Thanks so much for a great blog, and your book was awesome Jacob. I am learning so much and baking soda is now my new best friend.

I have come across some psychologists who insist one is one type all one’s life or perhaps only change slightly where one is at a cross over point. Well when I lived in a rigid community I was a strong ESTJ – what they needed and wanted. When I went to university to write my thesis on unexpected recovery from disease I did the test again, this time an INFP – definitely and happy doing this (Keirsey temperament Healer). Later as I was having to do some teaching I became an ENFJ temporarily (KT Teacher) but decided that wasn’t me and I didn’t like it. I focussed instead on my research and writing journal articles for publication and found myself an INFJ. Wasn’t particularly happy there either and so retired when I could. Now I am the INTJ and probably was most of my life. I’ve never been happier.

Oh how it is to have a job which tests and retests you every couple of years. But I’m sorry I didn’t know this ERE 10 years ago – but then I didn’t have my husband on board back then. I do now and as long as he is allowed his little luxuries of superb coffee in the morning and a red wine at night he puts up with my frugality in other areas.

Its a pity my husband and I are both in our 60s now so we can’t have an early retirement, but perhaps we can have A Retirement. Also I’m sure our grandson is an INTJ also and even at 9 years he can save like anything.

It’s not my favorite way to do business but stuff’s gotta get done, you know?

With regards to travel, you’re like the millionaire that blithely tells people that money doesn’t matter. You’ve already lived in three countries. Lots of us haven’t done that yet, and look forward to it.

With regards to index funds, your arguments against them have been strikingly low on actual rational reasoning. You argue against the efficient-market hypothesis without understanding what it is. You deride index funds on vague notions that they’re sold by Wall Street or that they make you dependent on the ant hill without a whiff of an explanation of why your approach is immune to these effects. You choose the nadir of a once-in-a-century stock market crash to proclaim the death of index investing–hardly a representative sample. All of these are pretty dogmatic for someone who wears his INTJ like a badge of honor.

Is there no possibility that you’re wrong on these counts? Is it impossible that these are just your opinions? Is there no way you could be the one missing some crucial fact or line of reasoning?

If you’re that secure in your position, please feel free continue to deride those of us who disagree with you. The rational ones among us will surely come around eventually.

A professor in college said to me at the end of our term…

“You know, you really are as smart as you think you are”

One quirk about me is that I like to get my own popcorn for a movie because I don’t like to eat any before it begins. Popcorn is not to be consumed during the “Twenty”. A little during the previews if you can’t hold back – but only a little.

I do love to travel but mostly to learn and observe people. It tends to focus my mind and keep me from bouncing from thought to thought. Snowboarding – no thanks. I’d like to try skiing again however.

Declutter only if the things are in my way, otherwise what’s the point?

Work – only as long as I have to. As soon as I’m FI I’m doing things on my own terms. So much of work seems like the equivalent of small talk – a waste of time.

One area I differ from the classic INTJ is emotional awareness. I feel I’m very aware of others emotions, certainly of motivations.

My business school is trying to mold me into being a leader. I don’t think I am one. I would rather let someone else take the responsibility for the group, unless everything’s being handled in a retarded way.

I can’t believe I’m the only one who has experienced those things. So, either the people who love their jobs haven’t worked long enough to experience these things, or they have a way of coping and/or they just don’t let it bother them.

I wish I could do that.

I don’t think a lot of the commenters understand Jacob’s definition of work.

My type varries too and I distrust the whole categorizing thing, but I’m usually something of an INFX–I can get my act together when I really have to, but tend towards chaos–which is why keeping it simple is a good strategy for me.

I can’t say I mind amazing experiences, but I don’t seek out extreme sports or competative sports–amazing to me is more like learning to cross country ski and being alone in the mountains or meditating.

Uh, that said, I HATE clutter. I cannot live in clutter and I will actually de-clutter other people I go to stay with or anyone in sight (DH, my parents, my in-laws). I admit that this is an annoying characteristic, but I never knew it could be explained by the type system.

And work . . . I am a recovering workaholic. Even now, if I get absorbed in a task I think is important or believe in, it’s hard to stop–and if I do physically stop, I’m probably still thinking about it! But not just for the sake of working–one must prioritize!

1. While (I admit) thinking about an innovative investment strategy can be more orgasmic than doing a sexual activity, I’ve been learning to appreciate and experience an “amazing experience”. Failure to learn means I will miss out on one aspect that makes my life worth living (typical P).

2. I hate accumulating too many things. I get rid of my old stuff so I can either get a new, better version or get one thing off my mind.

3. I hear you, brother!

Ps. I’m loving the INTJ Central link. Here’s one of my favourite paragraphs:
“Sarcasm is a free public service we provide to those within earshot. No need to thank us. We also do irony, hyperbole, word-play and puns, one-liners, quick-witted observations and flippant remarks, and abstract and deep philosophical insights on nonsensical themes. Our sense of humor tends to be dry, warped, and morbid, and not everybody “gets” us.”

My response: AMEN!

I don’t care to get a photo taken, but snowboarding is fun. Maybe in the same way that living on a boat would be fun? Then again I think that scary things and exercise are fun, and snowboarding just combines these two passions!!!

I also look at my “decluttered” life as a symbol of my spiritual detachment from things. I like to go into other people’s messy homes and feel like I am better than them – oh wait, does that make me a meany pants elitist? Whatever, it works for me.

AND I think work is important for works own sake. It’s good for you. Of course my definition of “work” includes learning to repair bicycles and writing blogs. Basically anything that adds value to the world and requires effort. Force times distance, if you will.

Buy hey, not everything is so cut and dry. I’m an INTJ, but I love schedules, I make life changes on a whim, and I highly value authenticity.