If you have ever looked at your own behavior and thought, "Why do I keep doing that?" – you are not alone. Most of us have a specific part of our personality that feels a little less predictable, a little less mature, and a whole lot harder to manage when life gets stressful.

This week, we are diving into the tertiary trait – the third position in your personality stack (i.e. Myers Briggs Cognitive Function Stack). Without a clear understanding of how this function works, it is easy to mistake it for inconsistency or distraction. But when you actually know what to look for, your tertiary trait is really just a natural part of your development, gently encouraging you to explore new ideas, express your creativity, and find true balance.

Onward and Inward,

COMMON QUESTIONS ANSWERED IN THIS EPISODE

❓What is the tertiary personality trait? Your tertiary trait is the third function in your personality stack. It typically develops later in life – often during midlife – and tends to retain a somewhat "teenage" or less mature quality compared to your dominant and auxiliary traits.

❓What happens to my tertiary trait when I am stressed? Under moderate stress, many people accidentally shut out their auxiliary (balancing) trait and create a closed loop between their dominant and tertiary traits. This can lead to a highly internal or highly external echo chamber that feels productive but is actually quite unhealthy.

❓How can I use my tertiary trait in a healthy way? When you are in a good headspace, your tertiary trait can be a wonderful source of fresh ideas and creativity. It can help break you out of your comfort zone, as long as you run those new ideas by your more mature dominant and auxiliary strengths before acting on them.

❓Can my tertiary trait ever become as strong as my dominant trait? While your tertiary trait can certainly be developed and strengthened over time, it will rarely – if ever – match the natural stamina of your dominant or auxiliary traits. Think of it as a supporting character in your life – it can have brilliant moments, but it isn't built to carry the leading role.

CHAPTERS

(00:00) Mind Share: The Audacity
(03:19) Understanding your tertiary trait
(05:14) Why your tertiary trait feels less mature
(10:03) Your personality stack alternates between introverted and extroverted (or vice versa)
(12:56) What happens when stress shuts out your auxiliary trait
(17:12) Using your tertiary trait for creativity and fun
(20:25) Mailbag: Why do I freeze up making decisions in some parts of my life, but not others?

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