“The best remedy for those who are afraid, lonely or unhappy is to go outside, somewhere where they can be quiet, alone with the heavens, nature and God. Because only then does one feel that all is as it should be.“
Anne Frank – ENFP
The ENFPs
are known for their incredible way of inspiring and bringing out the beauty and imagination in everyday life. They are adventurous and authentic, with a deep love of humanity and the world itself. ENFPs excel at careers that make use of their creativity, people skills, and ability to think outside the box. ENFPs are explorers at heart, and usually enjoy careers that offer a variety of tasks. Sticking to the same old routine day after day will make them bored unless they are doing meaningful work that aligns with their values. They have a knack for getting people excited about a new idea or business venture. They also can handle multi-tasking and chaos better than many types – seeing opportunities in the middle of a hectic day.
What Does ENFP Stand For?
E = Extroversion. ENFPs focus outwards on the world around them before they inwardly reflect on their subjective perceptions.
N = iNtuition. ENFPs prefer focusing on abstract possibilities and ideas rather than concrete data. They prefer imagining what could be rather than dwelling on what “is.”
F = Feeling. ENFPs apply personal values and ethics to decision-making. They want to live in congruence with their moral code and they consider the emotional impact a decision will have on others.
P = Perceiving. ENFPs like having a lot of options and tend to be adaptable and spontaneous. They like to mix work with play and enjoy an exploratory approach to life.
ENFP Motivations and Weaknesses:
- Driving Force: To generate ideas, possibilities, and new ways of doing things. To explore theories, innovate, and create opportunities.
- Backup Strength: To live a life in alignment with their deeply-held values and ethics. To stand up for a cause they believe in. To experience inner harmony and integrity with one’s self.
- Weaknesses: May be so focused on new ways of doing things that they “re-invent the wheel” and struggle to create consistent routines. May be so focused on the big picture that they lose sight of the details.
- Stressors: Constraints on brainstorming, rigid rules and schedules, repetition, boredom, lack of stimulation from the outside world, too much time alone.
ENFP Personality Traits:
While every person varies based on their background and their Enneagram type, ENFPs often have the following characteristics:
- They are imaginative and open-minded
- They look for possibilities beyond the immediate situation
- They are empathetic and conscientious
- They need regular time to socialize and interact with a variety of people
- They are open about ideas but more private about their inner feelings
- They are skilled at understanding the authenticity levels of others
- They see abstract connections between things that may seem random to others
- They easily put themselves in other people’s shoes
- They are curious and excited by variety
- They don’t like being tied down to a lot of rules, structures, or guidelines
- They like to keep their options open
ENFP Careers:
More than anything, ENFPs crave the opportunity to use their enthusiasm and creativity to innovate and inspire. They are less concerned with stability and job security and more concerned with variety, independence, and positive teamwork. ENFPs are eager to think-outside-the-box and consider new possibilities that veer outside of traditional norms. They are good at taking risks, learning quickly, and seeing the big picture and future implications.
ENFPs crave a job that:
- Is varied and diverse
- Lets them create
- Allows them to take risks and challenge themselves
- Requires very little nitty-gritty detail work
- Allows them independence and flexibility
- Lets them work with, and meet, new people
- Coincides with their personal values
- Is centered in a friendly and relaxed environment
- Rewards imagination, enthusiasm, and innovation
Popular jobs for ENFPs:
- Writer
- Counselor
- Artist
- Teacher
- Journalist
- Entrepreneur
- Creative director
- Actor/Performer
- Public Relations Specialist
- Inventor
Famous ENFPs:
Hunter S. Thompson, Oscar Wilde, Aldous Huxley, Anne Frank, Ariana Huffington, Osho, Anais Nin, Salvador Dali, George Carlin, Ricky Gervais, Robin Williams, Keira Knightley, Daniel Radcliffe
Your Important ENFP Links:
12 Amazing Fictional ENFP Characters
24 Signs That You’re an ENFP, The Visionary Personality Type
Dealing with Emotional Overwhelm as an ENFP
Your ENFP Personality Type and Your Enneagram Type
Boredom Busters for the ENFP Child
A Look at the ENFP Leader
The Flirting Style of the ENFP Personality Type
How ENFPs Pair Up Romantically with Every Myers-Briggs Personality Type
What It Means To Be an ENFP Personality Type
10 Things that Terrify ENFPs
10 Things You Should Never Say to an ENFP Personality Type
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