The INFP personality type isnāt usually associated with entrepreneurship, probably because entrepreneurship often brings to mind images of go-getters who wonāt stop until they reach that six-figure income.
Unfortunately, thatās the stereotype that surrounds entrepreneurship. As an INFP the way I view striking out on my own is different from the imagery of āentrepreneurshipā I see thrown around out there.
From March to August I will be writing on the topic of The INFP Entrepreneur. I believe that INFPās have something unique to bring when it comes to the way that business is done.
Before I dig into my view of entrepreneurship as it relates to my personality type, there are a few things I want to get straight. First of all, I am still learning about being a profitable entrepreneur. So if you dream of making that livable income, Iām not there yet myself.
Right now when it comes to business, Iām in the weird in-between zone. Iām not yet making enough to live off but the potential is there 100%. Making enough to live from writing is in my reach, but itās going to take another year or so to get there.
Okay, so if Iām not sharing the āLatest Key to Success!ā what am I writing about? Iām writing about the things that have given me a solid start in my online solopreneurship journey as an INFP.
Over the next several months Iāll be sharing how I transitioned my hobby into a business, how having a helping mindset has been key for me as an INFP business-maker, and the things Iāve done to make working for myself enjoyable and less about the hustle.
What I have to share is more about independent work ethic, work wellness, and narrowing down business ideas than the nuts and bolts of running a business. Itās more big picture than details.
Iāve been fascinated with entrepreneurship since forever. I was reading business books back when I was in elementary school, before the internet as we know it today. Itās thrilling to see that starting a business is so much more accessible now. I am especially interested in creative/artistic online businesses and solopreneurship.
When it comes to entrepreneurship, it irks me when business success is only looked at through the lens of how much money is made. Yes, making a profit is important! Thatās what makes it a viable business.
But for me, itās not about the specific dollar amount, but the amount of money I need to live the life I want. And the lifestyle I enjoy is simple, light on resources, and doesnāt cost much to maintain. In fact, as an INFP, a self-made business can feel unsuccessful regardless of how much money itās bringing in when it doesnāt align with my emotional needs.
Starting a business is challenging, especially since thereās so much competition and a high risk of failure. But I canāt help doing it anyway, and hereās why:
I Want Work that Aligns With What I Care About
In previous jobs Iāve held, I noticed that as soon as I stopped caring, my work performance suffered. I think this is true for everyone, but I must say that since I place so much emphasis on activities feeling worthy of my time, I canāt keep working. My job performance doesnāt take a slight decline, but more like a nosedive off a cliff.
Some people can plug away at jobs they donāt care about without complaint. I, on the other hand, feel like I am dying inside when I do work that lacks personal significance.
I wish I wasnāt this way. It would be great if I could disconnect from how I feel and keep working. But going through the motions puts me into a depressive funk. I become the most useless, miserable employee ever. Feeling content while working for others is a major struggle.
No matter what I do, the way my job feels is right up there with how much income I make from it. When I build my own business, I can create something that matches my values and what I want to experience.
I Want to Feel Useful and Indispensable
Usually, after two years of working at a new job, Iām hit with the irrational fear that my employer doesnāt want me anymore, and theyāre going to let me go. This has happened at every job Iāve had thatās lasted over two years, and it doesnāt matter how well I am doing.
Iām hit with the thought, āWhat am I doing here? They donāt need me.ā I dislike feeling replaceable. Iāve had the privilege of working with people who were higher up in the workplace than me who were so skilled at what they did that they were indispensable. I knew my employer would hold on to them for as long as they could because there was no one else like them on the job.
As for me, the positions in which I was employed were not using my unique skills. I could be easily replaced, and that insight made me want to leave the hierarchy and do my own thing.
I Want to Set My Own Schedule
I want to work when it is right for me. Overall, Iām more focused on quality of life over income. Iām willing to accept a lower-paying job and a simpler lifestyle if it gives me the time for the other things that are important to me.
Recently I read an interesting article on Vox entitled, The Problem is Work. What I loved about this article is how it highlighted how work culture in the United States is designed without family responsibilities in mind. Typical work positions require people to work as if they donāt have a family.
This is not the life I want to live, so I feel compelled to do my own thing. Working with family and loved ones in mind also can mean settling for a lower-income because less time is spent working. This means that I work with less hustle than is typical for entrepreneurs. As a result, I have to bootstrap more and maintain a live well on less mentality.
My husband also runs his own business. Heās an ENFP and only works two days a week. He could work more and make more money, but having time for friends, family, and the other things he cares about is more important to him.
Along with making my own schedule, I dislike feeling pressured. I prefer working at my own pace. I also donāt care for having a manager staring at me all day. Iām an adult. I donāt need a baby-sitter.
So this is why being an entrepreneur is attractive to me as an INFP, and I canāt wait to share with you the tips and tricks Iāve learned so far about doing business online as a sensitive introvert.
Does anything in this article resonate with you? If so, feel free to reach out via Twitter or Email. I would love to know what you think!