The Life Lesson You Teach the World, Based On Your Myers-Briggs® Personality Type

Do you ever notice that certain people have just the right words to say when you need empathy and solidarity? And have you ever noticed that you go to other people when you need help troubleshooting a problem or getting things done? Each of the 16 Myers-Briggs® personality types has a life lesson they can teach us or an area of advice they wish people would ask them for. What is that for you? Let’s get started so you can find out!

Want to find out what your personality type is? Take our new personality questionnaire here. Or you can take the official MBTI® here.

Estimated reading time: 13 minutes

The Life Lesson Each Myers-Briggs® Personality Type Can Teach Us

The ENFP

“Stay curious and question everything. Ask for what you want and live with the realization that when one door closes, another one always opens.”

ENFPs believe in reaching for the stars and going against the grain in order to find their true purpose in life. Rather than accepting rules and authoritative statements at face value, they question everything and search for meaning. They’ll encourage you to think outside the box and look for solutions in places that aren’t obvious. Their curiosity and hunger for knowledge will inspire you to question things and look deeper. When life seems chaotic, ENFP‘s work to find the hidden lesson within it. They believe that in the midst of chaos there is always opportunity, and this is what they’ll remind you of when you’re feeling stuck or overwhelmed.

Read This Next: 7 Reasons Why You Need an ENFP Friend in Your Life

The ENTP

“Keep an open mind and approach life like a scientist. Think, fail, learn. Don’t be afraid of failure. That’s where the real lessons lie. Realize that your life is an experiment and you can live without fear or regret.”

ENTPs are the ultimate life-hackers. They see the world as a series of exciting challenges that needs to be overcome and they’re always on the lookout for new opportunities to learn and grow. They have ceaselessly curious minds and are always open to new information, no matter how crazy it sounds. They don’t believe in failure- only in learning from what didn’t work. This is a valuable lesson for anyone, but especially for those who tend to be perfectionists. They’ll encourage you to take risks, experiment, and always be learning. The world is your lab and there are no rules except the ones you make up yourself.

Read This Next: 10 Things That Terrify ENTPs

The INFP

“Take time for yourself. Honor your feelings, your intuition, and your inner voice. Learn to trust yourself and be comfortable in your own skin.”

INFPs are often deeply empathic – they feel the emotions of others so deeply that they can often lose sight of their own needs. They are champions of individualism and self-expression and believe in living life according to your own values and principles. They’ll encourage you to take time for yourself- to relax, recharge, and connect with your innermost self. They know that in order to be there for others, you first need to be there for yourself. They’ll also remind you that it’s okay to be different and that you should never change who you are in order to fit into someone else’s idea of what is “normal”.

Read This Next: 25 Quotes That INFPs Will Instantly Identify With

The INTP

“You’re a student of life, for life. Your one objective, then, is to keep learning, evolving, and transforming your mind.”

INTPs are perpetual students; whether they’re in the classroom or teaching themselves from home. They see life as one big learning opportunity and they’re always looking to expand their knowledge base. Seeking truth, questioning the norms, and analyzing the world around them is what drives them. They’ll encourage you to always be learning, growing, and evolving. The world is a fascinating place and there’s always more to learn. Don’t get bogged down in the details- focus on the big picture and keep learning about everything that interests you.

Read This Next: 10 Things That Excite the INTP Personality Type

The ENFJ

“The meaning of life is to find your gift. The purpose of life is to give it away.” – Pablo Picasso

ENFJs believe that everyone has special gifts and talents that are simply waiting to be harnessed and used to their fullest potential. They often consider themselves mentors, leading people to achieve their potential and embrace their authentic selves. They’ll encourage you to find your passion and use it to make a difference in the world. “Don’t be afraid to dream big and think outside the box” will probably be a common theme. ENFJs believe that we all have the potential to make a difference and they’ll be there to support you every step of the way.

The ENTJ

“Action is the key to the life you want. Rather than ruminating, complaining, and making excuses, take action even if you risk something. One step ahead is always better than being stuck.”

ENTJs are go-getters. They live by the motto “The secret of getting ahead is getting started.” Instead of waiting around for things to happen, they take control of their lives and propel themselves forward. They’ll encourage you to stop procrastinating and get moving. They know that it’s better to take some action and learn from your mistakes than to sit around and do nothing at all.

Read This Next: The ENTJ Personality Type and the Enneagram

The INFJ

“There is no greater gift than the gift of understanding.”

INFJs have a special ability to understand people and see things from their perspectives. In fact, it’s so easy for them to perspective-shift that they can find themselves empathizing with the villains in movies, the annoying drivers they pass on the road, or an opposing political party. They’ll encourage you to open your heart and see things from other people’s points of view. They’ll also encourage you to seek understanding in the bigger picture of life: To look for meaning rather than material wealth and significance rather than fame.

Read This Next: 24 Signs You’re an INFJ, the Mystic Personality Type

The INTJ

“When you play the quick game you win small. It’s better to play the long-game. Be impatient with your actions, but be patient with your results.”

INTJs know that in order to achieve their goals, they need to be strategic and take a long-term view. They’ll encourage you to be patient and not get discouraged. Rome wasn’t built in a day, and your dreams won’t come true overnight. But if you stay focused and keep working towards your goals, you’ll eventually reach them. For the INTJ, timing is everything, and they’ll help you to stay the course and overcome obstacles that might get in your way. They’ll help you keep your eye on the big picture.

Read This Next: 24 Signs That You’re an INTJ, the Strategist Personality Type

The ESFP

“You grow rich when you seek new experiences, not material things.”

ESFPs are meaning seekers. But rather than seeking meaning in abstract or complicated pathways, they look for the meaning that can be derived from the moment they’re in. They’ll encourage you to let go of your worries and stresses, and just enjoy life. The world is a beautiful place and there’s no need to rush through it.

The ESTP

“Life is all about taking risks and seizing opportunity. If you’re not living on the edge, you’re taking up too much space.”

ESTPs believe that life is meant to be lived to the fullest. They live for adventure and excitement, and they know that you can’t experience true happiness if you’re constantly playing it safe. Being smart, thinking fast, and taking intelligent risks are all part of the ESTP’s DNA. They’ll encourage you to take calculated risks and not be afraid to seize opportunity. They know that fortune favors the bold.

The ISFP

“Self-love is born from self-acceptance and self-awareness. And the only way to attain all three is through solitude—how else can you create the space to look inside yourself?”

ISFPs are introspective. They believe that in order to understand who they are and what they want in life, they need to look within themselves. They’ll encourage you to take some time for yourself, without the distractions of the outside world. Find a quiet place where you can be alone with your thoughts. The more you get to know yourself, the more you’ll find your true passion, make better decisions, and create the life you were meant to live.

Read This Next: 24 Signs That You’re an ISFP, the Virtuoso Personality Type

The ISTP

“Assumptions are the mother of all screw-ups. Don’t make assumptions, and always test your hypothesis.”

ISTPs are dedicated to accuracy and precision in everything they do. They believe that it’s better to be proactive and test your assumptions than to make a mistake based on faulty information. They’ll encourage you to slow down, think things through, and test your hypotheses before making a judgment. They know that some of the biggest problems in the world come from people judging too fast, being too sure of themselves, and relying on logical fallacies to pave their way. Encouraging you to think for yourself and to question everything (even your own assumptions) is one of the ISTP’s biggest gifts.

Read This Next: 10 Things You Should Never Say to an ISTP

The ESFJ

“Take care of the people you love. It’s more important than anything else in life.”

ESFJs are naturally focused on taking care of the people around them and creating a life that positively impacts their families or communities. They’ll encourage you to put other people first and to give second chances. They know that nothing is more important than love and relationships. And they’ll help you to build healthy, supportive relationships with the people you care about most.

The ESTJ

“Work steadily towards your goals, create more than you consume, and master a skill that will make you valuable.”

ESTJs believe in hard work, dedication, and a never-give-up attitude. They know that success doesn’t come easy, and it’s not handed to you on a silver platter. You have to work for it. And they’ll encourage you to do the same. They want you to be productive, create value in the world, and become a master of your craft. They know that when you’re valuable and irreplaceable, you can’t help but be successful.

Read This Next: The Top 7 Gift Ideas for ESTJs

The ISFJ

“It’s the small moments that give life magic. Don’t rush through life, take the time to experience the little things deep within your soul.”

ISFJs know that it’s the small moments that make life so special. They encourage you to slow down, enjoy life, and take in all the beauty around you. They know that when you rush through life, you miss out on all the good stuff. The world is a magical place, and they want you to experience that magic firsthand without worrying about what’s around the corner.

Read This Next: 24 Signs That You’re an ISFJ, the Protector Personality Type

The ISTJ

“Learn from those who have gone before you, and find a way to streamline their teachings.”

ISTJs are natural learners and they believe in taking the time to extract lessons from those who have come before them. They want you to find the morsel of wisdom in history, lived experiences, and the methods others have worked hard to achieve. They know that when you learn from those who have come before you, it’s easier to avoid making the same mistakes and find a shortcut to success.

Read This Next: 24 Signs That You’re an ISTJ, the Detective Personality Type

What Are Your Thoughts?

What special life lesson have you learned from the other personality types? What life lessons have you given others? Let us and other readers know in the comments!

Explore more about your personality type in our eBooks, Discovering You: Unlocking the Power of Personality Type,  The INFJ – Understanding the Mystic, The INTJ – Understanding the Strategist, and The INFP – Understanding the Dreamer. You can also connect with me via Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter!