Ideal Seeker (NF):

• core needs: unique identity, meaning, authenticity
• overall mood: enthusiastic
• self-image: empathetic, benevolent, authentic
• language: dramatic
• trust: imagination, intuition
• yearn for: romance
• seek: identity
• supports/fosters: growth
• esteemed by: helping people
• irritated by: being treated impersonally
• fantasizes being: a Messiah, sage
• what causes guilt: letting someone down
• loves: integrity, honesty
• wants to be appreciated for: unique contributions
• orientation: altruistic
• at work, promotes: growth
• career focus: ideas & causes, contexts & people

General Temperament:

• direct their intuition and insight toward understanding themselves and others
• value integrity and strive for genuineness and authenticity
• tend to have a vision of an ideal world and want to work toward creating that vision on earth
• sensitive to others' emotional needs and are skillful at bringing out the best in people
• can be disappointed when projects or people don't turn out as they expected because they put so much faith and energy into them
• like working in a friendly, conflict-free environment
• self-righteous about values and take offense if others don't accept their ideas
• working with people who don't encourage, appreciate or affirm them can be difficult
• dislike standard procedures and tight supervision
• have an anti-authoritarian attitude and often take sides with the underdog
• dream of having a deeply fulfilling and meaningful relationship with an "ideal" partner
• like talking with partner about future plans and goals
• seek self-actualization and meaning in their lives
• invest a lot of effort, emotion and enthusiasm into relationships
• will disappear if they feel too suffocated

Typical Values:

• authenticity
• being acknowledged
• communication
• compassion
• creativity
• democracy
• emotions
• empathy
• enthusiam
• friendship
• harmony
• honesty
• individuality
• integrity
• intuition
• love
• natural potential
• optimism
• patience
• peace
• pleasing others
• positive feedback
• public contact
• relationships
• romance
• self-understanding
• sensitivity
• sincerity
• spirituality
• teamwork
• trustworthiness
• unity

Typical Annoyances/Stressers

• arrogance
• being lied to
• being yelled at
• bossy, negative people
• chaos
• conflict
• cruelty to children and animals
• cynics
• dealing with untrustworthy people
• disharmony
• heartlessness
• injustice
• insensitivity
• isolation
• judgemental people
• lack of communication
• lack of integrity
• lack of romance
• lack of support
• lack of understanding
• narrow-mindedness
• no hugs
• not being able to express oneself
• overly agressive people
• paperwork and too many details
• people who won't grow
• procedures and red tape
• rigidity
• tunnel vision

Typical Natural Gifts/Talents:

• acknowledging others - recognizing and validating others for who they are
• building rapport - bringing harmony to a relationship
• building self-esteem - helping others feel good about themselves
• communicating - effectively exchanging verbal or written information with others
• consulting - giving professional advice
• coordinating - bringing people and activities together in a harmonious way
• counseling - helping others with their personal and professional problems
• enlightening - giving spiritual insight
• expressing feelings - openly communicating feelings with other people
• facilitating groups - assisting a group to harmoniously move in a positive direction
• fostering - nurturing
• guiding others - steering or directing people in a positive direction
• healing - restoring health
• helping others - improving the lives of others
• influencing others - having an effect on the lives of other people
• inspiring others - having an exalting influence upon others
• interviewing others - using good communication skills to obtain information from another person
• listening - hearing and paying attention to what others have to say
• mentoring - coaching and supporting others in the direction they want to go in
• nurturing - developing and fostering the potential in others
• supporting others - assisting others emotionally
• teaching - enlightening others and motivating them to learn
• visualizing - imagining possibilities
• working as a team - bringing a group together to meet a common goal

Tips for Ideal Seekers:

• look for work that fits your ideals and interests
  • make sure it allows you to be an individual and express yourself
• avoid taking every comment and remark personally
• remember that people are human and that a mix of good and bad qualities in everyone is natural
  • don't let your expectations be too unrealistic
• be aware of blaming others or finding fault with them when they don't meet your expectations
• avoid becoming overly involved in other people's lives
  • keep a balanced focus between their needs and yours
• notice your tendency to project ideal qualities onto others
  • when meeting someone new, engage in reality testing and ask practical questions before leaping into a relationship
• avoid being overly solicitous and overly giving
  • learn to say no
• beware of encouraging others' dependence on you
• become more in touch with your senses
  • learn to be connected with your body and with nature
• learn to enjoy the present and the everyday realities of life
  • accept the gifts of each moment
• learn to be more objective and to impersonally examine the consequences of your choices and actions
• discern what is actually being communicated, not just what is between the lines
• find friends who understand and appreciate you
  • go to places where other Ideal Seekers are likely to be, such as classes in psychology, literature, art, or spirituality
• set realistic goals so you don't feel frustrated and disappointed when you don't accomplish all you hoped to
  • wallowing in guilt and self-reproach is a waste of time
• value your unique contributions and strive to be your authentic self