If humans were computers, our dominant traits would be the operating system that is embedded and hard-coded in our minds. These deeply ingrained behaviors run on autopilot, driving our every action without conscious thought. Like breathing or blinking, we can actively choose to control our actions with enough concentration. However, most of the time, our recurring behaviors seem to be driven by our subconscious, functioning effortlessly and instinctively.

Instinct is a marvelous thing. It can
neither be explained nor ignored.

Agatha Christie

Dominant traits are often mistaken as strengths in most other personality systems. But here in Personality Ninja, we hold a different view. To us, traits are just traits, shaped by the wiring of our cognitive functions. Whether a trait is good or bad largely depends on the way it is used. As such, these traits can either be the source of one's greatest strengths, or the cause of their biggest downfall.

Naturally, we will hone our dominant traits, refining them into our super strengths. However, if we are not careful, there is a chance that we may push our dominant traits into overdrive, manifesting them in very unhealthy ways. In the end, our dominant traits are our natural tendencies and nothing more. The key to harnessing them effectively lies in knowing when, where, and how to use them.

While others keep their heads down to avoid judgment, Free-Spirits hold theirs up high. Knowing what truly makes them, them, Free-Spirits are not afraid to go against the flow, no matter how strong the current may be. To them, only those with the guts to be themselves in the face of ridicule, disapproval, and scorn, will unlock their power from within. As such, Free-Spirits will always embrace who they are at the moment, as individuality is what makes people special.

However, when Free-Spirits put too much emphasis on their own individuality, it becomes the only thing they do. Thinking that they are the only person that matters in the world, they become oblivious to the people around them. When that happens, they are prone to doing things that inconvenience others without even realizing it. Free-Spirits who keep the spotlight on themselves will soon be seen as self-centred and eventually be ostracized by society.

Free-Spirits who take individuality too far might even use it as an excuse to do whatever they want. By justifying their behavior, they will certainly wind up doing things that are socially unacceptable, stirring up trouble for no reason. But instead of making amends, they might just hide behind the pretext of "being themselves" to wash their hands off any wrongdoings. Slowly but surely, Free-Spirits will turn into the person they dislike the most: someone who is morally bankrupt.

Life is a maze of twists and turns. To avoid running into a dead end, one must make the right moves to find their way out. For Free-Spirits, their map to life is their beliefs, as it guides them instinctively through every decision, no matter how big or small. It is priceless, and nothing in the world can ever sway Free-Spirits against what they believe in. As such, they will never stop cultivating their beliefs, as it is the guide that leads them onto the right paths.

Things take a turn for the worse when Free-Spirits hold their beliefs too close to their hearts. If that happens, they might easily feel threatened whenever people question their beliefs. When they find their opinions at odds with others, they may block out any other view that does not align with theirs. Unknowingly, Free-Spirits who are like this build a shell around themselves, slowly pushing away the ones closest to them.

When it comes to being authentic to their values, there is no room for compromise in the eyes of Free-Spirits. Even their slightest of fumbles are unacceptable and deserving of self-criticism. Unwilling to forgive themselves, Free-Spirits may cling onto all the guilt, causing them to be victims of their own mind. This brewing negativity might slowly tear Free-Spirits down, robbing them of their self-esteem entirely.

Free-Spirits wield a certain intuition when it comes to knowing what truly matters to them. Attuned to their emotions, they can identify their likes and dislikes in a split second, granting them a vague but vivid idea of what they want to do in life. They might find it hard to describe this elusive feeling to others, but they know that it is undeniably there. Hence, Free-Spirits will always let their instincts mold their priorities, as it will lead them to a life worth living.

Having said that, Free-Spirits who prioritize based on their whims and fancies are nothing short of reckless. Fueled by emotions, they might not give a single hoot about logic, relying instead on what feels right at the moment. When they do things without solid reasoning, they are prone to foolish acts. As such, Free-Spirits who refuse to think through their actions are simply setting themselves up for disaster.

Worst yet, some Free-Spirits may be unnecessarily fussy in regards to their wants and needs. If they keep getting what they ask for, they will slowly develop a sense of entitlement, unwilling to do anything that sounds remotely lame. Should that happen, they will look like spoiled brats who appear to be making ridiculous demands. Before long, people will harbor deep resentment towards Free-Spirits who insist for everything to be their way or the highway.

Values maketh man. To Free-Spirits, nothing speaks louder than one's values, as they reflect their lifestyle, interests, and even thoughts. Thus, Free-Spirits throw themselves out into the open world, searching for experiences that can shape their views for the better. While they may not have a clear destination in mind, they know their hearts will get them where they need to be. As such, Free-Spirits will always lead a free life, discovering who they are and what they value along the way.

Unfortunately, some Free-Spirits may be overly engrossed with their own selves. Instead of contributing to others, they spend all their time looking for what they like. By doing so, they come off as distracted at best, selfish at worst. Furthermore, most Free-Spirits don't realize that when they are so busy thinking about themselves, they bring zero difference to the world. Thus, in their endless search for significance, they will end up as nothing more than a meaningless speck of dust.

At the extreme end, Free-Spirits may become fanatics. When they feel immersed in an experience, their passion for it can easily turn into driving force that is as powerful as a tsunami. At this stage, they will pursue their values to the very end, and nothing can stop them. Some may even kick it up a notch, flushing everything else in their life down the toilet just to do what they love. This zealous behavior will not only harm Free-Spirits, but lead them to their downfall eventually.

To wrap it up, dominant traits are neither our strengths nor are they our weaknesses. They are simply traits we tend to exhibit naturally in our daily lives without much realization.

The biggest reminder here is this: a trait is a trait. It is a unique characteristic of an archetype, each carrying its own pros and cons. With that understanding, let us now venture into the next set of traits that we do more consciously—our supportive traits.

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Supportive Traits [Free-Spirit]