A Mediator’s (INFP) Paradox: How Laziness Can Spark Productivity
Ask a Mediator (INFP) personality type about their ideal day, and it will likely include quiet time, self-reflection, artistic activities, a moment for deep connection with friends, and a peaceful walk in nature. They might bring up just sitting in their comfy chair and contemplating life, the world order, and all that comes in between. Some Mediators might even mention their work, if they’ve found their calling. Engaging in purposeful work that aligns with their values and helps them help others can satisfy their desire to have a positive impact on the world.
However, among all personality types, Mediators are the least likely to find their career to be the most important thing in their lives, according to our “Careers” survey.
“Self-Motivation” survey whether accomplishing many tasks in one day makes them feel drained, Mediators are more likely than any other personality type to say yes.
For a closer look at reframing the idea of laziness, see our article “Breaking the Chains of Laziness: A Fresh Perspective.”
When Laziness Turns into Avoidance and Disengagement
To make matters complicated, the line between resetting and giving in is fine. The allure of comfortable solitude, peace, and quiet can become so enticing that it morphs into a trap that Mediators cannot find their way out of. What starts as a much-needed break to recuperate can become a hesitation to resume the to-do list. When the moments of contemplation turn into a reluctance to face reality, it’s a sign that the balance has shifted from rest to avoidance.
It’s important for Mediator personalities to recognize when their moments of introspection and deep thought no longer provide a healthy recharge and inspiration but instead turn into a way to evade responsibilities. That which was just perceived as laziness actually becomes true laziness.
Recognizing this subtle shift requires a good amount of self-awareness. Ironically, Mediators would need a quiet moment of introspection to cultivate that. A clear first sign that Mediators have slipped over the line of resetting into laziness is when they begin avoiding tasks that they once enjoyed or find themselves delaying important commitments. That’s the moment when boundaries might become helpful, to create a schedule that allows for dedicated periods of reflection yet prevents Mediators from slipping into disengaged quietude.
Turning Laziness into a Creative Advantage
Instead of berating themselves for slipping and avoiding tasks, Mediators can view these moments as opportunities for growth and self-development. By acknowledging them first and accepting them second, Mediators can cultivate these moments into opportunities for creativity and innovation. When Mediators work toward recognizing these “slips” in the moment, they can start redirecting their energy.
Establishing routines that include both intentional stillness and purposeful action, as well as setting clear intentions for their moments of introspection, can be key to active engagement. By ensuring that these quiet moments do not overshadow their commitments, Mediators can enjoy the benefits of mental recharging and exploration without giving in to laziness.
Creative endeavors, such as painting, drawing, writing, or simply brainstorming ideas, can be a novel way to engage in activities that tap into the wellspring of inspiration. Everyone will benefit when Mediator personalities strike that balance between idleness and productivity just right.
Shifting Perspectives
Playing the game of tug-of-war can be fun – for a while. Until your muscles tense up, you get exhausted, and one side of the rope ends up on the floor, defeated. For Mediators, it may feel like the game never stops. One moment they’re trying to be the best at what they do and exceed expectations, and the next moment all they long for is to just sit and think. Neither side ever wins.
A completely new way of looking at it would be to drop this particular analogy altogether. Instead of feeling torn between the two seemingly opposing forces, Mediators can learn to embrace both aspects of their personality as complementary partners – a tandem bicycle, if you will. They go fastest when both partners cycle as hard as they can, but there’s still forward movement when one of them needs a break. Each rider brings their unique strengths and qualities to the journey. One of them navigates, the other one powers.
When it’s needed, Mediators can tap into their focused and ambitious side, pedaling hard to exceed those expectations at work and in life. This doesn’t mean that they have to give in to the overwhelming pressure to work themselves to exhaustion. They know when to tap into their power to face the steep slopes and can rely confidently on their ability to do so. Afterward, Mediators can relax, taking time to reflect, explore, and ideate, resting securely in the knowledge that they’re being guided in the right direction by the navigator.
A tandem bicycle is not a battle between two sides like a game of tug-of-war. The bicycle requires a coordinated effort with the same goal in mind. When Mediators can find the rhythm between their active and contemplative parts, they become unstoppable.
Embracing their multifaceted nature may be a departure from the straight lines that our society values, but Mediator personalities know how to flourish in complexity. And if they can apply this approach, people with this personality type will create a purposeful impact – whether through their career or through their life.
Have you embraced the tandem bicycle yet, or are you playing the tug-of-war game? Let us know in the comments!
Further Reading