Supportive traits are like great personal assistants that help us navigate through life’s challenges more smoothly. From handling day-to-day responsibilities to tackling complex issues, we often and consciously rely on these trusted aides—our supportive traits—knowing that they are capable and reliable at what they do. Ultimately, living in the absence of our supportive traits is akin to losing both our arms; we would struggle tremendously to function without them.

Your habits shape your identity,
and your identity shapes your habits.

James Clear

As our supportive traits come naturally to us, we tend to employ them effortlessly, as if we are writing and drawing with our dominant hand. Therefore, we often take our supportive traits for granted, not realizing how valuable they are to someone of a different archetype. If left unchecked, we might even run the risk of overusing them, preventing other parts of ourselves from flourishing.

Like our dominant traits, our supportive traits are simply facets of our personalities. Whether they are strengths or weaknesses is entirely dependent on the way we utilize them. If we cultivate and develop our supportive traits well, they can become valuable additions to our toolbox of super strengths. However, if we use them in an unhealthy manner, the same traits will ultimately lead to our undoing.

An unexamined life is simply not worth living. Pragmatists refuse to live a life wasted on inconsequential activities. Thus, they are constantly reviewing their actions, making sure that every decision they make is in line with their personal goals. This constant reflection ensures that their energy is always spent in the right places, allowing them to streamline and live their lives as optimally as possible.

Despite being highly conscious of their own actions, Pragmatists tend to be oblivious of the world around them. They are often engrossed in their own thoughts, rarely stepping out to observe their surroundings. As a result, some Pragmatists are always stuck in their own bubble. If they don't get their heads out of it, they will remain unaware of how their actions, or a lack thereof, are affecting the people around them.

That being said, under stress, some Pragmatists are prone to overthinking. They tend to dwell over past problems, thinking about things they have no control over. But it is often futile because they do so without intending to solve them in the first place. If left unremedied, these thoughts will remain as obstacles in their lives, as they find themselves constantly trapped in the grip of these problems.

Perfection isn't about doing incredible things, it's about doing things incredibly well. Thus, when Pragmatists set out to complete a task, they will dedicate themselves to making it the best that it can be. They are constantly looking for ways to improve their systems, aiming to refine it to the utmost accuracy. As such, Pragmatists are often masters of their field, individuals who have perfected their craft.

That being said, not every situation calls for a perfectionist mindset. Pragmatists tend to get overly fixated on tiny details, dwelling on them for days and weeks on end. Moreover, these details are often so minuscule that it brings no significance to their project overall. Pragmatists may not realize it, but they are often just perfecting for the sake of it, and this brings them no benefit whatsoever.

Unfortunately, some Pragmatists may take their pursuit of perfection a step too far. They might insist for everything to turn out exactly the way they planned, to the point where they deem an entire system flawed simply due to a tiny error. Without recognizing the inevitability of flaws, Pragmatists will forever dwell on the specifics, preventing themselves from making any sort of substantial progress.

While most people struggle to even meet their daily responsibilities, Pragmatists handle them all without breaking a sweat. Constantly establishing structure in their lives, they never fail to ensure that every aspect is as it should be. With everything running smoothly, Pragmatists are free to pursue other goals in life, confident that they won’t be met with unexpected obstacles down the road.

Stability may have its benefits, but it puts Pragmatists at the risk of developing a complacent attitude. When they stick to the familiar for too long, they tend to get accustomed to a stagnant way of life. When times are good, they may not feel the need to venture beyond their little bubbles. But when things go south, Pragmatists will find themselves ill-prepared to handle the situation, as they lack the experience necessary to overcome issues outside their comfort zone.

At the extreme end, some Pragmatists are adamantly opposed to any form of change, claiming that it disrupts the stability and control they have over life. However, this rigid mindset will only bring them problems, as they will be unable to adapt to any sudden changes. In times of trouble, these Pragmatists will often find themselves lost and helpless, completely paralyzed as things spin out of their control.

Thus far, we have explored both the Pragmatist's dominant and supportive traits. In our jargon, these traits are known as one's heroic traits. Think about it, don't we all look like heroes when we put these traits to use? Not just wannabe heroes, but real ones—those who are truly powerful yet unimpressed with their own abilities.

Superhuman strength and the ability to fly are awesome superpowers that we all wished we had. But Superman doesn't pride himself in any of those abilities. To him, using those powers to save the world is just another day on the job. Similarly, even though we are great at our dominant and supportive traits, we do not find them the least bit amazing. From our perspective, there is nothing special about these mundane things that we do every day.

That said, as heroic as our traits may seem, no hero in the world is perfect. Even the most powerful heroes, such as Naruto, Thor, or Wonder Woman, have their own flaws and weaknesses. However, that does not invalidate them as heroes; it only makes them all the more admirable. The same goes for our own heroic traits. They may not be perfect, but our strive to improve them is what sets us apart.

I am not a hero. I just did what any
decent person would have done.

Miep Gies

When our heroic traits bask in the light, they will inevitably cast shadows—traits that we tend to neglect. Our shadows are foreign to us, as they are the complete opposite of our natural traits. Because we fear what we don't understand, most of us will subconsciously push away or suppress these parts of ourselves. Unfortunately, if we allow the fear of failure to overpower our minds, these suppressed shadows will eventually swallow us whole.

Nevertheless, shadows are not our weaknesses. They are simply parts of ourselves that we are unfamiliar with, and therefore, would rather avoid. But if we harness our shadows, they will eventually become our hidden strengths. It may be daunting at first to explore these dark and unknown parts of ourselves. However, with a curious mind and a compassionate heart, there's nothing to be afraid of. With that said, let us venture deep into the shadows within us.

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Shadows Within [Pragmatist]