Quiet & A Force to be Reckoned With

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Hi friends,

I have learned through the comments that I have a community here that is not okay with injustice and ready to change the world.

I love it.

I also know many of us are quiet, introverted, and sensitive souls.

Although the author is unknown, there is a quote that has stuck with me-

Just because you are quiet, doesn’t mean you aren’t a force to be reckoned with.

 

Why You are Uniquely Designed to Change the World

I think there are some misunderstandings about us quiet, introverted, and sensitive types. That we wouldn’t be world changers or that we are passive.

Honestly, it is my quiet, introverted, and sensitive friends that I see a drive welling up inside of them to make change and stand up against injustice.

I would guess many of the readers of this blog might be an INFJ personality type on the Myers-Briggs. Or if not an INFJ, a personality type close to it. (If you don’t know what you are, you can take a test here).

So, why would an INFJ be a world changer? Let’s break it down.

Introverted:

Introverted souls think about things deeply. Therefore, if there is an injustice in the world, it is unlikely that they could just turn on the TV and forget about it. The injustice bothers them, which motivates them to want to make change.

Intuitive:

Intuitive types have a vision – there is a deep seated intuition that leads them. They care far more about what is deep and meaningful, rather than material possessions and the things of this world.

Feeling:

They are feeling people – which mean they care deeply about others and are in tune with the suffering of others.

Judging:

They do not passively sit back and allow whatever happens to happen – they form their opinion and feel conviction to act on it.

 

So, you can see why an INFJ personality type would be a “perfect storm” for a world changer.

And guess what, you are in good company.

Martin Luther King Jr. was an INFJ.

And so was Mother Teresa.

And if you take the test, and you are not an INFJ, as I said, you are probably something close to it – because you are here on this site – and motivated to live a meaningful life.

 

It is Time to use Your Superpower

This is the thing about the INFJ and similar personality types. In daily life – we feel like we can’t quite do anything right. It feels like everyone can do everything better than us.

But maybe, we are designed to do something different.

Maybe we have unique abilities that others don’t have, and now is the time to rise up and use these abilities to their truest calling.

Your quiet nature that causes you problems at work is suddenly the exact reason why you feel convicted to make change, and your thoughtful nature gives you the ability to see things from many perspectives, that others may not be able to.

Your feelings that are strong and overtake you causing depression and anxiety at times, are suddenly the same strong feelings that cause you to have deep empathy for those who are suffering right now.

Your judgmental and perfectionist thinking styles that cause you to feel like you are never good enough and no situation is ever good enough, is suddenly the very thinking style that identifies when something is not okay in the world and will not be okay until is changed.

 

You are 1% of the World’s Population

We have built a community here where we have discussed how our unique challenges show up in daily life and found support in knowing we are not the only ones that face these struggles.

And now we must realize that within that unique struggle, we also have an amazing superpower that not everyone else has.

And we have a responsibility to use it.

The INFJ personality type is the rarest type that exists.

It is literally 1% ofย  the world’s population.

(And the types that are similar to INFJ, are also very rare types.)

So, it is not a stretch to say, we are a unique.

We are very unique.

But this is why I encourage you to use this uniqueness wisely.

Don’t waste it.

Don’t waste your energy thinking about how you are different from others, or not as good at this or that, or too quiet, or whatever it is you think about that leads you into the negative spiral.

No, you have way too much potential for that.

Take that energy and pour it into your purpose, your cause, and your amazing abilities.

And if you struggle with low self esteem, you might be thinking,

What amazing abilities? I don’t have amazing abilities.

I know that you have amazing abilities. And I know you know that – if you really get honest with yourself.

 

Where Are You Being Called?

Where are you being called to use your gifts right now?

Do you have a unique ability to hear and understand different perspectives? Are you being called to talk to the other side to gain understanding, be a force of peace, and build a relationship in which you can gently teach others what you believe is right?

Are you passionately fired up right now? Do you love to write? Do you feel called to write a blog post of facebook post that brings a different kind of voice into the online world right now – a voice of hope, or grace, or conviction to others to make change?

Is there a creative project you could do that would help share the voices you feel are being unheard right now?

Do you need to develop a group of like minded friends to get together and be a force of change in your communities, neighborhoods, and cities?

Do you have a heart for the suffering? Do you need to find a place to volunteer for a people group you feel is being neglected in your country right now? Do you need to donate money to this cause? Do you need to use an artistic ability to help raise money?

Do you need to get to know the suffering people in your community? Do you need to invite them over for dinner? Do you need to bake them cookies and leave a note on their doorstep letting them know they are loved and valuable?

 

Only you know where you are called right now.

I can’t answer that for you.

Maybe as you were reading this, a thought kept popping up.

Is that where you are called? Is it time to act on that idea?

And if nothing came to mind, or you are unsure, I encourage you to spend time journaling about this and see what clarity comes to surface.

 

In Closing

You may be quiet.

You may be overlooked in our society.

But that doesn’t change, that you are a force to be reckoned with.

I hope you can believe me when I say this – there is honestly and truly something inside of you that makes you amazing, and a vessel of beautiful and hopeful change.

Don’t take this responsibility lightly.

 

Yours,

signaturesmaller

 

 

Journal Questions:

  1. Whether you are an INFJ, or a similar personality type, how does knowing this personality type give you insight into yourself and life?
  2. Do you believe you are a world changer? Do you believe you have a “unique superpower”? What are your superpowers and how might you use them?
  3. Where are you being called right now? What stood out while reading that section, or what idea came to mind? What action step do you need to commit to take?
  4. Are you willing to accept that you have a responsibility to live out your unique gifts to effect change in our world? How might you live differently if you accepted this truth?

 

P.S.

If you would like to read more on the INFJ personality type, you can do so here.

Also, I want you all to know you are very welcome to be “quiet readers” on my blog, but I do want to express that I really do think about what you post in the comments and this inspires and informs what I write about in my posts. I enjoy hearing what you are thinking about, working on, and struggling with – and I always want my message to be relevant for you and your life.

And one more thing before I go – I appreciate all of you who have said they are glad to see I am still writing. I had written that “Letter to You”post because I had not posted in 3 weeks and wasn’t sure when I was going to again. But, apparently, I still have a lot more to say.

Anyway, thank you to all of you who read, you guys really are wonderful. โค

11 thoughts on “Quiet & A Force to be Reckoned With

  1. I’m pretty sure that I’m an INFJ too, Nicole! I’ve taken lots of personality tests before, but I really appreciate how this one deals with many different parts of my personality, and how I process dealings with other people (IN), and my own internal dialogue (FJ). I want to read lots more about this, but thanks for posting it!

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    1. Hi Emily! We seem similar in many ways – so I would not be surprised if you are an INFJ too! ๐Ÿ™‚ I know I have learned a lot about myself in learning more about my personality type. It sounds like you have learned a bit about this in the past too – but let me know if you are looking for any more resources on it! Thanks again for reading!

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  2. Iโ€™m really glad you wrote about this Nicole! I found this blog about a week or so ago, when I was feeling despondent about 2016 in general: Iโ€™d lost a job this year, wasnโ€™t happy with the election, and kind of just felt in a rut. Reading how you talked about the strengths of being somebody like me โ€“ quiet, somewhat timid to talk, but with strong convictions, made me determined to make a difference! If I can ask, what do you think is a good place to get started โ€“ how did you go from determination to action?

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    1. Hi Katherine! I am so glad you have begun reading and I am excited to hear you are determined to make a difference! I would say for me, taking small steps first is how I am able to turn my determination into action. I just pick one small thing I can do and usually the momentum will build from that act. Also, I am part of a group of friends dedicated to making change, and I find it helpful to be a part of a community of other people committed to this, as it helps to keep me inspired to continue acting!

      Thank you for sharing your thoughts & question!

      Nicole

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  3. Hey Nicole – wanted to let you know that I really appreciated this post! I re-read a lot of your previous articles that I feel like I’d resonanted with deeply after reading this post, and it makes sense! If we’re both INFJs, a really rare personality type, then I wouldn’t come across many people who write in a way that I really connect with, not like another INFJ! But I’m glad I found this blog, and I’m also glad you’re so encouraging. I’ve felt like I wasn’t sure how to take action, and your posts feel like a breath of fresh air, like a “you can do this!”. Keep posting, Nicole ๐Ÿ™‚

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    1. Hi Addy!

      Thank you so much for sharing your feedback! It is so good to hear that the posts have been encouraging and motivating for you! I hope the insight on your personality type is helpful & I am excited about how you might “live meaningful” in this season of life!

      Stay in touch! ๐Ÿ™‚

      Nicole

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  4. Hey Nicole!

    I’m really interested in the Meyers-Briggs, I know I’m some kind of INF- I’ve gotten J one time and P the other time I took the quiz :). I’m really encouraged by articles about how personalities that are sometimes overlooked, like this one, can use their true potential! Especially with rare ones like the INFJ, I know it’s easy to feel like there’s something “wrong” with you, rather than seeing your particular strengths and weaknesses as part of your personality. Thanks again!

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    1. Hi Andi!

      I have a couple friends that have gotten both the P and the J before – I think these types are pretty similar! Glad you found this article encouraging – I know it’s always helpful for me to remember the strengths of my personality – rather than focusing on what could be negative. Thanks, as always, for sharing your thoughts & feedback! ๐Ÿ™‚

      Nicole

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  5. Hey Nicole!

    Just found this blog – I really love the ideas collected here! Just wanted to share you with that I was inspired reading about the positive we can see in the world, and the actions we can take as introverts. Thanks ๐Ÿ™‚

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  6. Hey Nicole!

    Really glad that I found this site – I’m still not sure what my goal is going to be, but reading this blog has inspired me to take some time out and find it. I know I can’t just keep going on knowing I’m supposed to be doing SOMETHING, but not sure what it is. Thanks for the encouragement, now I’ve just got to figure out how to find out what my purpose is! ๐Ÿ™‚

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