In the past, I have written about MBTI (the Myers Briggs Type Indicator). This is a very commonly used test used to determine cognitive style and also called a ‘personality test’. The MBTI parameters are also used as the first four metaprograms in the field of NLP. In this post, I look at how MBTI can be used to understand and deal with problems like procrastination.
MBTI
The MBTI originally began in the work of Carl Jung on the universal archetypes that run through humankind across cultures. Later, it was developed by Myers and Briggs into the standard form that is used today. The four parameters are given below.
- Extrovert – Introvert
- Intuitor – Sensor
- Thinker – Feeler
- Judger – Perceiver
When you do the test or a short form of the test, you get a four letter code that represents your cognitive style and preferences.
MBTI and Procrastination
Recently, I had an email from a friend in Canada asking about the procrastination tendencies of the INTP type and more specifically how to deal with them.
I waver somewhat between INTP and INFP but I’m definitely more in my T inclination rather than my F inclination at the moment, so the question resonated with me and I started thinking about my own ways to deal with procrastination.
Definitely, the link between INTP and procrastination has some basis in fact as evidenced by an online discussion on the topic.
I had never consciously thought about it, but my own INTP tendencies have led me to try to deal with procrastination in a sustainable way.
One solution to procrastination for the INTP
My own solution has been to set up an integrated system that holds everything. David Allen’s methodology of “Getting Things Done” totally appealed to me.The methodology of GTD is explained in his book of the same name.
One of the core ideas of the GTD methodology is to get everything out of your head and into a storage area. This frees up cognitive space and attention in a way that facilitates the INTP’s desire to play with many different ideas.
Another key point in the GTD methodology is to make everything actionable. INTP people love projects, but a ‘project’ can’t be done. It is too big and amorphous. Instead, it has to be broken down into actions. This goes against the INTP’s natural tendency to stay focused on the big picture rather than details.
My system of choice for dealing with procrastination is a Macintosh program called OmniFocus which can be used with the GTD methodology. As the name suggests, the program allows for ‘focus’ while still recognizing the whole system (Omni). OmniFocus is basically a large ToDo list program. All actions are classified by ‘project’ and by ‘context’ (where you do it, e.g. email, web, office, studio, supermarket, etc.)
Rationalization
Here’s my rationalization of why it works for me. I’m sure that there are other possible interpretations and good reasons for why OmniFocus and similar programs are so useful.
- It gets the INTP out of my head (too much I) by externalizing things to do (E).
- It makes use of the interrelationship between systemic elements (N) while still providing a forum for details by creating actions (S).
- It naturally fits in with the T orientation because everything is logically laid out and sorted.
- Actions are sequenced within ‘projects’ so there is a natural movement from P towards J.
Commitment to the System
To make it work, you need to completely buy into the system and commit to it. I use OmniFocus every single day. Every thought that I have about a project ends up in there so I can keep my head free. I have an iPhone version, an iPad version, and a mac version. They all sync seamlessly.
There are other programs that utilize the same methodology. For me, the key element is to really buy into the system, to get everything out of your head, and to work through it every day. It’s quite amazing how many things get done when we break them down into the Sensory actions that are required.