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How do ENFP’s think? Can you

explain the ENFP’s mind?
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17 Answers

Boontarika Sripom, MA Clinical

Psychology, love Myers Briggs
Answered Apr 29, 2018

This is one of my favorite questions! <3

How do ENFPs think? Can you explain the

ENFP’s mind?

I like visuals and similes to explain how I think.

Extroverted intuition (Ne) is like an ever-
expanding network. It looks like electricity, a
nebula of thoughts with endless connections
overlapping one another. I also see it spread like a
firework, with sparks of insight and additional
tangents or connection in the moment,
referencing previous data points gathered in the
past. So, it’s complicated. It’s messy, and it’s
beautiful to witness and nurture.

Extroverted intuition is a sponge for information.

Just like extroverted sensing, it takes in physical
data and consolidates it for the future. It is less
detailed than Se in general, and can take in the
“gist” of a space, the theme, or something of a
pattern if there is enough of a foundation to
reference this data to. Ne is pattern recognition,
so when a data point is related to some prior
consumed data that makes a pattern, the ENFP
may go off on tangents with storytelling, or
changing their interests because their attention
shifted immediately.

To observers, it seems the ENFP is scatterbrained

and inconsistent. Well, to help someone
understand (not condoning the behavior), an
ENFP has a vast network of information to
reference, and certain neural pathways that
are of interest, meaning, they are stronger and
more used. When a pattern of thinking is
catalyzed from the external environment via
conversation stimuli, that can activate a part of
the ENFP’s brain to focus with intent. It may just
be a different valuing of information to focus on.
Dario Nardi even has brain scans to support how
an ENFP has this “Christmas Tree” kind of brain
where all parts light up and are used, so there
may be less discrimination compared to other
preferences. It’s not a good or bad thing, it’s just
an observation and difference.

So to think like an ENFP, you are constantly

seeking information because you thrive on
novelty and pattern seeking. It is usually based
on the human condition, and narratives. We love
stories. We love living life spontaneously, and
gathering data to test our hypotheses on
humanity and ourselves. To do so means we are
constantly watching people, we are watching
interactions, slight facial expressions, past
patterns and hypotheses that need confirmations.
We use ourselves to test these hypotheses by
observing, acting as stimuli for the environment,
or asking people questions to see how they
respond and seeing if it is authentic or a mask for
something deeper.

Common themes of how we think and perceive

information:

What is my purpose?

Is this just? Which groups or individuals

suffer from this decision?

Am I being authentic when I do this?

Am I imposing my way of living on

others?

How can I express myself in a way that

truly reflects who I am?

What else can I learn about these

important topics?

Where can I go to experience novelty?

Who can I talk to about the human

condition?

Where can I find interesting people and

brains to explore?

I feel misunderstood. Should I explain

who I am, or is it worth it?

Why don’t they understand me?

Where do I belong?

I don’t belong, but I don’t want to

necessarily fit in.

How can I make an impact in this world?

I should write a song or story about this.

I can imagine a life like this (starts on this

path). Or maybe like this (changes path).
Ohh this is also interesting (takes
another path)… etc.

I see the potential and possibilities of

others. I wish people could do the same
for me.

After we gather information, we sit and process.

We consult with our values and authenticity
(introverted feeling, Fi) to see if these actions
we’ve participated in honor who we are, and how
we want to be seen. If we are challenged with
information that counters who we think we are, or
what we think the world is/should be, we sit and
feel. The processing is quiet and invisible. No one,
not even us, can physically see how the
information is being sorted in our minds and
bodies. It’s introverted, but it happens, and we
can feel it. Our bodies are physically and
emotionally processing the information where we
withdraw, get quiet, and seem distant to others.

To gather so much information, or to engage with

stimulation has an emotional and physical toll on
us. This is partly why many in our lives notice how
ENFPs tend to disappear once in a while. It is a
common pattern because we don’t usually assess
our thresholds for over-stimulation well. When we
are involved in something, we want to gather as
much of the experience as possible. This is a
double-edged sword because we also don’t
always know when to come out of our introverted
states, so we become lonely or withdraw even
more.

Our extroverted intuition can kick in, imagining all

these possibilities of how we perceive ourselves
useless or unworthy of love. We’re pretty good
at self-deprecation. So, to get out of these
patterns takes practice, and a compassionate
hand to pull us out of our funks. ENFPs must
practice seeking care, asking for care, and
allowing others in our lives during darkness. We
are used to showing people parts of ourselves,
not our whole selves, mostly because we’ve had
to practice showing certain parts to feel
accepted.

So we get out of our funks, and get back to

gathering data through lived experiences and
reading. Lots and lots of reading. (Some ENFPs
may not relate, that’s okay!)

We are extroverted thinkers (Te) where it

appears we don’t have an idea what we are
talking about, but with enough listening, or
getting our thoughts out there, a whole thought or
story can form. This can be annoying/frustrating
for people in our lives. Some ways to get ideas
out without having to burden others is to :

Make art: if it’s an emotional process

without words, draw, doodle, dance,
write a poem about it, or jot down any
and every word or phrase even if it
doesn’t truly “make sense” right now.

Write in a journal: Energy needs to go

somewhere. Writing helps move your
thoughts and emotions, so you don’t feel
stuck. Writing and reading your thoughts
can help give insight into your own
experience.

Preface your talking/rambling: Lots of

people need to know why you’re talking.
It helps them know their role, since lots
of people want to interject with solutions.
If you don’t even know what the problem
is because you’re an external thinker,
people might interrupt before you’re able
to sort your thoughts out loud. “I don’t
know what I need yet, or what the
problem is, so please just listen first so I
can get a better idea of what’s bothering
me.”

Blog or vlog for a limited audience:

Creating content for others can help
shape your message. It can also help
broaden your perspective when receiving
comments. This process can make your
thinking more efficient. (Of course, share
with people you trust)

Make lists and write stuff down (on

paper or electronically): Many times
our ideas reference something we have
lingering, but they are not fully formed
*yet*. Sometimes we can quickly explain
the idea, but it could also take a while if
we’re tapping into lots of information. So,
to help us explain ourselves and to honor
the patience and time of others, it can be
useful to have lists related to our
interests available. We can be better
understood.

Our baby function, Introverted Sensing (Si)

gives us a relationship with nostalgia, holding
onto the past, and longing for things and lives
we haven’t participated in. It may also be a
hurdle for us to completely work through grief,
where we tend to hold onto things, perhaps for a
lifetime. We may repeat our past several times
where we haven’t learned the life lessons, our Ne
(extroverted intuition) seeps in to make us think
the outcome could be different, or it’s simply
comfortable living with a predictable outcome. We
may self sabotage for the sake of comfort. There
is potential for clashing with being comfortable
with the status quo.

I also think (Introverted Sensing, Si) that’s a

reason why we like cutesy things and toys. We
honor our childlike selves, and attempt to nurture
them through living playfully and authentically.
This has push-back from society in general, so it
can be a vulnerable space to be in.

An observation on having extroverted intuition as

a lead cognitive function and how it manifests
relates to embracing all information. We tend to
accept all parts of an entity or concept, which
confuses many people. We are walking
contradictions and people may see us as two-
faced or confusing.

We like cute and morbid things. We enjoy

lightheartedness, depth, curiosity, and
silliness in one conversation.

We accept people for their darkness and

light, because humans are complex. We
wish for others to accept us this way as
well.

We see endless possibilities, which

means there is no one truth. All opinions
are important, and we are open to
hearing them. (Unless it’s about a core
value, then nope! lol)

If it’s a topic that’s not too dear to us, we

can be swayed to embraced an opposing
perspective with enough information. We
are open to all information and to
understand.

We take a long time to make decisions

because we have a difficult time
weighing all the information. We take in
too much information with “what if”
scenarios.

We live and try on different “hats” in life

and consider them all authentic versions
of who we are. Others may disagree, but
we honor these possible versions of who
we are and can be.

Many people wonder why we can’t learn from

others. It makes us look stubborn and immature. I
think it’s mainly a difference in preference. Some
of us like to live for adrenaline rushes, and stories
to write. This need for lived experience and
information also tends to make ENFPs late
bloomers. We just don’t seem to “adult” properly
in the eyes of the greater culture. It’s not a bad
thing, but sometimes people in our lives tend
to demonize how we live or think. Try not to
take it to heart. Personally, it happens to me and it
does hurt. I try my best to find community and
acceptance from those who understand there is
no one way to live life well.

Side note: It’s amusing how ENFPs get ridiculed

for being childlike and scattered, and YET
countless movies and animations cast ENFP
archetypes as the persona for viewers to escape
from their uninteresting lives.

We are champions for a reason. We remind others

how essential it is to be playful and honor our
authentic selves, to fight and live for a cause
greater than yourself. We see the potentials and
genuine gifts and motivations of others. We instill
optimism and joy to see awe in the world around
us. Some people may think it’s too much. Well,
they can learn to instill awe and playfulness in
their lives, and we can learn to be more
“responsible” and less scattered. It isn’t an all-or-
nothing thing, but sometimes people like to
externalize their discomforts of their own lives
onto others. Be mindful of this.

Seeking to understand how other people think

is a great step towards cultivating compassion
and patience for others. Great question.
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Bacy Stok
Answered Mar 12, 2018

I would say that we are heavy thinkers. I don't

know if I can speak for all ENFP's out there. We
think in the past, future and present all at the
same time and that can sometimes be very
exhausting. We are very open minded people and
that makes that our mind is full of contradictions.
We want people to be happy and by that most
things we think are for the sake of others, without
realizing. We can put ourselves in second place,
only because we know we can cope with that. But
the other side of thinking this way is that most of
our thoughts turned into Reading
Continue actions are based on the
feeling of guilt. F

191 5 11

11 comments from Nicholas Doran and more

Liz Moore, Novice Life Coach-ee,

Lover of Personality Psychology
Answered Mar 26, 2018

I like to think of myself (and accompanying ENFP

mind) as an emotionally uber-expressive
MacGyver. My mind has very little structure and is
instead a limitless canvas upon which anything
can take shape at any moment. Put an ENFP like
me in an urgent, high stakes, impossibly difficult
situation with zero notice, and we will not only get
it done, we will blow your mind with the presence
of mind, creativity, intuitive decision making, and
ability to galvanize a panicked crowd that we
demonstrate. Then, 15 minutes after the crisis is
gorgeously averted and harmony
Continue Reading has been
restored on an even high

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8 comments from Neghie Thervil and more

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Elle Nicola, ENFP

Answered Jun 17, 2020

I’m an ENFP and wow… describing how I think is a

bit of a daunting task!

For a start my brain is never switched off. I’m

always thinking intensely of all sorts of deep and
strange ideas. I rarely get a break from these
intense thoughts, and that’s pretty exhausting. So
I get easily overwhelmed, people sometimes don’t
understand why but the best way I can describe
it, is internally I’m always so close to ‘full’ that it
doesn’t take much for me to overflow.

I also feel emotions very intensely. My whole life

I’ve been very expressive of these, and very
Continue Reading
empathetic to the point where it can interfere

48 3

Add a comment...

Chelsea Oldenburg, studied at

Oakland Community College Highland
Lakes (2014)
Answered Mar 25, 2018

ENFP’s are dreamy curious futuristic

thinkers. They live and breathe
inspiration and new possibilities.
Although they can immerse themselves
in the present moment, and also have a
tendency to think about the past… the
future is ultimately where they like to fall
back on. They thrive on, and get their
energy from thinking about new projects
& achieving their goals of living the life
they dream of. If they’re not thinking
about inspiration, then you may find
them thinking about people. They are
constantly evaluating and re-evaluating
the people in their lives. They want to
know exactly who someo
Continue Reading

73 1 2

2 comments from Karson Kraybill and more

Marine Lefebvre, Psychologist-

psychotherapist
Answered Mar 13, 2018

ENFPs are mind in action permanently.

They are thinkers and helpers or feeders at the

same time.

Analyzing the world trough perceptions and

senses all along, trying to give sens to all that
data through their filters and values…
Overwhelmed often !

ENFPs want to understand the world, the big

picture. They are extremely curious, transversal,
multi potential , all is subject of interest.

It starts with all matters like sciences (all),

humanities, art and culture, politics, to end with
religion ans spirituality.

And they try to see what Reading

Continue they will be able to do
with all that in the future as potentials

67 1 3

3 comments from Kelly Russo and more

Teresa Clifton, Photographer

Updated Apr 15, 2020

I was talking to my mom about this the other day

because I often have a small anxiety when I’m
speaking to people, and it has to do with what is
going on in my brain:

If someone brings up an interesting subject, the

easiest way to explain it is there are multiple TVs
that turn on in my brain (TV = my thoughts). If you
were to take a documentary and spread it across
the TVs, each playing their own scene, that’s what
each TV holds - interesting facts and information
that I want to share, plus lots of random things
too. Usually oneContinue
TV is turned up the most, so it’s
Reading
the thought that I start with. B

37 2

2 comments from David ́ Oliveira and more

Cynthia Kao, I’m a Diplomat in an

Analyst world
Answered Sep 1, 2018

My mind is complex, funny, and wars with my

heart. Thinking is as much a primary function as
the Feelings trait. I can feel misunderstood or feel
like I don’t fit in with surface level conversations,
shallow, or fake personalities and can spot
deception easily.

Often called the most optimistic of the MBTI

personality types, we may often overthink and
overassess a situation, taking on responsibilities
that aren’t ours to shoulder in order to achieve the
idealized mission. We may feel like it is our job to
solve the world’s problems and advocate for the
underdogs.
Continue Reading
Peacemaking and connecting the do

50 1

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