Filipe Otavio asked: “In the case that the INxJ doesn’t have a grand life-vision (and this does happen), the INxJ will likely be quite unhappy with their life and…immature for an INxJ. The reason for this is that the life-vision constitutes a major portion of the INxJ’s dominant function, and when a dominant function is neglected, the results tend to be negative.

I think I’m in that situation for years right now. I’m trying hard, but some advice from a fellow INTJ would help:

Are there some practical way to find that life vision, being a lost INTJ?”

I would admonish you to make a thorough appraisal of your personal core values. Establishing a life vision when you’re uncertain about what’s important to you is a bit infeasible.

With a transparent understanding of your intrinsic priorities, you can start to identify actions you can take in your life that will fulfill those values. As you do this consistently, you’ll likely find that long-term goals and visions will come naturally.

To help put this into perspective, I’ll provide two examples from my own life.

Example #1

Growth is one of my main values. When I’m not actively growing in some way, I am less happy and less fulfilled, and I spend my time with a lingering sense that life is purposeless. This is, I believe, more or less what you describe. To reverse this, growth has ultimately become part of my life vision.

While I do fit the characteristic description of an INTJ in that I’ve had long-term goals from the time I could walk (I always knew what career I wanted, and had specific things I intended to accomplish in said career), but––having classic to-do list style goals isn’t really what instils me with fulfilment. Instead, it’s the sense that I’m always working towards aligning my life with my values. Think of it as values creating the vision.

For that reason, I regularly set goals that are oriented towards personal growth. At one time, this may look like learning new social skills, while at another it may mean working through trauma in therapy.

Example #2

Creativity and freedom are also key values for me. Knowing this, I’ve built much of my life around these values. Though I’m analytical enough to have done well in a STEM field, I chose a creative career. In addition to providing me with plenty of lengthy creative projects to work on, my job also allows me to be creative with the way I structure my time and workspace.

I work from home and choose when I work, meaning that I can be as creative as I want with how I optimize my schedule. I have an unconventional workspace and work style (which is at least in part owing to late-diagnosed ASD) and value having the freedom to honour those needs. In addition to being fitted with an alternative chair, my workspace is also highly curated with objects and art that inspire me to continue being creative. 

Psychology Today has a useful article about how to identify your personal values. In it, they examine types of values and offer suggestions for how to start acting on yours. They also have a second article suggesting where to find lists of values (for exploration) along with additional advice for identifying and implementing yours.