thoughts on projects, life, INFP

The problem with being an INFP is that we tend to suffer from the "ooooh! Shiny! I must go do that now!" syndrom. I am very guilty of that. I see a world of oppertunities out there, so many things that are very, VERY interesting to me and I dive deep into them. I'll spend months, sometimes years researching something, pouring over it, learning as much as I can and then something else will attract my attention and I'm off on that tangent.

In some ways this is a good way to be. I have a wide base of knowledge on a LOT of different things. I am a great generalist. It makes me good at what I do for a living in the tech industry because I have such a wide knowledge base I can make the right, gut leap of faith that's required to figure out and solve many problems.

It can, and does, often make for a somewhat less than satisfactory personal life though. At least this INFP has felt many, many times that he can't ever finish anything of importance in the world. I'm a hard worker, you can't question my company loyality or work ethic, yet I cap out in positions and levels due to my 'formal' education level. I have at least three quarters of two or three different four year degrees. Will I ever finish any of them? At this stage in my life I'm not sure.

That's not to say that an INFP can't finish projects, can't accomplish life-time goals. I recently accomplished a rather large one in my life last winter. So there is hope out there. It's a constant struggle though for me. I seem to want to have a lot of irons in the fire, things working in the background, even though that same process leads to frustration and lack of accomplisment.

For me, lately, there is an increasing feeling of internal resistance when starting a new project. I still seem to flip inside my head, one moment I want to do this, another that, but when it comes down to actually starting something in real life I hesitate. That first step to start down a new path is difficult to take now. In some ways this is a good thing. It will tend to keep me more on track, moving deeper into my current projects, my current interests. It helps me focus on movement with a purpose, to not be so scattershot in my life.

What would be my advice to any other INFP's out there? I guess all that I can offer is this....

Try to find what you love and follow those paths. Life is too short.

Whatever you do, don't beat up on yourself for changing horses and running down another path. It's part of who we are, what we do. In the end, you'll find the path whose tracks are worn deepest for you. You'll find the path that keeps calling you back to it, time and time again.