What do you think?
Rate this book
The Comprehensive ENFP Survival Guide
Life as an ENFP is no walk in the park.
Despite the happy-go-lucky attitude they exude, only those who share the specific preference for extroversion, intuition, feeling and perceiving on the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator can truly understand the unique form of chaos that governs this type’s restless mind. Embodying a profoundly strange stack of cognitive functions, ENFPs approach the world with both the enthusiasm of a child and the wisdom of an old soul.
In this detailed, type-based survival guide, seasoned MBTI author and shameless ENFP Heidi Priebe explains how to manage the ups, downs and inside-outs of everyday life as one of the most passionate yet self-contradictory types.
Despite the happy-go-lucky attitude they exude, only those who share the specific preference for extroversion, intuition, feeling and perceiving on the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator can truly understand the unique form of chaos that governs this type’s restless mind. Embodying a profoundly strange stack of cognitive functions, ENFPs approach the world with both the enthusiasm of a child and the wisdom of an old soul.
In this detailed, type-based survival guide, seasoned MBTI author and shameless ENFP Heidi Priebe explains how to manage the ups, downs and inside-outs of everyday life as one of the most passionate yet self-contradictory types.
256 pages, Paperback
First published September 30, 2015
377 people are currently reading
1564 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 173 reviews
September 11, 2016
Oh my gosh. This book. It's basically a narrative of my very soul. Words can't even begin to explain it, there is just a mountain of exclamation points I want to use right now.
February 18, 2016
Heidi Priebe does an amazing job in opening out the ENFP miraculous world for everyone. This book is a must read for every ENFP and everyone who lives or deals on a daily basis with us - ENFP guys. It will help you better understand yourself and work further on your improvement, because for an ENFP we are our best project to develop in a lifetime. And, for those who live along us it will provide assistance and give answers to their numerous "why"-s as we go riding our roller coaster called "life".
The book is divided into few different parts that concentrate on topics such as relationships, cognitive functions, career and workplace, unhealthy behaviors. One of the last chapters also provides a cross type reference exploring in details the matches and differences of each type and ENFP. I was happy to see some of the Heidi's works published on Thought Catalogue here, too, such as the famous "Don't Date an ENFP" article.
As an ENFP who've spent the last year in self-exploration after coming out of a particularly difficult grip experience, I was able to find many useful references and techniques to improve my own self and grow my less developed functions (esp. Si) in a healthy way. I was also able to find clues to my previous behaviors and I had that deja vu experience while reading many of the situations, examples and techniques discussed in the book. Very useful self-analysis tool! I also resonated so much with the other ENFPs mentioned in he book. It is such a relief to know I am not a wierdo and there are actually a whole bunch of guys thinking just like me. As one of those ENFPs said:
"Even on the bad days, life is a big, passionate adventure, filled with people to love and opportunities to explore!"
And, I am so happy to be just me these days. Not have to pretend to be someone else. Not to try to please anyone but me. And, have a peace of mind, and, soul full of creative projects to explore, and new places to conquer in this beautiful world we live in. To be an ENFP.
The book is divided into few different parts that concentrate on topics such as relationships, cognitive functions, career and workplace, unhealthy behaviors. One of the last chapters also provides a cross type reference exploring in details the matches and differences of each type and ENFP. I was happy to see some of the Heidi's works published on Thought Catalogue here, too, such as the famous "Don't Date an ENFP" article.
As an ENFP who've spent the last year in self-exploration after coming out of a particularly difficult grip experience, I was able to find many useful references and techniques to improve my own self and grow my less developed functions (esp. Si) in a healthy way. I was also able to find clues to my previous behaviors and I had that deja vu experience while reading many of the situations, examples and techniques discussed in the book. Very useful self-analysis tool! I also resonated so much with the other ENFPs mentioned in he book. It is such a relief to know I am not a wierdo and there are actually a whole bunch of guys thinking just like me. As one of those ENFPs said:
"Even on the bad days, life is a big, passionate adventure, filled with people to love and opportunities to explore!"
And, I am so happy to be just me these days. Not have to pretend to be someone else. Not to try to please anyone but me. And, have a peace of mind, and, soul full of creative projects to explore, and new places to conquer in this beautiful world we live in. To be an ENFP.
May 7, 2020
Okay, so yes, I'm reading what is essentially a self help book about a theory that has been heavily criticized but hear me out.
In many ways, I'm fond of MBTI because I have so many memories of it with friends. I went through a period of time when my friends and I would do the test for each other. Seeing the way your friends think you would answer questions was really revealing and truly fascinating. Despite my friends answering differently than me, I'd keep getting NFP. In fact, I've been getting NFP for years.
After reading this book, I feel that I can say that my NFP tendencies are precisely what makes me doubt the accuracy of 16 personality types. I mean, come on, everyone's an individual. When we get told we're an ENFP and that that's how an ENFP acts, we're likely to feel like it describes us. Our ability to truly see ourselves feels limited.
However, I still think this holds a lot of merit once you perceive it as a list of techniques which might be helpful at times. This book shows a very nuanced view of these theory because it's careful to show all the variety of ways that this can work. It shows how flexible our minds are.
So, this book essentially is split into short chapters. Each one deals with a specific topic related to being ENFP, including tips on how to deal with the disadvantages, stories from other ENFPs, and an explanation of ENFPs deal with problems.
I can't deny how many behaviors here are entirely things I do. I found myself looking at my life through the ENFP prism and considering that there are ways to do things differently, in a way that better works for me. I hadn't considered that so many things can be connected to this. I mean, for example, in the past few weeks I've been really enjoying Economics. This book helped me realize that that's because I suddenly see how this connects to people, I see how immigration can influence the economy and that's interesting, much more than the math behind it.
I don't have much to say about this book in terms of a review so I'm going to wrap this up by saying that this is definitely recommended if you're an ENFP, even if you have doubts about MBTI. It's written clearly and it's interesting. I read this in like an hour and feel like I've learned a lot.
What I'm Taking With Me
- Last time I did the test, I got 51% Extrovert but yeah, I definitely am a proper ambivert.
- "They (ENFPs) may jump between careers, opportunities and experiences in their adult lives but nonetheless feel as though they're perfectly on track to becoming the kind of person they want to be." This is absolutely true about me. I've never seen it be worded so well.
- The more down I feel, the more I try to be helpful to those around me, in an attempt to prove to myself that surely I'm okay if I can help others. I've never realized that that's not a good thing. It's manipulative and unhealthy for all parties involved.
- This book managed to explain why I can easily stand in front of 150 people and talk about languages (ayy extroverted intuition) but it takes me actual years to be able to talk about feelings with people (introverted feeling).
- Also, the reason why working in a job that included communicating with people for 23 hours a day was a catastrophe precisely because I didn't have that space to figure out my thoughts about things.
- It also helped me realize that when dealing with problems, I usually will spend a lot of time alone thinking and will conclude this thinking session with an exciting plan which I will then follow for a few days until I feel better (read: extroverted intuition comes back).
- I'm looking forward to growing old and becoming better at being able to do tasks that don't interest me because right now, I literally can only do things after I figure out why I'm interested in them.
- I absolutely have a problem with assuming every difficulty that I face is connected to an interesting and complicated challenge which leads to me forgetting that simple answers do exist out there .
- I often do feel better after failing than after getting good grades. I've always thought that's weird but reading this book made me understand that it's because I like challenges and somehow, when you get a good grade, there's nothing to do after that.
In many ways, I'm fond of MBTI because I have so many memories of it with friends. I went through a period of time when my friends and I would do the test for each other. Seeing the way your friends think you would answer questions was really revealing and truly fascinating. Despite my friends answering differently than me, I'd keep getting NFP. In fact, I've been getting NFP for years.
After reading this book, I feel that I can say that my NFP tendencies are precisely what makes me doubt the accuracy of 16 personality types. I mean, come on, everyone's an individual. When we get told we're an ENFP and that that's how an ENFP acts, we're likely to feel like it describes us. Our ability to truly see ourselves feels limited.
However, I still think this holds a lot of merit once you perceive it as a list of techniques which might be helpful at times. This book shows a very nuanced view of these theory because it's careful to show all the variety of ways that this can work. It shows how flexible our minds are.
So, this book essentially is split into short chapters. Each one deals with a specific topic related to being ENFP, including tips on how to deal with the disadvantages, stories from other ENFPs, and an explanation of ENFPs deal with problems.
I can't deny how many behaviors here are entirely things I do. I found myself looking at my life through the ENFP prism and considering that there are ways to do things differently, in a way that better works for me. I hadn't considered that so many things can be connected to this. I mean, for example, in the past few weeks I've been really enjoying Economics. This book helped me realize that that's because I suddenly see how this connects to people, I see how immigration can influence the economy and that's interesting, much more than the math behind it.
I don't have much to say about this book in terms of a review so I'm going to wrap this up by saying that this is definitely recommended if you're an ENFP, even if you have doubts about MBTI. It's written clearly and it's interesting. I read this in like an hour and feel like I've learned a lot.
What I'm Taking With Me
- Last time I did the test, I got 51% Extrovert but yeah, I definitely am a proper ambivert.
- "They (ENFPs) may jump between careers, opportunities and experiences in their adult lives but nonetheless feel as though they're perfectly on track to becoming the kind of person they want to be." This is absolutely true about me. I've never seen it be worded so well.
- The more down I feel, the more I try to be helpful to those around me, in an attempt to prove to myself that surely I'm okay if I can help others. I've never realized that that's not a good thing. It's manipulative and unhealthy for all parties involved.
- This book managed to explain why I can easily stand in front of 150 people and talk about languages (ayy extroverted intuition) but it takes me actual years to be able to talk about feelings with people (introverted feeling).
- Also, the reason why working in a job that included communicating with people for 23 hours a day was a catastrophe precisely because I didn't have that space to figure out my thoughts about things.
- It also helped me realize that when dealing with problems, I usually will spend a lot of time alone thinking and will conclude this thinking session with an exciting plan which I will then follow for a few days until I feel better (read: extroverted intuition comes back).
- I'm looking forward to growing old and becoming better at being able to do tasks that don't interest me because right now, I literally can only do things after I figure out why I'm interested in them.
- I absolutely have a problem with assuming every difficulty that I face is connected to an interesting and complicated challenge which leads to me forgetting that simple answers do exist out there .
- I often do feel better after failing than after getting good grades. I've always thought that's weird but reading this book made me understand that it's because I like challenges and somehow, when you get a good grade, there's nothing to do after that.
February 18, 2018
I've spent a lot of time over the last couple months researching MBTI (yes, I am an ENFP, yes I research) and have found the internet to be largely awash in conflicting and over-sensationalized accounts of personality theory. Priebe is one of the few online authors I have come across whose articles seemed to jibe with my own observations. I was impressed enough with her work on other types that I thought I would read what she had to say about me.
Turns out, I'm pretty awesome.
Seriously though, there is going to be a lot of variability even within a specific personality type so your mileage is going to vary. Your upbringing, traumatic incidents, life decisions (I mean what kind of ENFP joins the Marines?) will effect the person you turn out to be.
The main thing that didn't ring true for me was the part about being goal driven. That has never been part of my experience. Of course in proper ENFP fashion, it is not that I don't have goals but rather that I have a different set each week of the year. So goal driven for me always looks suspiciously like a dog chasing his tail.
Other than that, it is a pretty good exploration of this type.
Turns out, I'm pretty awesome.
Seriously though, there is going to be a lot of variability even within a specific personality type so your mileage is going to vary. Your upbringing, traumatic incidents, life decisions (I mean what kind of ENFP joins the Marines?) will effect the person you turn out to be.
The main thing that didn't ring true for me was the part about being goal driven. That has never been part of my experience. Of course in proper ENFP fashion, it is not that I don't have goals but rather that I have a different set each week of the year. So goal driven for me always looks suspiciously like a dog chasing his tail.
Other than that, it is a pretty good exploration of this type.
May 17, 2017
She even knew I would skip around before starting at page one.
November 9, 2019
The difference between taking a myers briggs test online and reading this book is like the difference between using an outhouse at a trailhead in the winter with the cold breeze coming up the john vs sitting in a hot tub with a beer in hand after a long day of skiing.
Seriously, this book is so far beyond any Myers Briggs website that blabbers about being an Extravert or Introvert, that it boggles my mind. I can't believe I have been so dumb and in the dark on the topic of cognitive functions and how they work all these years. The concept of how these personalities actually work is truly game changing and this book does the best job of explaining them that I have ever found.
Unfortunately, Heidi has not written one of these for all the types. She is brilliant, and she is an ENFP and so we are the lucky ones that get to have this kind of insight into how we work and change over the years.
Seriously, this book is so far beyond any Myers Briggs website that blabbers about being an Extravert or Introvert, that it boggles my mind. I can't believe I have been so dumb and in the dark on the topic of cognitive functions and how they work all these years. The concept of how these personalities actually work is truly game changing and this book does the best job of explaining them that I have ever found.
Unfortunately, Heidi has not written one of these for all the types. She is brilliant, and she is an ENFP and so we are the lucky ones that get to have this kind of insight into how we work and change over the years.
August 10, 2016
Heidi has a clear writing style and concise manner of sharing information. Her understanding of cognition is great, and it opened up my eyes to both the good elements of my personality (yay, I have a well-developed Si that keeps me focused and on track!) and the negatives (I become reclusive at times, instead of reflective).
It didn't quite resonate entirely with me (I'm not an Enneagram 7, and a lot of the focus seems to be on that combination), but I really appreciated that she spent time dedicated to talking about how the Ne/Te combination creates an "unstoppable force" in healthy ENFPs, which drives them to finish projects, and go after what they want most. A lot of stereotypes exist about ENFPs being unfocused, unable to finish things, unreliable, and whatnot.
Her section on figuring out what your core ethical beliefs are stumped me for awhile -- but then I realized, I didn't have to follow the exampled thought process, I simply knew what I prioritize most (work ethic, respect for others, follow through, producing something, and loyalty).
My only disappointment was her decision to focus on only the most popular Enneagram combinations in the ENFP + Enneagram section. Since I'm none of the mentioned combinations, I'll have to sort out my healthy and unhealthy behaviors on my own.
It didn't quite resonate entirely with me (I'm not an Enneagram 7, and a lot of the focus seems to be on that combination), but I really appreciated that she spent time dedicated to talking about how the Ne/Te combination creates an "unstoppable force" in healthy ENFPs, which drives them to finish projects, and go after what they want most. A lot of stereotypes exist about ENFPs being unfocused, unable to finish things, unreliable, and whatnot.
Her section on figuring out what your core ethical beliefs are stumped me for awhile -- but then I realized, I didn't have to follow the exampled thought process, I simply knew what I prioritize most (work ethic, respect for others, follow through, producing something, and loyalty).
My only disappointment was her decision to focus on only the most popular Enneagram combinations in the ENFP + Enneagram section. Since I'm none of the mentioned combinations, I'll have to sort out my healthy and unhealthy behaviors on my own.
October 11, 2018
This book is amazing! Reading this book makes it feel like someone has somehow infiltrated my mind, searched my soul, and uncovered my darkest secrets... and I love it! Often because the world is primarily made up of sensing types, ENFP's feel like something is wrong with them as they have a very unique way of looking at the world. But Heidi Priebe does a fantastic job of showing ENFP's that they should feel proud of who they are, while at the same time not blowing sunshine up there ass the whole time. This book is very helpful uncovering why you act, think, and feel the way you do, shows common ENFP pitfalls, relationship insight into how ENFP's interact with other types, etc. Highly recommend this book to any fellow ENFP or someone dating or married to an ENFP wanting to know more about them (which I think any ENFP would be delighted that someone would take the time to understand them so thouroughly).
May 9, 2020
Dear Heide Priebe,
Thank you for having written my memoir before I even knew it. Oops, that was such an ENFP thing to say, but you would be the best person to understand, of course!
I have been passionately looking into the Myers-Briggs 16 Personalities (MBTI) with accompanying interest in the fathers of psychology for quite a while now - years actually, and I would never have accredited it, had it not born its roots from Carl Jung.
I randomly bumped into this survival guide online in February this year and to be honest, I thought that I was opting for the 'chick-lit of psychology' when I started it. How misleading and yet, how not quite so. But then as any other ENFP would, I was like "bring it on! I am up for a fun-ride!"
You caught my attention from the very first line page, damn:
"First of all, if you are actually beginning this book at the introduction, I fear you may have picked up the wrong book. Perhaps you were looking for the well-ordered ISTJ Survival Guide but an INTP switched the book cover on you as a prank. Or maybe you were on the hunt for the ESFJ Guide to being assertive but bought this book because the store employee recommended it and you did not want to be impolite. If neither of these scenarios ring true, I can safely assume that you are an ENFP who has returned to the first page of this book after tempting to read it from the middle and realizing that you have no idea what all this is FI and any nonsense is about. In this case, welcome back to the beginning you overzealous goof."
Despite its title, I will not call this book a self-help but rather a profound examination of an ENFP's brain functioning. I had the strange confronting feeling that I had my own brains taken out and put in my hands for a close investigation, without any chance to escape and brush over the bad parts! Yet, I laughed incessantly being into the book, wow what a brain-mirror it has been!
The facts stated in all the chapters were so real that when I shared it with the person who probably knows me best on this planet, he went like, 'Ratnah, are you reading your HOROSCOPE?' Hilarious.
I have thoroughly enjoyed the technicalities specified in Chapter 12, my favourite chapter, from which I took away so much. You have brilliantly explained the core psychological theories in the simplest terms which have made me better understand inferior functions (introverted intuitions) vis-a-vis my best attributes (extroverted thinking).
Needless to say, this book is not a self-help because its aim is not to change who I am or my habits or my ways of life; but rather, as stereotype as it may sound, this book is a self-reflection enabling me to be at peace with how I operate within the chaos of my wild and rugged mind.
Thank you for sharing this precious survival guide which without doubt other ENFPs will enjoy, and most importantly, help the other personalities understand that we are not exactly crazy ... but insanely intense in everything that we do.
Until we meet again at an ENFP party somewhere in the world. From your reader who has adored this guide to bits!
Thank you for having written my memoir before I even knew it. Oops, that was such an ENFP thing to say, but you would be the best person to understand, of course!
I have been passionately looking into the Myers-Briggs 16 Personalities (MBTI) with accompanying interest in the fathers of psychology for quite a while now - years actually, and I would never have accredited it, had it not born its roots from Carl Jung.
I randomly bumped into this survival guide online in February this year and to be honest, I thought that I was opting for the 'chick-lit of psychology' when I started it. How misleading and yet, how not quite so. But then as any other ENFP would, I was like "bring it on! I am up for a fun-ride!"
You caught my attention from the very first line page, damn:
"First of all, if you are actually beginning this book at the introduction, I fear you may have picked up the wrong book. Perhaps you were looking for the well-ordered ISTJ Survival Guide but an INTP switched the book cover on you as a prank. Or maybe you were on the hunt for the ESFJ Guide to being assertive but bought this book because the store employee recommended it and you did not want to be impolite. If neither of these scenarios ring true, I can safely assume that you are an ENFP who has returned to the first page of this book after tempting to read it from the middle and realizing that you have no idea what all this is FI and any nonsense is about. In this case, welcome back to the beginning you overzealous goof."
Despite its title, I will not call this book a self-help but rather a profound examination of an ENFP's brain functioning. I had the strange confronting feeling that I had my own brains taken out and put in my hands for a close investigation, without any chance to escape and brush over the bad parts! Yet, I laughed incessantly being into the book, wow what a brain-mirror it has been!
The facts stated in all the chapters were so real that when I shared it with the person who probably knows me best on this planet, he went like, 'Ratnah, are you reading your HOROSCOPE?' Hilarious.
I have thoroughly enjoyed the technicalities specified in Chapter 12, my favourite chapter, from which I took away so much. You have brilliantly explained the core psychological theories in the simplest terms which have made me better understand inferior functions (introverted intuitions) vis-a-vis my best attributes (extroverted thinking).
Needless to say, this book is not a self-help because its aim is not to change who I am or my habits or my ways of life; but rather, as stereotype as it may sound, this book is a self-reflection enabling me to be at peace with how I operate within the chaos of my wild and rugged mind.
Thank you for sharing this precious survival guide which without doubt other ENFPs will enjoy, and most importantly, help the other personalities understand that we are not exactly crazy ... but insanely intense in everything that we do.
Until we meet again at an ENFP party somewhere in the world. From your reader who has adored this guide to bits!
May 6, 2016
Once upon a time, I thought I was an INFP.
I was wrong.
First off, I love Heidi Priebe. After all, I just finished How You'll Do Everything Based On Your Personality Type. If you haven't checked her out on Thought Catalog, I highly recommend it. If you don't know your MBTI, go here.
As an ENFP, I feel crazy about 98% of the time. "Having a thousand great ideas that you never follow through on", "wanting to be alone....but like, with other people nearby" and "being a walking contradiction in almost every way" are my three favorite descriptions of myself that I read in this book. Along with a multitude of others, because that's the point of MBTI, right? To read a description, snap your fingers and go, "Yes! Someone gets me!"
The book is split into sections -- Introducing the ENFP, Growing Up ENFP, ENFPs in the Workplace, Unhealthy ENFP Behaviors, ENFP Relationships, etc. The breakdown made sense and flowed well. The ENFP in me fought to skip past the boring cognitive function section, but it proved useful and actually quite interesting.
My favorite part of the book was the section on Unhealthy ENFP Behaviors. Yes, it's all fun and games to read funny stuff about your type. But the nitty-gritty-shitty stuff is where it's at. Of course, as Priebe states in the book, it's a spectrum. Characteristics range from healthy to unhealthy and all the bits in between. For example, a healthy ENFP is reflective, meaning they need alone time to recharge and reflect on their emotions. However, on the flip side, an unhealthy ENFP may become reclusive, where they avoid social interaction in favor of obsessing over their feelings. There is a difference between being principled and self-righteous, etc. It was enlightening to read about these behaviors and spot the ones where I may lean toward the unhealthy side -- IE the difference between being agreeable and a pushover.
It was a long, delightful read that I looked forward to opening each night.
In the end of the book, a group of ENFPs describe why they love their type. This one summed it up perfectly, and I couldn't have said it better myself.
"I like that I can lead a group, sit in solitude for days, think far ahead, improvise, be a huge ball of energy, calm down others when they're stressed, be a mushball, be tough and decisive, create new opportunities for myself, adapt to the world around me...I defy so many stereotypes, and I like it that way!"
If you're an ENFP, pick this up. If not, pick up her other book that features all of the types. Or hit Thought Catalog. Whatever. I rated this a 4/5.
I was wrong.
First off, I love Heidi Priebe. After all, I just finished How You'll Do Everything Based On Your Personality Type. If you haven't checked her out on Thought Catalog, I highly recommend it. If you don't know your MBTI, go here.
As an ENFP, I feel crazy about 98% of the time. "Having a thousand great ideas that you never follow through on", "wanting to be alone....but like, with other people nearby" and "being a walking contradiction in almost every way" are my three favorite descriptions of myself that I read in this book. Along with a multitude of others, because that's the point of MBTI, right? To read a description, snap your fingers and go, "Yes! Someone gets me!"
The book is split into sections -- Introducing the ENFP, Growing Up ENFP, ENFPs in the Workplace, Unhealthy ENFP Behaviors, ENFP Relationships, etc. The breakdown made sense and flowed well. The ENFP in me fought to skip past the boring cognitive function section, but it proved useful and actually quite interesting.
My favorite part of the book was the section on Unhealthy ENFP Behaviors. Yes, it's all fun and games to read funny stuff about your type. But the nitty-gritty-shitty stuff is where it's at. Of course, as Priebe states in the book, it's a spectrum. Characteristics range from healthy to unhealthy and all the bits in between. For example, a healthy ENFP is reflective, meaning they need alone time to recharge and reflect on their emotions. However, on the flip side, an unhealthy ENFP may become reclusive, where they avoid social interaction in favor of obsessing over their feelings. There is a difference between being principled and self-righteous, etc. It was enlightening to read about these behaviors and spot the ones where I may lean toward the unhealthy side -- IE the difference between being agreeable and a pushover.
It was a long, delightful read that I looked forward to opening each night.
In the end of the book, a group of ENFPs describe why they love their type. This one summed it up perfectly, and I couldn't have said it better myself.
"I like that I can lead a group, sit in solitude for days, think far ahead, improvise, be a huge ball of energy, calm down others when they're stressed, be a mushball, be tough and decisive, create new opportunities for myself, adapt to the world around me...I defy so many stereotypes, and I like it that way!"
If you're an ENFP, pick this up. If not, pick up her other book that features all of the types. Or hit Thought Catalog. Whatever. I rated this a 4/5.
November 8, 2016
a punch in the gut is what this is! and a punch every ENFP needs desperately. a well written book by an author who truly understands what it is to be ENFP; the positives are of course wonderful to read and feel good about, but this is not a book that makes you feel special, it makes you want to be special by fixing your crappy side. thank god the author is an ENFP, Maybe that's why the punch to the gut doesn't hurt as much.
December 29, 2015
I felt understood for the first time. This was an eye-opening read with regards to the way the ENFP personality type develops and how it relates to other personality types. Insightful and thought provoking. -an ENFP :)
October 14, 2019
I felt very narcissistic reading this. That being said, half of it was good and informative, the other half read a bit like a Buzzfeed article.
January 20, 2020
In a phrase: PLAYFUL AND INTUITIVE just like you!
A keeper for reference for life.
This book,Heidi, knew me more than was comfortable and explained (MBPTI) cognitive functions for the ENFP in a clear way that kept me constantly intrigued and in an " I knew it " fit every few pages!
Insights to why people believe and perceive life the way they do , were especially interesting to my people curious mind.
Heidi will tell you all the stuff you need to hear but hate to realize. Every ENFP should read this. In it, she gives tools for developing our auxiliary cognitive functions and restoring the natural stacking when in(/ crisis mode. She will also trigger you constantly in a most moving way.
One of my favorite self discovery books.
A keeper for reference for life.
This book,Heidi, knew me more than was comfortable and explained (MBPTI) cognitive functions for the ENFP in a clear way that kept me constantly intrigued and in an " I knew it " fit every few pages!
Insights to why people believe and perceive life the way they do , were especially interesting to my people curious mind.
Heidi will tell you all the stuff you need to hear but hate to realize. Every ENFP should read this. In it, she gives tools for developing our auxiliary cognitive functions and restoring the natural stacking when in(/ crisis mode. She will also trigger you constantly in a most moving way.
One of my favorite self discovery books.
August 24, 2019
I could see why ENFP individuals could benfit from this as myself did.
I am really grateful I read this book
I am really grateful I read this book
September 22, 2021
There is a lot of debate about the MBTI. However, I found this book to be really informative and I could really spot myself in it as and ENFP. Answered a lot of questions. Really useful.
April 12, 2016
Got this for a fellow ENFP because he was/is way too TOXIC, he loves the book (ALL ABOUT HIMSELF) That says alot...Narcissitic, eh? ENFP's are great but "creepy" when they are toxic. I'm not sure he recognizes himself as being "too needy" to the point of abusing other peoples boundaries. As a fellow ENFP, this is just a "personality guide" book. It's more of an affirmation, self-full filling prophecy. i.e. that everything the ENFP does is okay. It's not. Add a self-help chapter please. ENFP's can be narcissitic under the guise of people pleasers. Or people pleasers who are so obsessed with being looked at as "wonderful gifts from god" that they will continue to give cake to diabetic as long as it gives them a smile. Please! Please! Stop the insanity. - Fellow ENFP
September 10, 2016
This was an extremely satisfying read as an ENFP. Heidi Priebe's book starts by briefly dissecting the MBTI type indicator, and explains how the order of your underlying cognitive functions shape how you perceive and judge the world around you. It focuses equally on the benefits and pitfalls of the type, and is richly illustrated with anecdotes from other ENFPs (and other types' perception of the ENFP). An interesting bonus at the end, the book compares the ENFP's compatibility with other types, and offers tips on how to understand them better. Overall, this is a great and comprehensive ENFP 101 guide.
February 21, 2017
Amazing!! I felt like I was reading an autobiography. It was so incredible. The things about the shadow functions and the shadow personality were so interesting omg! LIKE I KNOW MBTI IS A PSEUDOSCIENCE AND PERSONALITY CAN'T BE MEASURED AND THAT IT IS A FORER EFFECT. BLAH BLAH BLAH BUT IT'S JUST SO FUN!!!!
January 20, 2016
Enjoyable read, fun to think about, not sure how much I buy into the pseudo-science of it all though - reads like a collection of blog posts (which it basically is).
January 8, 2017
For me, Reading this book was the kind of experience you know for sure you will never be the same person after having it.
December 3, 2021
This was uneven (debut book), but really surprisingly good and helpful. It was also quite funny. I am an ENFP and kept texting my husband good snippets as I read, and he was all “Thank goodness there’s a manual! I will read it next.” 😂 It was relatable and rang true to my experience, and the advice was insightful in places. Of course, some parts of it more applicable than others, use with discretion.
The central insight I came away with has to do with the stacking of functions and kind of how that works. Basically, you have an order in which you naturally respond to situations, and as you practice and mature, the more you can use them all appropriately. It explains a lot. In my role as homeschool mom, I mostly need to use my tertiary and inferior (so, 3rd and 4th) functions to make the day happen. No WONDER it’s exhausting.
Priebe discusses how ENFPs relate to other types, and I thoroughly enjoyed her discussion of INTJs. It was very us.
The central insight I came away with has to do with the stacking of functions and kind of how that works. Basically, you have an order in which you naturally respond to situations, and as you practice and mature, the more you can use them all appropriately. It explains a lot. In my role as homeschool mom, I mostly need to use my tertiary and inferior (so, 3rd and 4th) functions to make the day happen. No WONDER it’s exhausting.
Priebe discusses how ENFPs relate to other types, and I thoroughly enjoyed her discussion of INTJs. It was very us.
August 4, 2022
Nyugodtan körberöhöghet bárki, hogy a nem túl tudományos MBTI-személyiségtípusomról olvasok diplomás pszichológusként (igen, mára kiderült, hogy viszonylag extrovertált vagyok), de a Laura Bates-féle Men Who Hate Women-nel párhuzamosan szükségem volt egy feel good, könnyed olvasmányra, hogy ne legyek egy hétig a béka segge alatt, mert olvasok.
A könyv rövid, könnyen fogyasztható, és tényleg eléri, hogy jól érezd magad a bőrödben, ha ENFP vagy, ráadásul még hasznos tanácsot is ad, hogy a szétszórtságra hajlamos személyiségeddel hogyan tartsd kézben a dolgokat (a saját tippem: határidőnapló - életmentő!), és hogyan fejlesztheted magad.
(Ha valakit érdekel a véleményem, az összes személyiségtípus-rendszer reduktív, és képtelen megragadni az emberi komplexitást, ezért mindegy, melyikre kattanunk rá, és használjuk keretként (persze ne csak ez alapján interaktáljuk az emberekkel). Ráadásul az MBTI jó mémeket inspirál.)
A könyv rövid, könnyen fogyasztható, és tényleg eléri, hogy jól érezd magad a bőrödben, ha ENFP vagy, ráadásul még hasznos tanácsot is ad, hogy a szétszórtságra hajlamos személyiségeddel hogyan tartsd kézben a dolgokat (a saját tippem: határidőnapló - életmentő!), és hogyan fejlesztheted magad.
(Ha valakit érdekel a véleményem, az összes személyiségtípus-rendszer reduktív, és képtelen megragadni az emberi komplexitást, ezért mindegy, melyikre kattanunk rá, és használjuk keretként (persze ne csak ez alapján interaktáljuk az emberekkel). Ráadásul az MBTI jó mémeket inspirál.)
April 10, 2020
This book is funny, helpful, and written in a way that the average non-psych-degree-holding person can understand. The best parts of it for me are about ENFPs can be more successful at work. The part I didn't enjoy was a bunch of testimonials about jobs that anonymous ENFPs have and enjoy or do not enjoy. It's a light listen (I listened on Audible) that I got a lot out of. I don't know if it's the tone of the narrator or if it was intended to be perceived this way, but I got the vibe that either the narrator or author thinks very highly of ENFPs, and I thought that this could potentially be off putting to non-ENFPs. Still, it held my attention (no easy feat as an ENFP!) and gave me some valuable tips.
November 26, 2017
Given as a gift from my favorite INFP, this survival guide would may only be riveting if you are an ENFP....which of course I am. Although Kimber gave this to me last Christmas, I didn't read it until she insisted that I not make another major life decision until I had read the book to better understand my own brain. It was definitely thought provoking.
Best of all, it was more lovely fuel for my Meyers-Briggs hobby. I think the strength of this book lies in both Priebe's insight and into her excellent descriptions of the importance of the cognitive function stacks.
Best of all, it was more lovely fuel for my Meyers-Briggs hobby. I think the strength of this book lies in both Priebe's insight and into her excellent descriptions of the importance of the cognitive function stacks.
January 4, 2023
This book was given to me by a dear best friend and I truly only have good things to say about it. I’ve been a myers briggs junkie for years & thought I knew pretty much everything about my type, but I found so many eye opening revelations in this. It’s really helped me recognize the best ways to take care of myself and that I can appreciate every stage of my development. Loved loved LOVED. I’m indebted to you forever, Leah!! Best gift ever!!
January 20, 2021
learned a great deal about myself (or finally made sense of myself and attributes!), but i was left with some dissatisfaction. prob because i was like ... that’s it? personally am a fan of heidi because i read her other book which was helpful to me at the time. i like how it’s easily digestible
March 31, 2017
Loved this book! Highly recommend!
If you want to understand yourself more clearly, then this book will help. Having been stuck in a loop I feel inspired to break out of it and re-set. Yay!!! I love being an ENFP ❤
If you want to understand yourself more clearly, then this book will help. Having been stuck in a loop I feel inspired to break out of it and re-set. Yay!!! I love being an ENFP ❤
April 9, 2019
Always good to revisit this book. Very helpful and informative, although I couldn't help but be distracted by some of the typos. All in all, worth the reread!
September 22, 2019
Really good read. In-depth look at a personality type, with good examples to help in understanding complex ideas, with mbti background info. Favourite chapters were the ones that focused on the shadow functions. Insightful, will be re-reading this over and over.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 173 reviews