10 Things You Crave Every Day as an INTJ Personality Type

As an MBTI® practitioner and an INTJ myself I often find myself noting down the differences between the different people I interact with. As I work with clients, make friends in my community, and even watch my children grow, I see patterns in personality everywhere. And my hope in this blog has always been to find real, practical ways to better understand one another and ourselves. Yes, I write the occasional “Here’s Which Action Hero You’d Be” post, but those are often just the carrot that I hope will guide people towards deeper and more beneficial articles.

Today’s article is one such article. Today I’m going to talk about the things that make INTJs, the “Strategists”, truly content in life. Many of us go through our days following routines and rules because…well, that’s just how we’ve always done it. We may not always know what will make us satisfied intellectually, emotionally, physically. With that in mind, I want to look at the things that INTJs deeply crave in their everyday lives. These are the things that I’ve heard INTJ clients mention again and again over many years. Some of you may have found these things and cultivated them in your life. Others may still be struggling to find them. But knowing what they are can help you to structure your life in such a way that you’re actually getting more of these satisfying experiences.

Let’s get started!

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10 Things You Crave Every Day as an INTJ Personality Type

1. A Sense of the Profound

INTJs aren’t wired for small talk and superficiality; they want depth and meaning. When they have mundane tasks to do, they’ll often find their minds wandering to existential patterns, philosophical questions, or even scientific theories they’re curious about. This is because they’re wired to seek the profound. Whether it’s through reading philosophy or contemplating life’s big questions, having that sense of deeper understanding feels essential. When days go by and they have to focus so much on minute details that they can’t wonder, question, and contemplate the bigger, deeper things, they tend to feel down and uninspired.

2. A Clear Goal

If there’s one thing an INTJ can’t stand, it’s aimlessness. They need clear, well-defined goals to channel their energy. Whether it’s a project at work, a personal development target, or a detailed plan for world domination (kidding… sort of), knowing their destination helps them chart the course. This is probably why, as an INTJ myself, I’m always trying to solidify my main life goal, side goals, and structure my day so that those objectives are being reached.

3. A Big Picture Perspective

Details are important, but only when they fit into the grander scheme of things. They love stepping back and seeing how everything connects. They want to know why they’re here, what the meaning of life is, what lies beyond our galaxy, and other big questions that many people don’t have answers to. But that doesn’t stop them from pondering and questioning! Without these giant questions and ideas to toy with, life can feel empty and fragmented.

4. Deep Conversations

Forget the weather; let’s talk about the future of humanity or the latest scientific discovery. INTJs crave conversations that challenge their minds and expand their understanding. Finding someone who can engage at this level is like finding a rare gem. INTJs want to be with people who will help them sharpen their mind, who will play with ideas, who will actually take an interest in the complex subjects that fascinate them. Unfortunately, this is often hard to find.

5. Quiet Time to Think

As introverts, INTJs can quickly find their energy draining when they’re socializing or surrounded by people. It’s not that they don’t like people (I mean…some may not), but they just do their best thinking and gain their most energy from looking inward and quietly contemplating. These types have minds that are constantly buzzing with ideas and plans. Having some quiet time to reflect and process is non-negotiable. Whether it’s early morning solitude or late-night musings, these moments of introspection help them stay centered and focused.

6. Intellectual Exploration

Curiosity didn’t kill the cat; it made it smarter. INTJs crave intellectual stimulation and love diving into new subjects. Whether it’s through reading, taking online courses, or engaging in thought experiments, exploring new ideas keeps their minds sharp and satisfied. In fact, “Taking classes” showed up as one of the INTJ’s favorite leisure time activities in the third edition of the MBTI® Manual.

Linda Berens, a psychologist and author of The 16 Personality Types: Descriptions for Self-Discovery, wrote of INTJs: “For Conceptualizer Directors (INTJs), life is a process of maximizing achievement – not just accomplishments – but achievements that reflect penetrating thought and insightful integration of all they’ve learned. And they can never learn enough.”

7. Living with Integrity

INTJs need to feel that their actions and decisions align with their deeply held values. The “Mastermind villain” stereotype doesn’t really line up with most INTJs in real life. Instead, strategists are highly aware of their values and can quickly tell when something feels off or disingenuous. Being content often means asking themselves, “Does this feel right to me?” or “Am I being honest?”

8. Space to Process Feelings

Believe it or not, Strategists do have feelings! But they need their own space and time to process them. They’re not the types to wear their hearts on their sleeves, but in the stillness of their own space they reflect on how they feel, whether they’re in alignment with their values, and try to understand what’s deeply meaningful or important to them. Journaling, meditation, or a quiet walk can help them sort through their emotions without the external noise.

9. Organized Surroundings

Cluttered space, cluttered mind. Strategists do their best thinking when their surroundings are organized and clean. The more chaotic it is, the more they feel compelled to stop everything and get their world in order. An organized desk, a tidy room, or even a well-organized digital workspace can help them feel freed up to think with clarity.

10. Connection with Nature

INTJs have a deep appreciation for the natural world and need to prioritize time to spend without distractions in nature. While some INTJs get lost in the world of theories and contemplation, it’s crucial for them to get time in the real world. When this doesn’t happen, their personality tends to get imbalanced and they feel less satisfied and whole. Whether it’s a hike in the mountains, a stroll through the park, or simply sitting by the water, nature has a way of grounding them, de-stressing them, and clearing their head so they can gain new insights.

What Do You Think?

Do you crave these things every day? Do you have tips or insights to share with fellow INTJs?  Let us know in the comments!

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