Amanda Linehan's Blog, page 2

The #1 Rule Of Goal Setting For INFPs

INFPs can be more goal-oriented than many people may realize (including some INFPs), but the way we go about goal setting is quite different.

In order to maximize our success with a goal we need to begin in a specific place. This will give us the power and energy needed to stick with a goal when the path is very long.

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Amanda Linehan is the author of Productivity For INFPs. She is an independent author, coach, and INFP, who has published six full-length books and has been read in 113 countries. Amanda was a speaker at the INF Summit in February 2020. Learn more about her Productivity For INFPs Online Course on the course page.

New Workshop: From Dream To Reality

INFPs usually have big ideas and lots of them. But, often, we are confused and overwhelmed by the thought of turning those dreams into reality.

This Sunday, January 28th, I’m running a 75-minute virtual workshop called From Dream to Reality, which is designed to give INFPs the tools and confidence they need to reach their meaningful goals in a way that is authentic to them i.e. flexibly, fluidly, and fun-ly (yeah, that’s not a word).

The workshop topics are as follows:

Setting Yourself Up For SuccessFlowing With Your GoalsTurning Your Big Idea Into A Real-World CreationTBA (This one will be announced the day before. )

This is a live workshop, but there is no need to actually attend it live. A recording and a PDF summary guide will be delivered to everyone who registers, and it’s yours to keep for life, so you can watch this in July if that’s when you’re ready for it.

Those items will be delivered on Wednesday, January 31, and registration will close entirely on that morning.

Subscribers to my For INFPs Premium newsletter receive half off the ticket price of $39.

Learn more and register for the workshop here.

How INFPs Can Get Out Of Their Own Way

This post originally appeared in my For INFPs Premium newsletter.

I usually like to come from a strengths-based perspective when discussing INFPs. Over the years, I’ve found something of a gray cloud hanging over INFP spaces.

What I mean by that is that our weaknesses tend to take center stage. Granted, we are also usually credited with being very empathic, idealistic, and imaginative, but, to me, there is always something a little negative hanging around when INFPs are discussed.

However, I’m also not scared to dive into our challenges because every type has them. INFPs are no different.

Weaknesses can always be improved upon or rebalanced. They will never become your strengths, but you can strengthen them.

A few things, in particular, can trip up INFPs, but they tend to be things we are doing to ourselves—and not realizing it. Becoming aware of these things and taking simple steps to rebalance them can make a world of difference.

Step Out of Your Inner World

I can get stuck inside of myself very easily. After all, I like and enjoy my own inner world.

And I’m also very self-focused, which doesn’t necessarily mean selfish or self-centered (although I can cross that line easily). Still, it does mean that I am often the focus of my attention.

However, what can happen is that I’m so focused on myself that I’m quickly losing proper perspective. The things inside me start looming very large—emotions, thoughts, beliefs, fears, doubts.

They can become like monsters who start at an average size but grow exponentially. (Even average-size monsters, I don’t really want. )

And the thing is—they’re not real.

This is a real challenge for INFPs (like me) and concerns our dominant function of introverted feeling. While it can make us highly self-aware, it can also trap us inside ourselves. The remedy here is to get outside ourselves.

When you don’t have other people or circumstances to compare yourself against, this can make everything seem much larger than it actually is.

Getting out of your own way here involves stepping out of your inner space.

One of the best ways to do this is to do something social. It doesn’t have to be a giant party; we are introverts, but being in the presence of someone else will automatically take your focus off of you. When we put our attention on someone else, it becomes clear that this person also has problems, emotions, fears, and thoughts, bringing our stuff into greater perspective.

The other thing that will help? Getting into your body. We tend to experience ourselves through our minds, where we tell ourselves many untrue stories. But we can also experience ourselves through our bodies in the world of sensations and energy.

Run, walk, do a mind-body practice. Do some chores around the house or yard. Stretch. Take a shower or a bath. Any activities involving your senses and getting your body involved will quiet your thoughts and emotions. In other words, you can feel your feelings in your body rather than getting very worked up in your mind.

Take Concrete Action

INFPs are not exactly action people. Sure, we take action all the time (I mean, we do have to go through daily life), but we’d rather be in the possibility space.

We love to imagine and envision, sifting through all the things that are possible. We can see so many possibilities, all with their own wonders. Still, when it comes time to buckle down and start making those possibilities a reality, we lose energy.

Pulling possibilities into reality doesn’t seem quite so fun. We may know grounded action is necessary, but it doesn’t have the whimsy of dreaming of what might happen.

However, this is a quick and easy way to rebalance yourself.

How much concrete action do you take toward the things you’d like to do? Or the things that need to get done?

For myself, just the knowledge that taking more concrete action will further what I’d like to be, have, and do in my life motivates me to do it. Even if it feels a little boring. Action steps bring my ideas to life, and ultimately, that’s what I want.

Taking grounded action may not feel very exciting, but when I tie it into what I value and care about, it makes it easier, adding an energy boost to something I might drag my feet on otherwise.

And this is all relatively simple. When I remember that grounded action can rebalance me very quickly, it makes me more likely to think about it when I’m stuck. And taking that action in small chunks makes it feel very doable.

If you’ve been wondering why you can’t seem to get anything done or can’t reach your goals, check in with yourself for a moment. How much concrete action have you actually taken on it? If the answer is none or just a little, there’s your answer.

Remember, Most Environments Aren’t Made For You

In the above sections, I explored ways INFPs may need to take the opposite action they prefer to move forward. But I also want to point out a perspective shift that might make you feel better.

If you feel like you don’t do anything right and something might be wrong with you, remember most of the world was designed by other types.

This can help you be more compassionate toward yourself when you’re feeling frustrated with something you’re doing (or not doing). Most spaces aren’t designed with INFP qualities in mind, and you don’t see yourself reflected back to you that often.

This can make you consistently feel like you’re doing something wrong or even that you are wrong.

Things that are easy for others (like taking many concrete action steps) aren’t that easy for you. And when you are constantly in environments (like a work environment, maybe) that don’t suit you, it’s easy to think that you just can’t get your act together.

But imagine if INFPs were much more common, like 15 or 20% of the population, and you consistently were in spaces that reflected your preferences. Suddenly, the fact that you are challenged by taking concrete action might not seem like that big of a weakness, even if you still have to find ways of doing so.

Getting out of your own way as an INFP can simply involve deliberately doing what you wouldn’t normally do in a couple of key areas outlined above. And it can also involve being more compassionate with yourself. Put these things together, and you’ve got the beginnings of a very effective INFP.

Learn more about the For INFPs Premium newsletter: In-depth content to empower INFPs.

Amanda Linehan is the author of Productivity For INFPs. She is an independent author, coach, and INFP, who has published six full-length books and has been read in 113 countries. Amanda was a speaker at the INF Summit in February 2020. Learn more about her Productivity For INFPs Online Course on the course page.

“Countdown Sale” for INFPs Premium Newsletter Starts This Friday

Beginning this Friday, November 24, I will be running a countdown sale for my For INFPs Premium newsletter on monthly subscriptions. What’s a countdown sale?

Basically, here’s how this will go: On Friday, monthly subscriptions will be on sale for $1. This price will last for 1 day. Then for 2 days, the subscription price will be on sale for $2. Afterwards, it will be on sale for $3 for 3 days and then $4 for 4 days. A countdown.

If you’ve been interested in trying out the premium newsletter, this is a great chance to do so. Also, to sweeten this deal, you’ll get to keep this price for as long as you remain subscribed.

My premium newsletter is a place where I write long-form, in-depth content. Generally, issues are around 1000 words, and I write on a variety of topics important to INFPs. Here are the last few that I’ve written, just to give you some examples:

Weird Vibes (Or INFPs and Their Environment)Quiet Adventurers (Or Developing Your Extraverted Intuition)The Special Relationship Between INFPs And Their Bodies

You can also read a couple of sample issues right on the sign-up page, if you scroll down towards the bottom.

Upon subscribing, you will have immediate access to the archives page as well as any exclusive discounts I’m offering to courses/workshops/etc. Easily cancel your subscription at any time.

Learn more on the sign-up page.

One Simple Rule For Profitable Writing (INFP Translation)

My new self-paced video course, Writing For Money: A Course For INFP Writers, is now available. Learn more and sign-up here.

This concept is a crucial foundation idea for the rest of the material. Also, it does apply to any product or service you want to offer people, not just to writing.

It’s very simple but not always obvious.

For updates and announcements on new courses and workshops, join the For INFPs newsletter here.

Amanda Linehan is the author of Productivity For INFPs. She is an independent author, coach, and INFP, who has published six full-length books and has been read in 113 countries. Amanda was a speaker at the INF Summit in February 2020. Learn more about her Productivity For INFPs Online Course on the course page. Support Amanda on her Ko-fi page.

When To Let Go Of Your Work: A Guide To Abandoning Projects

Note: This is a slightly adapted version of the written summary for one of the lessons in my new course, Writing For Money: A Course For INFP Writers.

This comes from the lesson called “When To Abandon Your Work.” You can view the entire curriculum and access a free preview lesson, “Dealing with Self-Doubt,” by checking out the sign-up page.

Writing For Money is available through, at least, Friday, November 3, 2023, and maybe for a few days after that (we’ll see). There is “early pricing” through Monday, October 30.

For more details, join the For INFPs newsletter.

As a writer, completing your work is often emphasized as the ultimate goal, but sometimes, letting go can be just as important. In this blog post, we’ll explore the instances when it’s time to abandon a project and move on to something new.

Whether you’ve lost connection to your work or have other pressing priorities, knowing when to let go can be liberating and help you regain your creative energy. So, let’s dive in and discover when it’s okay to abandon your work.

Losing Connection

There may come a time when you no longer feel connected to a project you once poured your heart into. It could be due to a shift in your interests, personal growth, or simply a change in circumstances. You’ll notice this disconnection when you take a break from the project but don’t return feeling refreshed or motivated.

If you find yourself stuck in an energy lull and none of the strategies to overcome it work, it might be a sign that it’s time to let go. Trust your intuition and reflect on your feelings towards the project. If it no longer resonates with you, it’s okay to move on.

Prioritizing What Matters

We often find ourselves juggling multiple projects, each vying for our attention. However, sometimes, we need to recognize that certain endeavors are hindering our progress on more significant priorities.

Perhaps there are other projects that bring in more income or demand immediate attention. In such cases, it’s essential to reassess and allocate your energy where it will have the most impact. It may be a tough decision, especially if you’ve already invested time and effort, but cutting your losses can be the best way forward.

Overcoming Resistance

Letting go of a project can be emotionally challenging, particularly when you’ve invested a substantial amount of effort into it. The thought of abandoning all your hard work can be distressing.

However, it’s crucial to understand that abandoning a project doesn’t mean it’s forever. It might just be a temporary pause or a chance to explore other avenues.

Remember, you never know what the future holds. Sometimes, setting a project aside and returning to it when the time is right can breathe new life into your creativity.

A Personal Example

About a year ago, I faced a difficult decision. I had been working on a novel for four years, and despite being emotionally connected to it, I realized it was taking up too much of my time and energy.

This realization came to me through recurring dreams that were connected to the novel. Yep, this is actually true. I kept having those “school anxiety” dreams where you realize you haven’t been to class all semester. I eventually connected it to the novel I was working on. But the even crazier thing is that when I shelved the novel, the dreams stopped.

Dream analysis aside, it was painful to consider leaving behind 65,000 words of progress, but I made the decision to shelve the project– at least temporarily. Since then, I’ve worked on other projects, released new work, and even though I occasionally revisit the novel, I know it was the right choice at that time. Sometimes, letting go allows us to create space for new opportunities.

Knowing when to abandon a project is an essential skill for any creative individual. We must be willing to recognize when we’ve lost our connection to a project or when other priorities demand our attention. Although it can be difficult to let go, it often leads to renewed inspiration and growth. Remember, abandoning doesn’t mean forever, and you may find yourself returning to a project at some point. So, embrace the freedom of letting go and trust that it’s all part of your creative journey.

Amanda Linehan is the author of Productivity For INFPs. She is an independent author, coach, and INFP, who has published six full-length books and has been read in 113 countries. Amanda was a speaker at the INF Summit in February 2020. Learn more about her Productivity For INFPs Online Course on the course page.

How INFP Writers “Catch” Stories

INFP writers are intuitive writers, meaning we tend to let stories and ideas come to us rather than consciously crafting them. Hence, the idea of “catching” a story the way someone might catch a ball.

There are a couple of simple steps to catching stories. I explain them in this video.

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Sign up and get my INF Summit interview on writing, self-publishing, and being in business for yourself, all from an INFPs perspective. Join here.

Amanda Linehan is the author of Productivity For INFPs. She is an independent author, coach, and INFP, who has published six full-length books and has been read in 113 countries. Amanda was a speaker at the INF Summit in February 2020. Learn more about her Productivity For INFPs Online Course on the course page.

New Workshop: Creative Jumpstart

Although INFPs are very intuition and heart-based, it’s shockingly easy for us to get stuck in our heads. Especially when we are doing creative work.

This is not where we should be.

INFPs do best when we are in the flow of our emotions and intuition (with some mild to moderate structure to support that), and creativity is no exception.

When we are writing or creating anything, we need to leave analysis and logic behind and enter the world of our hearts.

This is exactly what I’m going to be teaching in my upcoming 75-minute workshop–Creative Jumpstart: Get out of your head and into the flow

Join me in an exploration of leaving our minds and entering our creative flow so that we can truly create from our hearts and not get stuck in “how it’s supposed to be done (which comes from our minds).”

I will be teaching Creative Jumpstart live, but there is no need to attend live if you can’t or don’t want to. Afterward, I will be delivering a recording of the workshop plus a PDF Summary Guide to all participants, and that content is yours to keep forever.

Here are the basics:

$49 $39 (if you register by midnight, Friday, July 14, 2023 )75 minutes long.Will be held live on Sunday, July 16, 2023, 1 pm EDTWorkshop recording and PDF Summary Guide delivered by email on Tuesday, July 18, 2023.Yours to keep for life.Bonus! (if you register by midnight, Friday, July 14, 2023) Your choice of either:30 minutes of 1-1 coachingAsk Amanda email coaching

Learn more and register for the workshop here. And don’t delay! The current price and the bonus coaching are only available through this Friday, and registration closes completely on Monday, July 17, 2023.

(There really is no need to attend live if that’s not for you. The workshop recording and the PDF Guide will be yours for life. And if you do want to attend live, awesome. )

Make Writer Friends (Tips for INFP Fiction Writers)

INFP writers can easily become stuck in their emotions and minds, making their feelings and thoughts seem larger than life.

Making writer friends brings you back into perspective. And best of all, it’s fun!

For INFPs newsletter: Sign up and get my INF Summit interview on writing, self-publishing, and being in business for yourself, all from an INFPs perspective. Join now!

Amanda Linehan is the author of Productivity For INFPs. She is an independent author, coach, and INFP, who has published six full-length books and has been read in 113 countries. Amanda was a speaker at the INF Summit in February 2020. Learn more about her Productivity For INFPs Online Course on the course page.

One of the Greatest INFP Strengths…

Believe it or not, some people struggle to come up with ideas. Not so for INFPs.

This aspect of our personality is one of our greatest strengths, even though it comes with some challenges.

Free Productivity for INFPs Mini-Course when you join the For INFPs newsletter. Sign up here!

More Productivity For INFPs — https://productivityforinfps.com/

Amanda Linehan is the author of Productivity For INFPs. She is an independent author, coach, and INFP, who has published six full-length books and has been read in 113 countries. Amanda was a speaker at the INF Summit in February 2020. Learn more about her Productivity For INFPs Online Course on the course page.