An Idealist Confesses
Suffering from imprecision?
By JackDermody on 01-11-2008
One of the gifts of this blog site is that we’re getting lots of ah-ha’s from the others. Rationals live in a world of precision – especially in research and word-smithing – to the point that the rest of us seem imprecise and are, in fact, imprecise by nature. And I believe we Idealists may be the “worst”. I see the care with which David Keirsey (the son) and Kip Parent do their research, reporting, and hypothesizing. And I see, in contrast, how easily so many of the rest of us enjoy relying on our gut feelings and to come to conclusions based on far less evidence than Rationals seem to demand. Yes, we like to say “one temperament is no more good or bad than another,” but this is a case where we can learn from another temperament and strive to adjust our behavior to gain more strengths as human beings. Of course it goes both ways: Lord knows I’ve met hundreds of Rationals who can develop some lightheartedness form Artisans, learn social skills from Idealists, and respect for the past from Guardians. That being said, fighting my own lack of precision is something I struggle with to the core of my being. Ironically, I don’t get that big a kick out of finally doing comprehensive research and coming up with the “best” answer (because I ALWAYS see grey areas in EVERYTHING), yet I am embarrassed beyond repair when I’m caught being sloppy in my homework. Anybody else feel this way?
 |
 |
 |
 |
Posted by KipParent on Jan 11, 2008
You definitely point out things we Rationals can learn from the other temperaments! Personally, I'm trying to channel the focus skills of a Crafter (ISTP) to improve my golf game. I have a very hard time playing each shot in the moment. Tiger Woods plays each shot by itself - a previous poor shot does not spoil the next. |
 |
 |
Posted by gemini612 on Jan 17, 2008
Lol...I 'm sloppy too. Keeping things organized is difficult for me when my mind is not focused on it. I'm still new to personality typing so I can't confess much and relate it to being an Idealist, but I can relate to this blog. |
 |
|
Posted by Hope on Jan 18, 2008
I agree that we can all learn from each other. I could use a lesson in patience from.. what type is the most patient? I'm not sloppy in most things, never in my homework. :) In forums though, I tend to type too fast and don't proof read until after I've posted. So that can get sloppy and I get quite embarassed. Hmm.. that sounds like that patience issue. :) |
 |
|
Posted by blaxicans on Mar 3, 2008
I think the trait I covet most is the discipline of the ISTJ. The three ISTJ's I know are quite consistent in most areas of their life, and when I'm around them, I feel even more undisciplined than I already feel!! |
 |
|
Posted by sosayssunny on Mar 30, 2008
Regarding sloppy ... Regardless of my little green Idealist icon, I am really an INTP, Rational Architect. My perceiving aspect has me arriving late a lot and I absolutely detest externally-forced structure (though always seeking structure from within). --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- But on top of this I am also OCD (obsessive-compulsive) and an incredible neat-freak at work, where my "stuff" is finite. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Home is a completely different situation and, although I try to have the same order, I find myself overwhelmed with piles (of reading, to do items, laundry). My rational side is always saying, "If you stay on top of your laundry (mail, email, magazines), it won't get out of hand." But the carefree side of me says, "Ahh, I'll get around to it tomorrow." --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- I am in constant war with myself! --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Oh, and on a related topic: My experiences have led me to believe that there are two kinds of neat -- the clean and the tidy. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- When I clean something, it is clean. I don't just 'rinse' the dishes with soap, when I'm done they are clean (even on the bottom) and so is the sink. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- It's funny when the two neat types get in fights over which one is really the neat one: One roommate hated me having even three magazines in a stack on the coffeetable but had no problem with the fact that the coffeetable had a thick layer of dust on it. If I never cleaned the TV she would never have been able to see her shows. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Neat Type: Another aspect of Temperament? |
| |
|
Posted by JackDermody on Apr 2, 2008
Rationals are independent, perfectionistic, so you’re evidently a “normal” Rational. For them, ideas trump chores every time. However, I think neatnik compulsions have more to do with psychological issues, degree of life trauma, etc. |
sloppy in my homework, sloppy in my housework, sloppy in my cooking, sloppy at my desk. My car is usually a giant sloppy purse on 4 wheels.