"weakness of attitude becomes weakness of character" ~ INTP Albert Einstein

The words argumentative, challenging, belligerent, unreasonable…these are just a few adjectives that have been used to describe me and my querulous nature (along with many other ENTPs). But, as it turns out, my need to convince is simply the result of an insatiable hunger for truth and knowledge. For instance, in the eighth grade, when my West Virginia history teacher gave an incorrect fact to my class I corrected her. Because of my logical outlook, I thought of this as a public service act, my teacher saw it otherwise. Knowledge is important to me, so I wanted to make sure that my classmates were learning accurate information and my comfortable relationship with conflict led me to stand up to my instructor. While some consider the confrontational attitude of the ENTP to be a weakness, I enjoy debate and exploit it to get what I want. I strongly identify with other ENTP flaws that don’t have similar positive connotations, such as a tendency to not follow through on plans and ideas. Maybe ‘not following through’ is an extreme interpretation of how I operate, but I certainly don’t feel the need to complete every project I start unless it is absolutely necessary. Anything pertaining to school reaches a finishing point even if I have to place an embargo on sleep; anything else requires a crystal ball to know if it will be completed. Without considerable incentive and ample time, projects rarely see the final stage. Until recently, I did not realize that this trait, that some may view as laziness, is just a hesitation to finalize. This fear of decision results from the comfort found before the decision is made, when some unknown factor can still enhance the outcome. Because ENTPs are optimists, a view that ‘There’s plenty of time’ and ‘A breakthrough will come if I just take a break’, breeds procrastination and incomplete projects. This disadvantage can cause one to be stressed and overwhelmed trying to keep every potential available. I exercise this philosophy on a daily basis, especially if the subject is important. My indecision on a major is not because I have nothing in mind. I have a million possibilities in mind, but what if I make the wrong decision? I love political science, but I don’t know what I would do after graduation and I love anatomy, but I don’t particularly enjoy the other Pre-med courses. Therefore, I’m leaving my options open so I don’t have to decide until the very last second. Of course, taking Chemistry and Biology as my ‘fun’ electives is frustrating, but the only other alternative would be to make a decision. If indecisiveness is such a fatal flaw, then how can it stem from remarkably rational thought?