The Differences Between INTPs and INTJs, Personality Types and Procrastination

Kevin Price, Editor at Large for USA Business Radio and Host of the Price of Business Show, has recently become hooked on Quora.  In addition to daily hosting the Price of Business, Kevin has numerous writing obligations on this and other sites for which he serves as an editor and with his syndicated column, so we decided that if he’s going to write at Quora, he is going to share that content on this website.  If you are on Quora, make sure to follow Kevin.  You can check out his page here.

Kevin’s hot topics on Quora are history, free market economics, philosophy, and Myers Briggs typology, and many others.  The following is one of his recent answers to the question in the title.

I’m going to start with the second question first.

All of the Myers-Briggs types can suffer from procrastination. It is not unique to INTJs. Here’s a run down on each one and why:

• INFJs can definitely be perfectionists, that easily leads to procrastination. They want things are done to the highest standards, making them afraid to finish tasks.
• The only reason ENFJs might procrastinate, is because they have so much going on.They will often be great at juggling a handful of tasks, but will always be sure to finish everything. She does more than anyone I know. That certainly describes my wife I get tired just watching her.
• INFPs often take procrastinating to a new and even artistic level. Their ability to procrastinate things can span on for years. Things that the INFP does not find important, will often be very easy for them to put off for a very long time. Months, years, whatever.
• ENFPs often struggle with procrastination, especially since they become easily bored. They might begin several different tasks, but never seem to be capable of finishing them.
• INTPs often struggle with procrastination, since they like to do things on their own time. They will often not want to finish something unless it inspires or motivates them. This can cause the INTP to put off doing things for a rather long time.
• ENTPs often become bored rather easily, and will jump from one thing to another rather quickly. They enjoy things that excite them, which often causes them to struggle with procrastinating. They will often begin several projects, but will have a hard time actually completing any of them.
• ENTJs are often perfectionists too. They want to be able to accomplish a job that lives up to their rather high standards. When an ENTJ procrastinates it is often because they feel like they need more time to plan before finishing.
• ISFJs are often very good at getting things done, especially if they have a deadline. They may procrastinate a tad, but are much better at this than most types. If the ISFJ feels like their task is important then they will do their best to get it finished quickly. My primary assistant is an ISFJ and she makes sure all my ideas stay on track.
• ESFJs may struggle with procrastinating on tasks that are done solely for themselves, since they are so motivated by the people in their lives. When it comes to things that won’t seem to benefit anyone, they might struggle with procrastinating that task.
• ISTJs are often excellent at motivating themselves, especially with deadlines. They are rather organized people who know what needs to be done and will do everything to accomplish them. They might procrastinate on things that have no deadline, or lack importance in their daily lives.
• ESTJs are often hard-working individuals, but they might lack motivation when it comes to some things. They enjoy getting the job done, but are even better at motivating others to work hard.
• ISTPs enjoy doing things on their own time and pace, which can often lead them to procrastination. They want to be able to think things through, and are naturally good at solving problems.
• ESTPs do best when they have deadlines, but are known to have a problem with procrastinating. They will easily put off cleaning or organizing things for a rather long time and might even enlist someone else to get it done for them.
• ISFPs live very much inside of their own private world, which causes them to procrastinate for a long time. If something doesn’t seem interesting to them, they will have a hard time finishing their task.
• ESFPs are fun-loving individuals, which can often cause them to be among the worst of procrastinators. Even in regard to the more important, but boring tasks in their lives. They are great at planning fun things, but might not be good at other mundane (but even important) tasks.
• Finally, there are us INTJs. We often procrastinate on tasks that have no deadline, but are often great at getting things done when they have a set date to finish them. When it is clear that something needs to be finished by a certain time, we push to get things finished on time. Without a clear deadline we often struggle to see a logical reason to complete the task. The truth is, I need less time to finish most things (that I am willing to do) than others. Until it is needed, I will wait. But I’m pretty good about deadlines. For me, the key is making them tight. The longer they are out, the more I will wait to finish. We struggle with perfectionism too.

As far as the differences between INTPs and INTJs — there are really so many. Both are among the “brainier” of the types, with the IQ edge going to the INTp, according to the demographics. INTPs (in spite of being “perceiving”) are very interested in accuracy. They are very logical and extremely precise. Because of that, they are often called “The Logician.” Meanwhile, the INTJ is also rational, but not as logical as the INTJ. We are not only called “The Mastermind,” but also the “Magician”… (READ MORE and while there, check out the rest of Kevin’s Quora content.  Also, please follow him).