As an ENTJ, your mind is wired to lead with Extraverted Thinking (Te) and Extraverted Sensing (Se)—you’re driven, pragmatic, and always strategizing how to turn visions into real-world success. But when things don’t go according to plan, you may experience hidden mental unrest. Have you ever found yourself feeling emotionally out of control when all your hard work doesn’t pay off? This is due to an unhealthy dynamic of TeSe convergence. 

When you are engaging in TeSe(+), you live in a mental environment that prizes action, clarity, and external results. You are confident in setting measurable goals and aren’t afraid to take command when things need to get done. This dynamic fuels your ambition and your resilience, helping you push through obstacles with impressive determination.

But when all your determination, efforts, and strategic planning does not yield the results you had been working to achieve, Introverted Feeling (Fi) and Introverted Intuition (Ni) can prompt you to feel anxious about losing your self-worth. An unhealthy FiNi(-) can leave you feeling as if your sense of worth depends on your external achievements, which may lead to feelings of anxiety about your performance, as well as hopelessness and depression when you fail to accomplish what you set out for. 

How to Use Your ENTJ Cognition to Overcome Anxiety and Depression

TeSe(+): Take Action With Confidence
Your natural TeSe is all about effectiveness and forward motion. When used positively, this dynamic helps you stay grounded in the present and focused on tangible progress, fueling your confidence. 

TeSe(+): “I’m grateful for all the accomplishments I’m making to fulfill an agenda.”

If you’re feeling anxious, agitated, or like you’re spiraling into frustration about how your hard work is not paying off or achieving the results you are working toward, it is easy to overwork yourself. Overworking yourself can easily worsen your agitation, leaving you in a state of emotional turmoil over all the tasks you’re pushing yourself to accomplish. 

Instead, stay connected with TeSe(+) to maintain confidence in your skills, so that you guard against overworking and channel your energy efficiently. Remind yourself that you still have what it takes to achieve what you desire, that you are ready to further improve your skills and adjust your strategy to do what’s necessary to achieve your goals. Keep taking action in an energy-efficient manner.

 

FiNi(-): Find happiness in your achievements without depending on them

FiNi(-) keeps you grounded in your values and desires. This is important for maintaining your passion to work hard and take strategic steps. However, it is important not to allow this divergent pair instill a sense of emotional dependence on external accomplishments. 

FiNi(-): “I am not afraid of finding contentment if my goals are not met.”

When all your hard work does not go according to plan, or when you are not achieving the results that you deserve for your hard work, FiNi(-) can easily cause you to feel like you have lost personal value. 

Remind yourself that your personal value and happiness do not have to depend on what you accomplish. Pursue your goals, not because you want to add to your self-worth, but because you already have inherent self-worth and are passionate about using it to fulfill great ambitions. And because your personal worth will always be there, regardless of your accomplishments, there are many ways you can find happiness in the things you pursue, regardless of how successful you may be in your pursuits. 

This mindset not only guards against emotional dependency on accomplishments, but also fuels your passion to keep moving forward and doing what it takes to successfully achieve your goals.

 

Anxiety and Depression Do Not Define You

It’s easy to overwork yourself or lose self-esteem when anxiety and depression arise, especially for ENTJs who are used to being in control. But these struggles don’t define you. You have powerful tools within your cognition to navigate them.

Use TeSe(+) to stay confident about your ability to take decisive, actionable steps. Then, use FiNi(-) with passion—not fear. You are working to accomplish something because you care for it, not because your self-worth depends on it.  

Finally, cognitive fluidity allows each person– no matter what type– to harness different mindsets for overcoming anxiety and depression. TeSe(+) and FiNi(-) are most likely to be helpful for ENTJs, it is possible that the wellness mindsets of other types might help you too.  If you are an ENTJ, you may find it helpful to first tap into the wellness mindsets of TeSe(+) and FiNi(-), then subsequently learn from the wellness mindsets of other types:

 

Mindset Quotes to Overcome Anxiety & Depression

 

ESTP (SeFe)

 

SeFe(+): I’m grateful to be able to engage in impressive activities and hang out with impressive people.

NiTi(-): I’m not afraid of reevaluating and ensuring I have a beneficial foundation for why I do what I do.  

 

ESFP (SeTe)

 

SeTe(+): I’m grateful for the fun activities and fun people that keep me thriving and feeling alive.

NiFi(-): I’m not afraid of reflecting on meaningful ways to stay happy, even if I didn’t have certain material possessions or accomplishments. 

 

ENTP (NeFe)

 

NeTe(+): I’m grateful for all the interesting ways I can innovate my surroundings and creatively influence others. 

SiTi(-): I’m not afraid to uphold different standards in order to be more organized and loyal in my interactions. 

 

ENFP (NeTe)

 

NeTe(+): I’m grateful for all the interesting opportunities to have fun in new ways.

SiFi(-): I’m not afraid of disciplining myself with habits that can actually sustain my well-being. 

 

ISTJ (SiFi)

 

SiFi(+): I’m grateful for familiar routines and trusted methods that provide comfort and stability. 

NeTe(-): I’m not afraid of letting go of pride or facing uncertainty when trying new methods. 

 

ISFJ (SiTi)

 

SiTi(+): I’m grateful that I can be diligent and meticulous with the tasks I do for others. 

NeFe(-): I’m not afraid of the uncertain, unpredictable outcomes when I address the emotional needs of others. 

 

INTJ (NiFi)

 

NiFi(+): I’m grateful to be pursuing meaningful goals that align with a wonderful destiny. 

SeTe(-): I’m not afraid of letting go of certain goals in order to engage in tedious but necessary work.

 

INFJ (NiTi)

 

NiTi(+): I’m grateful that everything happens for a meaningful reason. 

SeFe(-): I’m not afraid of handling unpleasant people in unpleasant situations.  

 

ESTJ (TeNe)

 

TeNe(+): I’m grateful for the diversity of tasks I could accomplish to fulfill multiple needs. 

FiSi(-): I’m not afraid of making peace with special situations that don’t align with my personal standards. 

 

ENTJ (TeSe)

 

TeSe(+): I’m grateful for all the accomplishments I’m making to fulfill an agenda. 

FiNi(-): I’m not afraid of finding contentment if my goals are not met. 

 

ESFJ (FeNe)

 

FeNe(+): I’m grateful for the diverse groups of people out there and the diverse ways I can make them happy. 

TiSi(-): I’m not afraid of questioning my own competency and work on improving it, even if it may mean spending less time with others.  

 

ENFJ (FeSe)

 

FeSe(+): I’m grateful for specific people in my life and the specific things I’m doing to make them happy.

TiNi(-): I’m not afraid of reevaluating whether my methods will truly achieve a beneficial goal for everyone. 

 

ISTP (TiNi)

 

TiNi(+): I’m grateful to be competent at making my ideas become a reality. 

FeSe(-): I’m not afraid of collaborating with people in a harmonious way as I pursue my goals. 

 

INTP (TiSi)

 

TiSi(+): I’m grateful to be competent at ensuring accuracy and precision in the work I do.

FeNe(-): I’m not afraid of handling new social situations that may require flexibility with my routine.

 

ISFP (FiNi)

 

FiNi(+): I’m grateful for the pleasant experiences I can have as I pursue my goals

TeSe(-): I’m not afraid of the challenging tasks that must be done to achieve the results I want.

 

INFP (FiSi)

 

FiSi(+): I’m grateful for the pleasant experiences I have whenever I keep to the habits that benefit me. 

TeNe(-): I’m not afraid of possible challenges that may require me to step out of my comfort zone.

Is there a mental health topic you’d love to see explored through the lens of personality typology? Share your idea here!⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠