I found this photo here. See, look at me, following the rules of blogging... |
The ISTJ has an extremely long attention span, and once he/she has a goal or task, will work tirelessly to fulfill it. In fact, this article states that schools cater to the 10% of the population who are ISTJs. We are the perfect rule-following worker bees.
This summarizes my marathon training and racing philosophy in a nutshell: Put my head down and grind it out until I get it done. If I don't do it the first time, try again. And again. What I lack in natural talent, I attempt to make up for in sheer determination.
ISTJ's believe that for the most part, established procedures are the best ones. Um, hello, Mr. Pfitzinger. During this marathon training cycle, I hitched my train to his wagon and whatever he said, went. I am proud to say that I never missed or cut short any workouts for any reason, and I always met or exceeded the plan's weekly mileage totals. What? That isn't how everyone trains? Why not??? Read on...
Image found here. |
ISTJ's prefer to be lone wolves, but will work well with others if needed. At my first 5K, I attempted to race with my friends. About a quarter-mile in, I realized they were no longer beside me. Even in training, I prefer to set my own pace and my own schedule. At some level, it is a necessity, due to my husband's and children's sometimes-crazy schedules. But even if I had all the time in the world to train, I would still prefer solitude. After races, however, I love social interaction!
When ISTJ's succeed, they usually see their accomplishments as simply the natural fulfillment of their hard work. I encountered this after each of my marathons; it took some time for what I had done to sink in, since part of me thought that since I worked so hard, success should be all but assured. After all the books, blogs and articles I have read which prove otherwise, I should know better!
Since ISTJ's often take their own efforts for granted, they have a tendency to take other people's efforts for granted, as well. I would like to think that I do a good job of encouraging others on their accomplishments (my children and husband, as well as other runners), but this is definitely not something to ever ever neglect!
Now Martha, that's a little harsh, don't you think?? Image found here. |
Overall, I dig being an ISTJ. It is too bad that despite a thorough Google search, I could not find "long-distance runner" as a suggested career or hobby for ISTJs. I guess they just figure that if ISTJ's work hard enough, they can make anything happen!
What Myers-Briggs Personality Type are you? Can you relate it to your running? How does it relate (if at all)?
Interesting! I'd say I am pretty similar to you, but haven't taken the test!
ReplyDeleteAwesome, Michelle! ISTJ Power!!! :)
DeleteI got ESTJ. So I'd say we're pretty similar. I'm only a rule follower if the rules make sense to me. If the rules are there just because, nope, I won't follow them. This has made for some interesting life lessons for me! LOL!
ReplyDelete~wendy
I have a feeling there are some stories there, Wendy! The way I prefer to think about is: I don't follow rules blindly; I just see the rule, and unless I am presented with some evidence that the rule should be broken (morally or otherwise), I give the rule the benefit of the doubt. I should really work for the DMV or something -- LOL!
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