Personality Facets: Your Not Just A Sensor or an Intuitive – Everyday Fulfillment
No Vacation Required
You’ve probably heard us say that we are the same personality types. As INFJs, intuition (N) is our dominant strength, so we prefer to live in a world of abstract concepts and big-picture ideas.
But if you were to watch us actually working through a project, you might notice that we don’t express that type in the same way. While Kent is happily exploring possibilities, there is a part of Caanan’s brain that is constantly pulling the emergency brake and asking, "Yeah, but is this actually realistic?"
For a long time, Caanan didn't understand why he had this deeply practical type. It felt at odds with his intuitive type. But as we dive into the second part of our facets series this week, we are looking at exactly why this happens.
As we explain in this episode, your personality type is like the architectural style of your house, but your facets are the individual rooms inside – they don’t always perfectly align. So, this week, we’re exploring the Sensing and Intuition (S/N) pairing to help you understand why you can be an intuitive who has a strong practical side, or a sensor who loves getting lost in theoretical debates.
We hope it helps you understand how nuanced your type can be!
Onward and Inward,
COMMON QUESTIONS ANSWERED IN THIS EPISODE
❓What are the Sensing and Intuition (S/N) facets? This pairing is all about how you perceive the world. Sensors generally focus on concrete information from their five senses, while Intuitives focus on patterns, meanings, and abstract concepts. Personality facets allow you to have traits from both sides, regardless of your overall type.
❓Can I be a Sensor who is highly imaginative? Absolutely. Your main type might be a Sensor, but you can have "out of preference" facets that make you highly imaginative, theoretical, or conceptual. This doesn't mean your personality type is wrong – it just means you have a beautifully nuanced personality.
❓What does it mean to be "Mid-Zone"? Being mid-zone on a facet means you don't strongly lean toward one side or the other. This is actually a massive superpower, as it allows you to easily bridge the gap between big-picture dreaming and detail-oriented, practical work.
❓Why do people sometimes mistype themselves? There are many reasons you might mis-peg your own personality. You might have taken a test in a work setting where you were answering as your "professional" self, or you might have adopted a "trauma type" that felt safest for you earlier in life.
CHAPTERS
(00:00) Mind Share: Long form crap
(04:35) Why your personality is "One in a Million”
(06:24) The Sensing vs. Intuition (S/N) pairing explained
(08:05) Real-life examples: The realistic intuitive
(11:35) Client story: The superpower of the “Mid-Zone"
(18:42) Mailbag: Why do we mis-peg our own personalities?
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TRANSCRIPT
TRANSCRIPT
(The following transcript is AI generated and may contain mistakes)
Caanan (00:00:01)
What if you're a sensing type who loves theories sees patterns everywhere, and has an incredibly vivid imagination? Or what if you're an intuitive who notices every tiny detail and remembers exactly what happened? Does that mean your type is wrong? Not necessarily. It just means your personality is more nuanced than a single letter suggests. So today, we're looking at facets underneath
Sensing and intuition, and why they can sometimes make you look surprisingly unlike your type.
Caanan (00:00:39)
Okay, Kent, I've got a mind share if you don't mind me just going. Go. Okay. Can we talk about I don't know what you would call it, long form rambly social media posts?
Kent (00:00:54)
I call it long form crap.
Caanan (00:00:56)
Long form crap. ⁓ Perfect. That's exactly what I think about it. But I just had this thing... You and I Kent, we talk about it all the time. So this is not surprising to you, but ⁓ I had this ⁓ experience the other day where I was reading something ⁓ on Reddit, and it was just the most ⁓ rambly, detailed, overly complicated post, and I thought.
my God, this person took so much time on this. And they're just shouting into the ether. Yeah. Nobody cares about what they wrote. I mean, I guess I read it, but or started to before I gave up. But I'm always thinking, like, how do you have the time for this? How is this how you're using your time? ⁓ it makes me kind of sad because you can tell somebody's passionate. I mean, assuming this isn't even a bot, right? But this is the point I actually want to make.
So often I look at these things and I think "you're writing this in response to what is likely a bot." Like all of this effort, hardly anybody's gonna read it. And I don't even think the thing you're responding to is real. ⁓
Kent (00:02:03)
Yeah.
Kent (00:02:10)
Yeah, I think that's... It just makes me so sad! ⁓ I think that's the key here. And y I think I've said this on another podcast. You're the one always reminding me of that. Like, wait a minute, whatever may not even be real. I completely vibe with what you're talking about because ⁓ I had a moment recently where I was ⁓ confronted with everybody's think piece ⁓ on no. ⁓
Caanan (00:02:36)
stop it.
Kent (00:02:37)
I know, I don't even tell him what it is, and he's already rubbing his eyes. Everybody's think piece on Odyssey. Is it called Odyssey or the Odyssey? I had the exact same feeling. Like, well, you know, this is nice. This really moved. You know how you get served things up algorithmically, and then you kind of see it all. But you're saying you start to see nobody's responding to this, and and you think you put your big think piece, your
Caanan (00:02:45)
Oh, The Odyssey, yeah.
Kent (00:03:07)
fourteen part social media posts out and all the time that took. And I know you really, really, really thought of that. ⁓
And wow, there's a couple cool things in there. Before I got a little cringy myself and was like, "Oh God, I'm not gonna read somebody's 14 panel Odyssey think piece." Yeah. You know, like the world's falling apart. So ⁓ it's it's a very conflicting thing, and I totally get it, where you think, ⁓ "okay, I know how much time this took.
Right. Yeah. And why are you doing this? I
Caanan (00:03:46)
Hey, I just want to clarify. I think it comes down to the platform and the audience. Like if you want to do ⁓ a four-hour think piece on the Odyssey, ⁓ make your YouTube channel. Yes. Put it out there. I think that's great if that's if you're passionate about it. ⁓ I can't remember the name of the woman, Jenny something, did a thing on the Star Wars Hotel that was four hours on YouTube and we watched it and it was brilliant. But
Kent (00:04:11)
These are different conversations ⁓ or ⁓
Caanan (00:04:13)
Very different things. If you're doing a Reddit comment that's ⁓ fourteen thousand words... yeah. Like you really have to assess that ⁓ internally. You have to say, Is this the best use of my time? ⁓ I'm sorry, I don't think it is.
Kent (00:04:35)
Okay, so in this four pack, and this is episode two in the four pack, ⁓ we're talking about facets, and we're really the most excited about this because facets are we take people from a one in ⁓ sixteen personality using the the framework that we use to a one in over a million personality. ⁓ so even though you share type with people, ⁓
You are so much more than that type. And that's where stuff gets really, really good. We completely believe in ⁓ the basic personality information. It's so we've seen it be so helpful to so many people, as we said in last week's episode. If you haven't listened to episode one in this war pack, ⁓ go back and listen to it. But facets are what bring you from ⁓ one ⁓
in sixteen in this case to one in over a million. And I was just thinking, Caanan you talked about or w we were talking about ⁓ the four hour the four letter personality type being like the architectural style of a house and the facets are the individual rooms or the furniture inside.
Caanan (00:05:46)
yeah, I think this is a great way to explain facets because people think, "How can I be different than what my type is?" Yeah. And that metaphor is great. Like you can have a modern a house that is modern architecture, but that has a classic dining room. It doesn't change the style of the house. It just has an interesting dining room. Yes. That doesn't align with the outer
Kent (00:06:02)
Yes.
Yeah. I love that.
Caanan (00:06:16)
style. That's a great way to explain facets. And I totally stole it.
Kent (00:06:20)
So t talk about the pairing that we're talking about this week.
Caanan (00:06:24)
Yeah. So this week we're talking about the S and N pairing. So sensing and confoundingly, N is for intuition. Right. So this pairing is how you perceive the world. So sensors, by and large, focus on what can be perceived using the five senses, touching, taste, etc. People who are intuitive, – the N's of the world –
Focus on patterns and interrelationships and meaning, ⁓ and so they're intuiting information versus sensors who are taking it in ⁓ physically.
Kent (00:07:05)
Yeah, relying on more concrete things derived from the five senses. I love that.
Caanan (00:07:10)
Yeah. So it's important to know as we get into talking about ⁓ facets here that you can be ⁓ a sensor – an S – ⁓ but you can still be ⁓ have parts of your personality that ⁓ prefer abstraction or you can be more imaginative or theoretical. And you can be an ⁓ N, so an intuitive, who prefers things like traditions.
or who is very practical or, like me, who is ⁓ kind of realistic. ⁓ and so as we get into this next segment, just be thinking, like you can be a sensor with n qualities, you can be an intuitive with s qualities.
Kent (00:08:00)
Yeah.
Caanan (00:08:05)
So, Kent, if you don't mind, I'd like to start this segment by talking about myself. Yeah. ⁓ Yeah, I referenced earlier my type. ⁓ as we've said before, both Kent and I are INFJs. So we're both intuitives. ⁓ But ⁓ my ⁓ N/S pairing is actually pretty interesting. My facets are interesting because ⁓ for reasons we're gonna get into
In future episodes, ⁓ I have ⁓ strong ⁓ S characteristics, ⁓ otherwise known as hypervigilance. So even though ⁓ I'm ⁓ an N and I perceive the world through intuition and ⁓ abstract, conceptual, theoretical... imaginative, I have some ⁓ facets that are quite S.
Kent (00:08:54)
Yeah.
Kent (00:09:04)
Yeah, and I'm most interested in hearing you talk about the imaginative ⁓ realistic facet. And I think that explains so much of this this particular pairing that you're talking about.
Caanan (00:09:17)
Well, i it's interesting you ask about imaginative and realistic because i that pairing is actually where I'm the most intuitive. Yeah. So I'm quite imaginative. I prefer my preference is to be very ⁓ resourceful and inventive and I like to do things ⁓ my way. I seek out ways to do rote ⁓
Tasks in new ways and see if I can be more efficient with them. Yeah. That's like that is very Caanan. But in other places, ⁓ like the pairing of conceptual and practice. Yes. Yeah. There I'm mid-zone. So ⁓ this is a place where this is one of my superpowers in our relationship. Because we're both intuitive, we can approach things quite
Kent (00:09:57)
⁓ That's what I'm thinking of conceptual practical.
Caanan (00:10:11)
from the perspective of intuitives, but I have part of me that is always asking, like, "yeah, but is it realistic?" Yeah. "Can we do it? Does it make sense? Is this even worth exploring? Because I don't know if it's gonna work at all." ⁓ and sometimes that's ⁓ if I'm being honest, that's negative. I can try to cut ⁓ off ⁓ our ⁓ ideas ⁓ and the like because ⁓ sometimes I get
scared that it isn't practical, even when I don't know that to be true. But it also helps me ⁓ stop us from going down the long road of ideation on things that just don't ⁓ truly make sense for us. Yeah. So that's a perfect example of where I bring an S quality into my intuitive type.
Kent (00:11:03)
Yeah, and what I I think I like this app this example the most. And this is probably my fair my favorite pairing to talk about because it's the one people seem to have the easiest time grasping – imaginative versus realistic, theoretical versus experiential, original versus traditional – ⁓ People have the easiest time grasping, but just what you're talking about, you know, in terms of our client base...
Caanan (00:11:33)
Yeah.
Kent (00:11:35)
These are the things that we're talking about that help you ⁓ understand yourself in a way that you can live your life knowing this information, ⁓ knowing why your being is ordered the way it is, and then use it to all of this incredible positive advantage in your life. And we said last week, and I promised I was going to mention it every week. So I'm going to say quickly now. This is not to get you into your head and so
Focused on self that one becomes neurotic. It's to give you your toolkit so that you know how to live the best life possible. ⁓ Your version of a no vocation required life, and to then get out of your head as much as possible. Because no, that's not a fun place to be. Talking about this, I think of our client or a client in particular who, ⁓ as it turns out, we got deeper into the process, was very clear...
Pretty clear ⁓ on three of the four pairings, introversion/extroversion, thinking/feeling, ⁓ and judging/perceiving. ⁓ But it turns out was ⁓ dead ⁓ mid-zone ⁓ on ⁓ all five facets within the ⁓ S – sensing/intuition – pairing. Yeah. Just having this information unlocked things ⁓ so much for this ⁓ client because
The S and N pairing is typically where our craft, our lived ⁓ life ⁓ is, ⁓ how you interact with your work, with your world. ⁓
So when this client learned that they ⁓ are ⁓ so able to bridge the gap between big picture dreaming and for instance detail-oriented work, ⁓ similarly having the ability to ⁓ start with facts, but then be able to move into meanings, like ⁓ the ultimate pairing ⁓ of both sides ⁓ of this S/N
Kent (00:13:49)
pairing. ⁓ I remember they're both very pragmatic and curious. ⁓
Caanan (00:13:57)
You know what was so fascinating about this client's S/N pairing of their facets is that they actually, and this is why they were so confused, because ⁓ they are an S, but in fact, all of their facets, and this can happen, are either mid-zone or out ⁓ n almost out of preference. Meaning they present to the world like an N.
Kent (00:14:26)
Yeah.
Caanan (00:14:27)
And they have a lot of comfort in N, but overall, their preference remains an S. And so I've this client, ⁓ when you get to this, or when you're in this kind of space, this is a real superpower. This client has a genuine superpower to sort of be ambidextrious with S and N and flow comfortably between the two. And that is a wonderful quality. Now it's just as wonderful to be a strong – like pegged to the S side or pegged to the N side. Those are that's those are equally exciting ways to be. But this like straight down the mid zone on everything is pretty cool.
Kent (00:15:08)
Yeah.
Kent (00:15:15)
Yeah, it's important to say here that ⁓ it's not uncommon as you ⁓ as you mature and as you ⁓ become more aware of your personality for ⁓ you to become ⁓ more
well balanced. ⁓ And ⁓ Caanan and I were just reviewing ⁓ yesterday for recording this episode. And i it's funny that we know this so well, ⁓ I kind of intuitively, haha, I'm an N intuitively know the characteristics and the questions and the things that peg to certain assessment ⁓ markers.
So it's it's very interesting. This client we're talking about being so well balanced, this is not uncommon. And this is knowledge that you can embrace when you know who you are. And even if you have a pretty good sense of who you are, yeah something about having it validated, I would say, is sort of the most ⁓ empowering thing ⁓ to clients. ⁓ Rarely are there
"my God, I didn't know that. I have to rearrange my world." No. Comments. ⁓ Mostly it's I sound like a broken record because I say this a lot. Like, "I knew that. I've always known that. And I'm not doing it." Or "I've known that. That's why I do this." It's a validating so that
empowering dimension of having something that tells you ⁓ who you are and gives you this ⁓ operating manual.
Caanan (00:17:04)
Yes, I have to jump in and say that that "I knew that and I'm not doing it" is really key because a lot of times people will say, "I knew that about myself, but I fight it" for whatever reasons. Yeah. Someone told them it wasn't a good quality, they heard somewhere, they believed something out out there in the world that told them not to operate in the way that is most effective for them. And now we're telling them,
via their type and their facets, Like no this is who you are and how and what is easiest for you, what you have an actual strength in. So go ahead and do that. And that is so satisfying.
Kent (00:17:46)
Yeah. Yeah. And I want to say here, wrapping this up, or kind of taking different approaches to our wrap-up each week. In this case, I want to talk about that mid zone because the client we referenced had all of those facet indicators in mid zone. Like ⁓ mid zone things truly are superpowers. ⁓ You can have this ⁓ you know, mid-zone or out of preference facet
that if you're very ⁓ visionary or creative can keep you ⁓ very grounded ⁓ in the process. So there's no good or bad. There's just ⁓ this knowledge ⁓ and how you use this knowledge to best serve you in all the roles you have in your life.
Kent (00:18:42)
Okay, it's mailbag time, and we got an email from somebody ⁓ referencing the last four pack we did and saying that they appreciate what Caanan was saying about about building a personality ⁓ that he thought was true, and they appreciate what I, Kent, was saying ⁓ when I thought I was a great thinker. And I yeah, I remember talking about that in an episode like I thought I needed to be a lawyer ⁓
because I I spend so much time thinking. And it turns out I spend a lot of time thinking because it's not ⁓ my ⁓ natural strength. If you want to learn more about that, be sure you listen to the first episode last week in this four pack because I speak about that specifically. ⁓ but this is such a common and great question. They went on to ask, "so why does this happen? Like
How do you learn things? Yeah, Caanan it's like, let me answer. How do you learn things that cause you to ⁓ realize, ⁓ wait, I had my personality mispegged or "wait, I was thinking something that's a weakness ⁓ is actually a strength that I went through my life thinking I have to..." so they're just asking like, ⁓ why the shifts, why the mis hits on personality? It's such a great question.
Caanan (00:19:59)
There's a ton of reasons why I'm so excited to answer this question. I didn't even know you were gonna this was the question today, but ⁓ I actually just spoke about this with this client who is ⁓ or spoke about this in our wrap up. Yeah. Like a lot of times you know something about yourself, but the world has told you something different and you've believed it for whatever reason. That alone can send you off on, you know, a veering course away from your true.
type. But there are lots of other reasons. ⁓ you know, we've talked about maybe you've taken your a personality test in the wrong setting. Boo. I.e. at work. ⁓ And so you are testing your work personality or how you believe you need to show up at work. Yeah. As and believing that is your type. And that's, you know, that is not a good idea. So do a personality test. You can do it through us, you can do it through anybody.
But outside of your work setting, ⁓ so you test as yourself. Or there are other reasons. You know, for me, I had a trauma type. I had a type that was created because ⁓ it was the type that was safest ⁓ at a time in my life. And I am now realizing that it's not my authentic type. In fact, I'm ⁓ quite different, and that's very satisfying. But
A lot of people have created types or believe they're a type because that served them in ⁓ an important way. And maybe hopefully they're in a space where they don't have to be that type anymore. And so it's important to keep ⁓ revisiting your type because you may find that you've ⁓ you've misaligned or you've believed something that somebody has said or you took your
your personality tests in the wrong setting, and it's just not correct for you anymore. And that's okay, but it's time to fix that.