The idea is to have choice around each of the functions, so that we are not driven
by any particular one of them. Also having self-mastery of these functions leads
you to be a more balanced and so a more successful individual.
It’s possible for any of these different functions to take control if we let them,
for example: by our fears; by our pursuit of physical pleasure; or by our need to
be loved. Sometimes people can be controlled by their intuition and when faced with
a choice, their intuition ‘tells’ them what to do and although this is frequently
something that they don’t want to do and think is not the right thing to do, they
will still do it - because they ‘know’ that to not do it would be somehow disastrous!
Another example is the mind, which can often ‘run off on its own’, thinking about
upcoming events or meetings, imagining what to say and what might go wrong. This
in turn can lead to worry or possibly even indigestion! In situations like this,
the mind is effectively out of control and controlling you. It is determining our
experience and may not be serving the whole of you for the best. It is possible to
recognise when this is happening and so be able to choose not to listen to your mind,
and so start to choose your experience and a greater connection with reality.
This model helps people realise that they are far more than their thoughts, feelings,
bodies etc etc and that they have a centre from which they can orchestrate and direct
the various functions of their personality.
How do we develop the skill to choose and act from that central place? The first
step is to recognise our own centre distinct from our thoughts, feelings and all
the other aspects of our personality. So that when you say: “I choose this”, it really
is you who is choosing and not some rogue part of your personality.
There are many excellent books on liberating ourselves from our feelings and thoughts.
Here are two recommendations: Susan Jeffers' Feel the Fear and Do It Anyway and Eckhart
Tolle's The Power of Now.
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It’s well known that the more you discover about yourself (and others) the more successful
and confident you'll feel at coping with all aspects of your life, your career, and
your business. But how do you go about that voyage of self-discovery?
There is a model that is very useful in this self-understanding, comprising six personality
functions:
1. Imagination
2. Intuition
3. Thought
4. Emotions
5. Sensations
6. Desires/Impulses
These are arranged around the ‘Self’ mediated by your ‘Will’. See Star diagram.
A coach can assist with exploration of all these functions.
