My husband, a true ISTJ (Introverted Sensing Think Judging), was recently asked what he does for fun. This question left my husband at a complete loss for a response. Why? Doesn't he have fun?
The problem is that ISTJ's often do not lable the things they enjoy as "fun". "Fun" is a flighty term. Most of what he enjoys comes under the category of "it needed to be done". Sure, if pressed, he might admit that he enjoys fixing and building things. Does he think fun is bad or a waste of time? No, he just thrives on accomplishment. ISTJ's love to make lists and cross the items off.
For a personality which has a very high tolerance for repetitive details, likes to schedule, values accomplishment, and only "plays after all the work is done", play is a serious business. Always seeking for improvement, they measure how many baskets they got, steps they ran, ski runs without falling, laps they swim. Organized sports such as baseball, basketball, and volleyball where lines are drawn (literally) and rules are clear are favorites of the ISTJ.
Board game such as chess which requires strategy and a good memory are appreciated. Books such as biographies and history appeal to the ISTJ, as does documentaries. They find Movies with a clear cut traditional plot enjoyable. My husband loves to watch basketball and football games on TV. They have clear goals and rules, and action he can follow. He interest is not in the personalities of the players, but their accumulation of points.
My husband also enjoys doing research about something he wants to learn how to do. Right now he is watching videos on line about his latest project; how to build a cinder block fence. He enjoys learning things to help him improve and accomplish more.
He also likes to go out for a dinner with lots of food for a low cost (good value) at places he knows and which have a simple, traditional menu. Going on walks appeals to an ISTJ, especially if the distance is measured, and when he runs, each step must be counted. This enables him to track his improvement.
The experience craving SP (sensing perceptive) person would wilt if forced to do a day of such "fun". But isn't it wonderful that some people actually enjoy accomplish those things which make life easier for the rest of us. For me, an INFJ who loves to dream and think, being married to an accomplisher is wonderful.
So on a hot summer afternoon, you may see my my husband out shoveling gravel or moving rock. Don't feel sorry for him, He is just having fun. And don't offer to help him. Believe it or not, he is enjoying what he is doing and anticipating many more hours of fun completing it. If you help him, he will just have to find a new project to do. Taking away an SJ's "to do list" would be depriving him of his fun!
No comments:
Post a Comment