Extraverted Intuition (Ne) in Real Life (with Examples)
If your brain were a video game, Extraverted Intuition (Ne) would be the cheat code that lets you see every hidden path, possible side quest, and bonus round all at once. ENFPs and ENTPs, this is your reality. While most people are content with a single solution, your mind runs on What if… and Why not…? You’re always looking for a new connection, a different angle, a spark of something no one else noticed.
But what does that actually look like in everyday life? Let’s break it down by using real-life examples that anyone can visualize.
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So, What Is Extraverted Intuition, Really?
Think of Extraverted Intuition as a mental browser with 47 tabs open at once—each one a new possibility. While other types are busy following the map, you’re busy rewriting it. Instead of making quick judgments, you’re exploring every angle, asking, “But what if we did it this way instead?”
In short: Ne loves options. It wants to look at all the different paths, take none, and then create a few more just for fun. And sure, sometimes things get a little chaotic, but hey—chaos breeds creativity, right?
Personality Types That Use Extraverted Intuition:
Types that have an Intuitive-Perceiving preference use Extraverted Intuition (Ne) as the primary driver or co-pilot of their personality types. ENFPs and ENTPs have dominant Extraverted Intuition while INFPs and INTPs have auxiliary Extraverted Intuition.
Real-Life Examples of Extraverted Intuition
- The Energized Brainstormer: You’re in a meeting. Someone suggests a solution to a problem. You suggest 20. “We could make an app! Or what if we did a viral video? Or how about a podcast series with weekly giveaways and—wait, why not just do all of it?” You might terrify the more “by the book” types in the room, but someone’s gotta be the idea machine.
- The Flexible Traveler: Vacation itineraries? No thank you. You prefer to take adventure as it comes without a lot of detailed planning. “We could have a plain old ordinary Sunday….OR we could hop in the car and take an impromptu road trip to Area 51. Let’s look under the couch cushions and see if we can find some souvenir spending money!”
- The Spontaneous Chef: You’re in the kitchen, but following a recipe? Nah. Instead, you start throwing ingredients together based on a vague idea of what could work. “Okay, so if I add cinnamon to this pasta, and maybe a little honey… Ooh, let’s toss in some chili flakes for a kick. I bet it’ll be amazing!” Sometimes it’s a hit, sometimes it’s… experimental.
- Turning Problems into Possibilities: Faced with a crisis? No sweat. While others panic, you’re thinking, “Okay, hear me out… What if we turned this whole thing upside down and tried it a completely different way?” Sure, sometimes you get a raised eyebrow, but more often than not, you’ve just found a solution no one else saw coming.
- The “Yes, And…” Friend: In conversation, you don’t just listen—you build. Someone tells you they want to start a side business? Suddenly, you’re helping them design the logo, plan the social media campaign, and maybe open a second location. “Yes, and we could also host a pop-up event! Have you thought about franchising?” Your friends love your enthusiasm… mostly.
- Living in the Future: You’re not content with solving today’s problems—you’re already thinking ten steps ahead. “Sure, we can fix this now. But what’s our 5-year plan? What if we could totally disrupt the market?” You’re the person in meetings who’s half-planning for a project that doesn’t even exist yet.
- Making the Mundane Exciting: Folding laundry? Hard pass—unless you can turn it into an epic challenge. “I bet I can fold this entire basket in under two minutes. Wait… what if I sorted these by color first? And maybe I’ll organize my closet while I’m at it. Oh, wait, I found an old shirt—this gives me an idea for a new project!” Suddenly, your simple task of folding the laundry has sparked a groundbreaking startup idea!
- Inventing New Connections: At parties, you’re the person who connects the DJ with the guy who builds drones to start a new business. “You two should totally collaborate! And have you thought about adding a VR experience to that mix?” You’re always seeing how people, ideas, and things can merge into something brand new. This is where you thrive.
- The Improv Parent: Your kid asks you for a bedtime story, but instead of reading from a book, you start making up a wild tale on the spot. “Once upon a time, there was a pirate… but wait, he was also a time traveler! And he had a pet dragon. No, TWO dragons! And they were looking for a magic sandwich.” The story changes with each telling, and the kids never know what’s coming next.
In my experience with Extraverted Intuitives, I’ve found they’re just the people you need when all your usual solutions fail you. This is where they shine. “Doing it by the book won’t work? Awesome! Let’s brainstorm!” Thinking of ideas on the fly isn’t a hardship for them, whereas for me (an INTJ) I need time, space, and quiet to really do my best brainstorming. Introverted Intuitives (INFJs and INTJs) tend to need more concentration and focus to tap into their intuition, and their process is more about organizing ideas and looking for plausibility rather than generating more ideas. For the INxJ intuition is about narrowing possibilities down to one most likely result, whereas for ENxPs, intuition is about extrapolating more and more ideas and connections.
10 Signs You’re NOT an Extraverted Intuitive
- You prefer following a plan to “seeing where things go.”
- The idea of starting 12 projects without finishing one makes you break out in a cold sweat.
- You value crossing things off your to-do list over adding to it.
- Your friends suggest something new, and your first thought is, “Do we really need to complicate things?”
- You like structure, and the phrase “just wing it” makes you cringe.
- You’d rather focus on what works than imagining 10 alternate ways to do something.
- You’ve been using the same recipe for years—and you like it that way.
- You enjoy knowing the destination before you start the journey.
- When someone says, “Let’s think outside the box,” you think, “Is that necessary?”
- Endless brainstorming? That’s not your idea of fun—it’s your idea of chaos.
What Do You Think?
Do you think you’re an Extraverted Intuitive (NP) personality type? Do you have any examples of using Extraverted Intuition in your own life? Let us know in the comments!
Discover even 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!
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