INFJ self-improvement

If you are an INFJ, you likely find yourself living a life of assessing and reassessing. You constantly reach for more or better, trying to be the best you can be! And you never escape that nagging feeling that you just need to improve yourself a little bit more.

Don’t get me wrong – it can be great! In fact, it’s made you who you are today. You may have even tamed your nagging voice to work to your advantage, motivating you to live the life you’ve always dreamed. You may accomplish goals and feel satisfied with a job well done, as you rightfully should.

BUT for some it can be a nuisance. The nagging voice can say “you’re not good enough” or “you need to achieve more”. It can become an insatiable void that never gets filled. Some may start to live their lives trying to ignore or silence the voice that brings them down.

Don’t give up, there is hope!

As an INFJ and HSP (highly sensitive person), I can be intense, a perfectionist, have high standards for others and myself. I am also often looking to grow, evolve and improve myself. At times, the amount of improvements I want to make can get overwhelming and cause the opposite effect – avoiding it altogether.

Here are 5 ways self-critical INFJs can silence the nagging voice of perfectionism and follow through on self-improvement goals.

1. Start a list

My go-to for most decisions. Laying out my options on paper helps me to “get out of my head” and feel in control. Try beginning with areas you want to improve and why (reasons help motivate change). Or make a pros and cons list to help you decide where to start.

2. Create S.M.A.R.T. goals

I learnt this little lovely during my child and youth care program.

S – specific
M -measurable,
A– attainable
R – realistic
T – time lined

It is important to use SMART goals to help you create achievable ones. Setting yourself up for failure is a sure fire way to avoid self-improvement. Break a big goal into mini goals to measure the progress you are making – and don’t forget to make a specific time line of what you want to complete when to help you measure your progress and stay on track!

3. Rewards, rewards, REWARDS!

Dearest INFJs, you spend so much time working hard, helping others and improving yourselves that you forget to reward yourself. It is important to take a step back from our busy lives to replenish our energies and find some time for fun.

So come up with a list (see step 1) of rewards that will motivate you. These don’t have to be expensive. I encourage self-care rewards, whatever that might mean to you! This can be playing with pets, candlelit bubble baths, spending time in nature, or taking time for yourself. In fact, one of your goals may be taking more time for self-care! This is very much needed to aid INFJs in living a healthy and happy life.

4. Make mistakes

Accept this, it will happen – we’re not perfect and that is okay! Laugh it off, give yourself permission to mess up. Don’t let it bring you down or stop you from trying. Acknowledge that in order to become the best version of yourself, there are going to be setbacks, mistakes and moments where you feel like giving up. That’s okay, that’s life, do it anyway.

5. Have fun!

This is your life, you are the one that is living it! Ensure that you choose goals that interest you, the ones that will help you be the happiest and most fulfilled version of yourself. Smile and thank yourself for taking this time to be open to the opportunity for self-improvement that is meaningful to you, or for just being open to new ideas.

Feel like sharing?

I would love to hear about your journey with self-improvement! Be it your achievements, setbacks or works in progress. They all make up who we are. What helps you? What hinders you?

Share your stories, friends.

With love, shine on. ♥

Ashley

P.S. You can read more of my INFJ reflections on my blog.

Ashley is a twenty-something INFJ who is on a journey to discover her purpose, all while trying to enjoy the present moment. She finds happiness in nature, animals, reading, writing, and connecting with like-minded people.