance for rule breakers. 

* Calm and practical. ISTJ personalities very rarely lose their temper, always approaching things from a calm and rational perspective. They believe that emotions should not be part of the decision-making process and always have their feet firmly on the ground. Not surprisingly, this also makes ISTJs quite resistant to criticism (in most situations). 

* Honest and direct. ISTJs strongly dislike mind games, reading between the lines, and emotional manipulation. They do not mince their words and prefer an inconvenient truth over a reassuring lie. 

ISTJ Weaknesses 

* Stubborn. ISTJs often find it difficult to accept a different opinion, especially if it is not based on easily verifiable facts. They also tend to be reluctant to accept changes or acknowledge that they were wrong, especially if that affects their lifestyle or habits. 

* Insensitive. ISTJ personalities prefer logic over emotions and often see the latter as irrational and distracting. Consequently, they may unknowingly hurt people who are more sensitive—e.g., Feeling (F) types. 

* Judgmental. From the ISTJ’s perspective, facts are all that matters. If someone is unwilling to accept those facts or simply does not know them, the ISTJ may find it difficult to respect that individual, especially if they refuse to acknowledge that their opinion is wrong. 

* Always by the book. People with the ISTJ personality type like having a clear set of rules and guidelines; however, this often results in them being reluctant to bend those rules or try something new. As already mentioned above, ISTJs cannot stand chaos and may feel lost and vulnerable in an unfamiliar, unstructured environment. 

* May often unreasonably blame themselves. Their strong sense of duty often makes it difficult for ISTJs to relax and stop overloading themselves with work. Sooner or later, the workload becomes unbearable, and then the ISTJ may feel terrible for failing to fulfill what they see as their duty. 

ISTJ Relationships and Dating

ISTJ personalities are dedicated and loyal partners, devoting an enormous amount of effort to ensure stability and mutual satisfaction in a relationship. They also tend to be very responsible and relatively conservative while dating. Once an ISTJ commits to a relationship, they will stick to their promise until the very end. People with this personality type gladly accept their duty to play a specific role in the relationship.

ISTJs approach relationships from their usual rational and traditional perspective. Dating an ISTJ may not be easy as they are likely to need some encouragement and patience—ISTJs are Introverted (I), after all—but that shell often hides a strong and quiet determination and reliability that is rarely seen among other personality types.

ISTJ personalities are hard workers, and this covers their relationships as well. They will do their best to fulfill their duties and keep the relationship functional and stable. ISTJs can easily take care of daily tasks, and they can also be surprisingly good at providing emotional support as soon as they realize that their partner needs this.

That being said, ISTJs tend to believe that their approach is always right, especially when they are faced with criticism. ISTJs should remember that “winning” the debate might often cause them to lose much more outside it, especially when it comes to a romantic relationship—and even more so when that relationship is still in the dating phase.

In general, ISTJs are not very good at sensing their partner’s feelings and emotions. This may cause some issues if their partner has a Feeling trait (F) as these personalities tend to expect a lot of emotional support, which does not come naturally to ISTJs. Every ISTJ who is in a romantic relationship, no matter if it is beyond the dating phase or not, should pay particular attention to this matter. ISTJ personalities are also likely to stick to traditional gender roles, feeling uncomfortable with anything out of the norm.

Preferred partners: ESFP and ESTP types, as their Extraversion (E) and Prospecting (P) traits counterbalance ISTJs’ Introversion (I) and Judging (J) traits.

ISTJ Friends

ISTJ friends may not be the most affectionate or talkative, but they will definitely be very loyal and trustworthy. People with this personality type tend to approach everything slowly and methodically, and this includes their friendships as well. An ISTJ may be slow to make a promise, but once they take that step, they will do everything they can to meet their commitments. Honor and loyalty are very important to ISTJs, especially where close friends are concerned.

ISTJ personalities are also likely to be quite sensitive among close friends, even though they may find it difficult to show affection. ISTJs prefer to convey such feelings through their efforts rather than words. That being said, ISTJs do not mind relaxing and having fun with joyful and talkative Extraverted friends, unlike many other Introverted types. The ISTJ’s patience is not unlimited, but they are definitely able to stop being serious every once in a while.

ISTJs usually seek friends who share similar principles and opinions. Consequently, they tend to drift toward other Sentinels (SJ) as these types are most likely to have a similar vision of the world. ISTJs are not close-minded, and they can certainly understand and appreciate the strengths of other personality types. However, they will rarely become close friends as ISTJ personalities are unlikely to be willing to expend the amount of energy required to bridge the differences. Perhaps surprisingly, ISTJs also tend to have at least one Intuitive (N) friend in their inner circle, even though they may find it difficult to connect with them on a deeper level due to the Intuitive (N) / Observant (S) communication barrier.

ISTJ Parents

ISTJ parents are likely to be strict, traditional, and very devoted. They will do their best to ensure that their children grow up in a stable and clearly structured environment, respectful of authority, and aware of their role and place within the society. ISTJ personalities are likely to enjoy parenthood as it gives them an excellent opportunity to contribute to the continuity and stability of their family, community, and society.

ISTJs may have difficulties meeting their children’s emotional needs as people with this personality type are not naturally sensitive. They will be very loyal and devoted, but recognizing and dealing with emotions is not something that an ISTJ is likely to feel comfortable with. This is where they may have to rely on their partner, especially if their child is quite emotional and sensitive.

ISTJ parents are also likely to have very high standards, in addition to being patient and hard-working. Naturally, they will expect their children to share these values as well. Such an approach will probably help their children succeed in life, but it may also create a distance between them and the ISTJ, especially during the adolescent years.

ISTJ Careers

Typical ISTJ careers are relatively easy to define, given that this personality type is very consistent and traditional. This article will give you a general idea of what career paths would be best for an ISTJ. As always, please bear in mind that these are simply tips and suggestions based on the traits shared by most ISTJs. Please feel free to leave us a message below if you have any comments, suggestions or ideas.

One of the key ISTJ personality traits is their respect for tradition, authority, and security. Most of the typical ISTJ careers revolve around this trait; for instance, people with this personality type are commonly found in military or legal professions. Their strong principles and conservatism make ISTJs excellent lawyers, judges, or military officers. There are many other potential ISTJ career paths that utilise this trait as well; for instance, ISTJs are often found among police officers or detectives.

ISTJs are also very reliable, objective, and exceptionally sharp-eyed. Their love of facts and logic make them ideal accountants, auditors, data analysts, and business administrators. These are some of the most typical ISTJ careers, and people with this personality type truly excel in such roles. However, ISTJs tend to dislike change and have very strong opinions about how everything should be done. They should be aware of these traits and be careful with them to avoid being seen as enemies of new ideas. Even the most traditional and stable ISTJ career paths can and need to change as time goes by.

ISTJs enjoy working alone, but they can also function well in teams if their role requires them to. People with this personality type prefer structured and clear work environments, roles, and responsibilities. However, ISTJs are quite bad at sensing other people’s feelings. Their “just the facts” approach can easily alienate more sensitive and emotional personality types. For this reason, ISTJs tend to avoid customer-facing, academic, or emotionally demanding careers. However, they can be excellent accountants, financial managers, doctors, or computer programmers. These potential ISTJ career paths are very diverse, but they share one significant trait: they put facts above personal feelings, emotions, and social interaction, which are characteristic ISTJ weaknesses.

ISTJs in the Workplace

The ISTJ personality type is quite straightforward when it comes to its traits in the workplace. Quiet, reliable, and methodical—what else is there to know, you might ask? Yet there are certain characteristics that become apparent only at work, and this is why it is important to discuss how ISTJs act in a professional environment.

ISTJ Colleagues 

* Very trustworthy, but reluctant to open up 

* Want to do everything “by the book” 

* May find it difficult to express their emotions or offer emotional support to a colleague 

* Value peace and security in the workplace 

* Prefer working alone or with someone who has a similar personality type 

* Dislike brainstorming and theorizing, but enjoy putting ideas into practice 

* May find it quite difficult to acknowledge the validity of ideas that contradict their opinion unless they have a lot of respect for that person 

ISTJ Managers 

* Able and willing to make difficult decisions 

* Strongly opposed to breaking rules 

* Live by the “only the facts, please” motto, especially when it comes to requests from subordinates in the workplace 

* Love responsibility and the power resulting from it 

* Very intolerant of their subordinates’ failures to meet their obligations at work 

* Believe that truth is more important than sensitivity 

* Expect their subordinates to go above and beyond their duties, but may forget to praise them (though to be fair, ISTJs treat themselves in the same way) 

* May dislike changes and innovations 

ISTJ Subordinates 

* Exceptionally loyal, dedicated, and committed, but may also be quite inflexible 

* Very punctual 

* Likely to be “jacks-of-all-trades” 

* Respect authority and prefer traditional hierarchies at work 

* Meticulous and patient 

* Need to have a clear set of instructions and well-defined responsibilities 

* Sensitive to criticism if the matter is related to their duties in the workplace 

* May be very reluctant to give up, responsibilities even if it becomes apparent that another person is better suited for that task or if the workload becomes unmanageable 

Your dominant intelligence is the verbal-linguistic intelligence. This means you have well-developed verbal skills and vocabulary and are sensitive to the sounds, meanings, and rhythms of words. You always notice grammatical mistakes when reading or writing something, and tend to think of appropriate solutions. You most likely have (or want) and book collection, and maybe even a collection of quotes and sayings that you remembered over the years. You enjoy puns, rhymes, riddles, and word games. You probably enjoyed English class. You enjoy reading, writing, and foreign languages.

Some jobs that suit the verbal-linguistic intelligence type are:

-Writer

-Lawyer

-Editor

-Public speaker

-Novelist

-Journalist

-Comedian

-Philosopher

-Psychotherapist

-Politician

-Teacher

-Actor

ME ~ What I Dislike!

As we grow up, we would find out more about ourselves. Throughout the past few months, I guess I know what I dislike:

1) I dislike talking to myself a.k.a. self talk

2) I dislike talking to a wall

3) I dislike talking to an imaginary friend

4) I dislike not getting replies

5) I dislike being neglected

6) I dislike being rejected

7) I dislike being ignored

8) I dislike to be forgotten

9) I dislike the feeling of being unloved

10) I dislike when affections are not returned

11) I dislike myself for having negative feelings over the above ~

ME ~ Simple Yet Complicated

I always categorise myself as this ~ simple yet complicated. Why? I am a simple person yet I have a very complicated mind.

I tend to think and analyse a lot. For instance, there was once I wanted to buy a new bag. It was just a very simple red backpack with two [2] compartments. What were the things I was looking for?

1) Number of compartments (I love compartments)

2) Colour (I love red)

3) Material (Waterproof would be great)

4) Durability (This is an "investment")

5) et cetera

So I found my RED backpack. Although the bag had only two [2] compartments but because I love the overall design, items 1 and 2 above were fulfilled. Next, although I knew that the material was waterproof, I asked the Sales Assistant (SA) to confirm the same; so item 3 checked. My next question to the SA was, "How long can the bag last? Could it support if I put in a lot of things?" Blah, blah, blah!

The next question the SA asked me was, "If you don't mind, may I ask, what course are you taking? Journalism? Are you going to be a reporter?"

Me: "No, I study law. Why?"

SA: "You ask a lot of questions."

Me: ...

So you see, just a simple backpack, which is not expensive and I asked tonnes of questions. In the end I bought it because I have already made up my mind to buy it from the start but I just wanted to "confirm" my concerns. Haha, that sounds like a waste of time right? Well, not to me though because it is "important" to me :)