#cognitive function development

[highonmbti]

Just saw the previous ask, this is so cool! Tips for developing ESFP inferior functions?

The ESFPs weaker functions are actually the same as the ISFPs! Except Ni the weakest in ESFPs, while Te is the weakest for ISFPs. 

Here’s the link to the ISFP post for your reference: Tips for developing Ni and Te

[e-n-t-p]

As an ENTP, how do I hone my cognitive functions, including the dominant ones? P.S. - Great blog!

I’m glad you enjoy it! Also it’s great to know there are more ENTPs on it. Welcome. 

Alright so I have this page to help with function development, it’s fairly new though so expect more content (hopefully) pretty soon. 

To “hone” your cognitive functions as you said, you want to try to do isolated tasks to target each one, similar to working out. If you want stronger arms, doing sit ups won’t do much. The ENTP stack is Ne-Ti-Fe-Si. Ne is a lot of fun to develop since it already comes very naturally to us. Some things you can do to refine it are:

PUZZLES! Crosswords and sudoku are great because you have to sift through many possible answers

Make mind maps. Start with one idea, time yourself, and see where you can get in a certain period of time. Then take your favorite idea and do it again but all focusing around how to improve that idea. This also helps with creative problem solving.

If you see a post on tumblr saying “I won’t be satisfied with ___ until I can do ___ and ___, don’t just agree with it or ignore it, try to figure out how it’s possible! I keep a notebook with me while on tumblr so that I can write down anything that I could use to make something new. For example earlier today I was scrolling through my dashboard and I saw a post that said, “I won’t be satisfied with technology until I can close a youtube tab and the music keeps playing.” Obviously it isn’t a huge deal either way, but that’s what makes it fun! I started sketching possible designs and brainstorming a program that would combine Youtube and iTunes while still giving artists the credit they deserve. 

Push things. You love your couch. Cool. How could it be better? The display on your TV is great. That;s nice, but it could be even greater, right? Of course, don’t always VOICE these proposals, as you may come across as ungrateful or argumentative. 

Since this post might end up being pretty long, I’m going to put the rest under a cut. In this post I’m only going to cover the ENTP functions but if you like it and want to see your own type’s, feel free to message me!

Again, puzzles are pretty good for this. Also try Rubik’s Cubes since they require critical thinking and planning things logically.

Find an object/ picture/ painting and really dissect it. Why does the layout look like that. What did the artist/ builder have in mind for this project? Why did they make it? Focus on whys and hows.

Stop letting your brain take shortcuts and start really seeing. Look at the reasons for things, looks at how that thing interacts with other things. Focus on tiny details and begin dissecting things in your head. It’s interesting how people can draw things that look three-dimensional, but it’s also extremely cool to be able to look at something physical and try to see it as a two-dimensional object. Distort your reality. 

Fe let’s go!

When you’re with people, take note of how they react to certain topics, gestures, or questions. Not only will this help you develop your Fe, you will basically create a cheat-sheet for receiving good reactions. Don’t just look at how they react to you, see how they interact with other people/ how they react to a person joining or dropping out of the conversation. 

When you’re alone, consider their behaviors again. Think about what made them react like that and why they did certain things. Become very familiar with the inner workings of emotions and compatibility.

Try keeping up with a mood chart 

LOOK AT THIS and figure out the linkages between each one

And finally, Si:

Watch Crash Course History vids and consider what we, as a human race, have learned from each of the events talked about.

Think about your own past and how relevant events have influenced you as a person. Consider what you’ve learned from them.

Use your Ne to activate your Si. When you come up with a new idea, think about previous ideas or happenings that are related to this idea. 

Alright! That was actually a lot of fun to write up so thanks for the ask!