“Would you please do a post on how to get out of the grip of your inferior functions?”

Hmm, funny. I was going to do a post on this independently of your question (great minds think alike). Actually, forget I said that. Great minds pride themselves on thinking differently.

There are multiple ways you can pull yourself out of your grip functions, but heres the basic method.

#1 Accept that you’re in the grip

It goes without saying that if you don’t accept that you have a problem, you cannot fix that problem. (I’m assuming that you’ve already accepted this though, since you’re asking how to fix it –mostly this step is just for people who don’t see the need to get better). Denying the fact that you are in the grip of your lower functions can only exacerbate the damage that you are doing to yourself by remaining in their grip.

Self-control is difficult regardless of personality type, but acceptance is always the first step to disciplining yourself. You have to not only logically accept that there’s a problem, but you need to put your will into solving the problem.

#2 If possible, eliminate the catalyst for your grip

I’m more than aware that it isn’t always possible to remove stress or circumstantial problems from our lives. However, in the case that it is possible to remove the catalyst behind your grip problem –DO IT. (I cannot stress that more).

If you don’t know what’s causing your stress, definitely find out. Try to confront your problem if it needs confronting, and avoid it if you need to stay away from it.

If anything, stress management can help (though stress isn’t always the cause for grip experience).

#3 Focus on trying to engage a higher function

If you’re in the grip of your lower functions, your basic problem is that you’re relying only on them, while neglecting your upper functions. Here’s a basic guide for how to engage your upper functions.

Si: Think about your past and try to recall details and information. Don’t try so hard to avoid hard things that happened to you, but rather, face them, allow them to teach you something. Do things, revisit places that you loved as a kid, or that remind you of fond memories. Be aware that your Si memory is subjective to your internal interpretation of events, and not necessarily a strict record of what actually happened.

Se: Notice the physical world around you. Don’t restrict your impulses so much and take time to enjoy life in the moment. Do more physical activities –anything that forces you to be completely in your body and aware of it’s movement in your environment.

Fi: Don’t repress your feelings. Think about them, process them. Form silent friendships with others. Strive for a consistency between your choices/actions and what you authentically believe. Aim for individuality and self-assurance in your beliefs. Pay attention to what you love or hate and ask yourself why they do.

Fe: explore emotional character arcs in movies and books. Try to connect emotionally with other people and spread compliments like pollen. Practice talking about your feelings and sharing your interests with other people. Don’t bottle up your feelings or be passive aggressive when others are not acting according to your standards, but rather, confront them gently about the problem. Talk through your emotions with them.

Ni: Visualize and plan for your future, then work toward a specific set of goal. Narrow your focus and zoom in on an idea, project or concept to understand it in-depth, fully and completely. Look for meaning and symbolism in every day life. Pay attention to hunches and suspicions about people and situations. Pay attention to patterns of behavior and try to figure out how outward patterns connect to people’s inner lives.

Ne: When watching movies/ reading books, look for patterns of behavior, plot, and creative ideas. Expose yourself to a wide array of genres and don’t limit yourself to strict ideas –fill yourself with ideas. Try learning how to mind-map (that seems to help Ne idea-production). Try to make connections between seemingly disconnected subjects and things. Look for symbolism and meaning in everyday life. Do anything creative, be it art, music, writing –whatever it is you like to do that’s creative, and try to make it new. Stop following instruction manuals so much and try to figure things out on your own. Open your perspective on people and ideas so that it’s broad and non-biased.

Ti: Figure out how things work. Practice metacognition (analyzing your own thought process), and strive for a consistent thought pattern. Ask questions where you don’t understand. Look for the why behind everything. Why do I do what I do? Why does this machine work the way it does? etc.

Te: Organize everything –your desk, your books etc. Write lists and cross things off as you complete them. Set deadlines and discipline yourself to meet them. Try to aim your efforts toward creating something that is useful or on improving systems that are not up to par. Aim for efficiency. Speak directly to people, and learn how to delegate and organize people to accomplish something. Practice leadership, if you must.