"long is the road from conception to completion" ~ Moilere

I hope my investigation of the collegiate ENTP has been informative and useful. I could promise that I will continue posting on a regular basis, but then I would not be an ENTP. I leave you in true ENTP fashion, with random facts. Famous ENTPs ~ You think like these people, brag about it.

• Thomas Edison
• Alfred Hitchcock
• John Adams
• Christopher Columbus
• Benjamin Franklin
• Sir Winston Churchill
• Theodore Roosevelt
• Richard Feynman (Nobel Prize winner in Physics)
• Walt Disney
• Lewis Carrol (author of Alice in Wonderland)
• Bill Clinton
• Tom Hanks
• Bill Cosby
• Julia Child
• Matthew Perry
• John Candy
• Weird Al Yankovick

Fictional:

• Kramer (Seinfeld)
• Bugs Bunny
• Wile E. Coyote
• Oscar Madison (The Odd Couple)

Common Hobbies of the ENTP

• Skydiving
• Climbing
• Photography
• Drag racing
• Hang gliding
• Writing
• Travel
• Computer/Video games

"a man must make his opportunity, as oft as find it" ~ Francis Bacon

Because ENTPs have so many interests, we can excel in almost any field. From science to law to business to advertising, analytical and unique minds are always in demand. Narrowing our interests and determining under what conditions we work best is the dilemma. ENTPs operate most effectively in an environment where they can use their creativity and are highly stimulated. A job that involves repetitive tasks would be a poor fit. Freedom and passion for the occupation are the only guidelines for choosing a profession as an ENTP. Although endless lists exist for ENTP careers, I chose to pick out a few interesting ones to profile. Psychodrama therapist – A psychoanalyst who uses creative arts to help those who have trouble expressing themselves or have other mental or physical impairments. ENTPs see this as using interests such as dance, drama, or music in a unique way to solve problems. Teacher – ENTPs engage students with their enthusiasm and constant flow of new ideas for how to present information. Urban/regional planner – A love of visualizing problems, forming solutions, and defending them allows ENTPs to do extremely well in any planning profession. Political analyst – Research oriented and argumentative, ENTPs have an aptitude for all careers in politics. Physician – The ability and preference to work independently, in varying situations, and with other people make ENTPs uniquely suited for medicine. Politics and medicine appeal to my interests the most. I had no desire to enter medicine until I began anatomy class. The visual and hands-on nature fascinated me. Even though the other necessary pre-med courses are a constant source of frustration, I still enjoy and appreciate the general concepts in biology and chemistry. The constantly active environment and continual learning combined with a genuine interest would form an enjoyable and successful career. Politics have always been extremely compelling to me. My sister and I were probably the only two viewers of The West Wing under the age of 11. Solving problems theoretically through argument is how I thrive. I would not want to run for office, but I would enjoy analyzing and commenting on the process. I haven’t quite figured out how to do this, but that is why I am keeping my options open. Other possibilities include lawyer, statistician, stock broker, venture capitalist, talk show host, consultant, actor, professor.

I am always ready to learn, although I do not always like being taught. - Winston Churchill

We have our ups and downs, but how do ENTP strengths and weaknesses relate to learning style? First, let me give you the bullets:

ENTP thinking is…

• Rational
• Logical
• Creative
• Curious
• Theoretical
• Visionary
• Project-oriented
• Excited
• Active
• Objective
• Critical
• Global

ENTPs comprehend through…

• Interaction
• Discussion
• Participation
• Focusing on the big picture
• Spontaneous epiphanies
• Autonomy
• Dialogue
• Critiquing
• Argument
• Group collaboration

ENTPs struggle with…

• Completing projects
• Salient details
• Structure
• Definite plans
• Working with those with a “personal” approach
• Staying focused

ENTP writing…

• Draws from experience
• Relies on concepts
• Logically organized
• Flexible subjects
• May leave out necessary details
• Best when first draft is vocalized
• May contain highly complex or rambling concepts

The mind of the ENTP is focused on the global experience, placing little value on details or the opinion of one person. We learn best through visual, interactive, even chaotic environments. A spontaneous method of processing exposes how we generate innovative and unheard of ideas. Relaying these complex notions in a way that makes any sense to someone of another mindset can be a challenge. Talking through the beginning stages of a project helps to prevent rambling and a lack of focus that can doom even well thought-out plans. I relate to literally all of these traits. I excel though models, visualization, and talking through concepts. It is much easier for me to understand the general, broad point of view, rather than the details (because they seem less important). I explain theories through gesturing and worldly examples. I love knowledge and generating ideas, whether a practical application is present or not. I love reading serious material, even more so than when it isn’t required. Just this weekend I purchased a book called No Excuses: Concessions of a Serial Campaigner. Although 18 to 24 year-olds may have not been the target demographic, I cannot wait to start reading it.

ENTPs are characteristically uncomfortable with rigid plans and deadlines. While I would love to work at my own pace without a set due date, I would never accomplish anything. The most terrifying feeling is when you know that there are concrete, narrow boundaries for a project, but cannot identify what they are (Bio and Chem tests). If every test was essay based, life would be so much easier. I would have the opportunity to actually let a test reflect my conceptual understanding of a subject! In order to learn more effectively, I must manipulate these traits. Through study groups, verbalization of theories, focusing more on details and finding unique ways to make material interactive, I hope to enhance my college performance. I have also found that creating a plan, not necessarily to follow it, but to use as a guide is effective. I hope that I am helping others who may be experiencing some of the same struggles. If you have found something to be useful or just want to add to the blog, please leave me a comment!

“success is going from failure to failure without losing enthusiasm.” ~ ENTP Sir Winston Chruchill

Enthusiasm, flexibility, and an analytical mindset compose a personality that is unique and views the world through a completely different scope than anyone else. A devotion to knowledge and an eagerness to argue combine to form unparalleled passion. If I have a project that I really care about or a value I strongly believe in, I will defend it with my life. If I am not energetic about an idea, what point is there in putting any energy toward it? This attitude allows me to put great effort toward the things I am devoted to, but if I cannot find the importance, I cannot justify wasting time and energy on it. For example, in high school if I could get an A without studying or handing in quality work, I didn’t (health class, seriously?). I already knew the information, so what benefit could I possible obtain? But when it came to AP Literature I did everything I could to ensure that each paper I turned in was my best work because I was challenged and knew that writing is a required skill. The ability to adapt to different environments shows off the flexibility that ENTPs could not survive without (at least I couldn’t). Optimism coupled with a love of possibilities creates the view that new situations are just new problems to solve. ENTPs strive for constant stimulation; a repetitive schedule drives us crazy. While many attributes of this personality type may create a seeming flighty and inconsistent person, the objective and logical aspects ground our fanatical ideas in facts and reason. I pride myself in my ability to evaluate a situation and be completely removed. I remain objective whether it is during a debate or family game night. I never thought of myself as an absolute analytical person, because even though I love to analyze theoretical problems, I never excelled at mathematical problems. That all changed when I entered my first statistics class and my analytical side found its calling. I was completely oblivious to the new depth of analytical thought revealed by the shock of excelling in advanced statistics. These strengths create a unique individual who is passionate, adaptive, and rational.

"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?

the times they are a' changin'

There is one word that describes the first semester of college: Bizarre. Even if you expect and welcome change, it is still shocking how strange every aspect of your life feels. The schedule, the dorm, the courses, the freedom; these changes can be overwhelming to even the most skilled at adaptation. As I adjusted, I learned that success is not a given. The tactics I developed throughout my elementary and secondary education allowed straight A+ to be the norm, so why change? But those finely honed talents of procrastination, BS, and 5 minutes study sessions directly before tests did not seem to help me as I began a course load involving two lab sciences and an advanced class of a subject I had never taken. Because learning had almost always come naturally to me, I lacked established study skills (more like a lack of any study skill at all). To make matters more interesting, I had no idea what I want to do for a career or even a major. (You’ll understand later why this statement is actually the reverse) Using Myers-Briggs to loosely define my personality type (ENTP), I have extensively explored what my personality type says about my strengths, weaknesses, and learning style. I discovered more productive ways I can utilize my learning style and explored majors, careers, and other strategies for growth in college and beyond, from the vantage point of an ENTP. Just for fun, I investigated those famous and infamous who share my personality and some hobbies that develop my strengths. Employing every available hint and suggestion, I am creating a better college experience. To give my hard work more than a self-serving purpose, I want to show others how they can use information about their personality to realize strengths, enhance learning, and even choose a career. While I discuss as an ENTP, the interpretations could be adapted to any of the other 15 types. So what does being an Extroverted iNtuitive Thinking Perceiver mean? As an extrovert, you are focused on the outer world, think out loud, love having people around, and need activity. As an intuitive thinker, you see abstract patterns, process information randomly, value objective analysis and comparison, seek possibilities, truth, and fairness, and comfortable with conflict. Your perceptive nature causes you to be curious, flexible, spontaneous, place importance on knowledge and feel the need to leave as many alternatives open as possible. According to Paragon Learning Style Inventory, ENTPs represent only two percent of the population at most. And because of the importance we place on being unique, we wouldn’t have it any other way. ENTPs are mentally and verbally quick, allowing for ideas and images to constantly be absorbed. As idea people, we love theoreticals and possibilities. We show great enthusiasm for our ideas and want to share our ideas with everyone we meet. Common buzzwords that describe the ENTP include: clever, argumentative, creative, curious, theoretical, inventors, visionaries, energetic, adaptive, multi-tasker, popular, charming, speculative, analytical, “the lawyer”, easy-going, messy, rational, thrill seeking, and motivational.