Personality Connect

Not every personality type has the same idea of perfection. Some take perfection as a moral ground as opposed to achieving a certain status level or tangible items. For example, ESTJ’s do not typically worry if they’re good enough. Perfection for them is very personal and they want to meet their own goals, however this does not mean they don’t care about other people. It just means they naturally follow the survival of the fittest concept and lean towards that mentality. On the other hand INFJ’s worry about being good enough and seek to improve the world.

In Part I of Chasing Perfection you’ll learn more about how Sensing types seek perfection in their lives. Scroll down to read more! Part II will highlight Intuitors pursuit of perfection.

ESTJ: ESTJ’s are typically status-oriented. Portraying a certain image in public is very important to them and they strive to make sure everyone is within the guidelines, adhering to strict rules and principles because if they aren’t – well then they’re not going to achieve perfection. It’s typically all work and no play for ESTJ’s when it comes to accomplishments and desiring to get ahead in society. This doesn’t necessarily need to be on a large scale; it could be confined to their close circle of friends and family in needing to paint this “perfect” image. If they haven’t balanced their priorities and managed their aspirations well, then it can be very stressful for anyone who is expected to maintain this “perfect” image projected by the ESTJ.

ISTJ: Similar to the ESTJ but are typically more concerned about image rather than status. Whereas ESTJ’s want both, ISTJ’s believe it’s more important to maintain a certain image. If they have a family then they want their family to appear like pristine law-abiding citizens that are contributing positively to society – OR ELSE!! They may go through great lengths to try and obtain the perfect image – even if that means covering up shady activity or denying hypocritical behaviors. ISTJ’s want to help other people and seem like good Samaritans, not necessarily because they want to genuinely help others, but because they want to appear “perfect” in the eyes of others.

ESTP: ESTP’s could care less about perfection – perfection? Whatever. Lol….moving along. Okay in all seriousness, ESTP’s are not concerned about perfection because they know there’s no such thing as perfection. Their version of being perfect is to understand life is not perfect and to move on from failures and setbacks instead of beating themselves up for not being successful.

ISTP: Like ESTP’s, ISTP’s really aren’t concerned about being perfect. However they may experience fleeting thoughts or sentiments that it would be nice to see improvement in certain areas of life. For example, finances, romantic relationships, or work. To them, achieving perfection is not about being perfect, but being content with what they have and making it work for them. To them, this is being “perfect”.

ESFJ: ESFJ’s like their STJ counterparts, tend to lean towards image and status. Due to the feeling component their desire to obtain these goals does not look as cutthroat and piercing on the outside. However, for family members of ESFJ’s, make no mistake, they want a certain image displayed to the world. Guilt trip follows if it’s not met. Being perfect is about doing things right and not messing up along the way. That’s a tall order because no one can get everything right all the time.

ISFJ: Like ESFJ’s, ISFJ’s strive for perfection in their personal life. They are concerned about how they look and what others think about them on a personal level than a collective level (family). If their family members are falling into line then that’s an added plus but unlike the ESFJ, they don’t necessarily impose their values on others. However, if paired with stricter, traditional values – such as fundamental beliefs, they can be along the lines of ESFJ’s and appear to be high and mighty… in a quieter way.

ESFP: ESFP’s like the idea of perfection, but like ESTP’s they know it doesn’t exist. Therefore their desire to be perfect may show up like the ISTP’s version of wanting to be more content or having a certain area in their life more organized and “together”. For them it is not really important to be perfect as it is to achieve a fulfilling life and give back to others.

ISFP: ISFP’s have a weird relationship with perfection. On the outside they act like they don’t really care about social norms, career success, and looking perfect. However on the inside they secretly wish they could have it more together. However, they realize at the end of the day this is not what is important to them in life and they go about their merry business. For ISFP’s, being “perfect” is more in line with having satisfaction about who and what they have in life – if they are enjoying their job and relationships around them.