How to plan your summer vacation according to your Myers-Briggs personality type
Vanessa, MBTIonline Contributing Writer
As places continue to open and people get more comfortable with the idea of post-pandemic travel, the possibilities seem endless. As yesterday was a sweltering 95F degrees where I live, I took it as a good reminder to make summer plans.
Personally, one of my favorite spots to visit is Carmel-by-the-Sea in California. The cottages are like something out of a fairytale and I feel like a brighter, better version of myself when I’m there. And it’s pretty rare to experience 95+ degree weather in Carmel. I feel cooler already just thinking about it.
But as relaxing as vacations can be, the actual planning can be stressful.
There are a lot of decisions to make – including where to go, how to get there, who to bring, and what to do. Thankfully, you’ve got a built-in way to navigate these decisions as long as you know your Myers-Briggs Type Indicator® (MBTI) personality type. (Find yours here if you’re not sure).
MBTI Master Practitioner and TED speaker Michael Segovia says a good way to approach decision-making is to consider the way MBTI mental processes work. For example, our Sensing and Intuition preferences are the mental processes that help us take in information.
And our Thinking and Feeling preferences are the mental processes that help us evaluate that information.
So, let’s turn on the AC and start planning those summer vacations. Here’s some advice from Michael about how different MBTI types can make travel decisions as streamlined as possible.
Tips for ESTP and ESFP personality types planning a vacation:
If your personality type is ESTP or ESFP, you evaluate information quicky and can easily assess the reality of a situation. Your decisions usually solve problems. As you think about where to go on summer vacation, consider these questions:
- What are the main things I want to do during my vacation?
- Based on facts and details, what’s the most realistic destination?
- How does where I want to travel fit in with any plans I already have?
- Which options give me the best opportunity to experience the most for my Sensing preference (hiking, interacting with nature, making things, food experiences, etc.)?
Tips for ISTJ and ISFJ personality types planning a vacation:
If your personality type is ISTJ or ISFJ, you evaluate information by connecting it to things you’ve experienced in the past. After careful consideration, your decisions are deliberate and definite. Here are questions you might ask yourself while you plan your summer vacation:
- Where have I vacationed in the past, and do I want to go back?
- How will past vacation experiences help me with this next one?
- What did I like and dislike about the last few places I went?
- Who do I trust that could share their own experiences about destinations I’m considering?
Tips for ENFP and ENTP personality types planning a vacation:
If your personality type is ENFP or ENTP, you consider all possibilities and “what ifs” as you evaluate information. Your decisions are creative and help others see beyond what’s in front of them. As you plan your summer vacation, ask yourself these questions:
- How can I keep options open for possible vacation activities and experiences (and how long should those activities take)?
- What would be new and different from what I’ve done before?
- How can I take a few small risks here and there?
- What are the newest, most exciting locations people are talking about?
Tips for INTJ and INFJ personality types planning a vacation:
If your personality type is INTJ or INFJ, you focus on big-picture possibilities when you evaluate information. Your decision isn’t made until you explore all options and perceptions. Here are questions to ask yourself while you plan your summer vacation:
- What’s the most unique and unusual vacation experience I can imagine?
- Where can I go that would make me the first person I know to try it out?
- Which vacation experience would connect best with my long-term vision of finding meaning?
- What vacation can I envision that will have the most impact on my life?
Tips for ESTJ and ENTJ personality types planning a vacation:
If your personality type is ESTJ or ENTJ, you evaluate information in a logical and objective way. Your decisions are quick and assertive. While you plan your summer vacation, ask yourself:
- What will the vacation cost, and how will I pay for it?
- Will I get the best “bang for my buck” with the vacation options I’m considering?
- What excursions can I organize to meet everyone’s needs equally and reasonably?
- What contingency plans do I need to make to ensure everything goes smoothly?
Tips for ISTP and INTP personality types planning a vacation:
If your personality type is ISTP or INTP, you evaluate information to create order and find the “correct” answer to a problem. Your decisions are logical and can seem detached from feeling. Here are some questions to ask yourself as you plan your summer vacation:
- What’s right or wrong about the options I’m considering?
- What’s right or wrong about the options others have brought up?
- What data can I explore that can help justify my vacation decision?
- When is the best time to get tough and help everyone decide already?
Tips for ESFJ and ENFJ personality types planning a vacation:
If your personality type is ESFJ or ENFJ, you evaluate information based on how your choice will affect others. Your decisions are facilitative and compassionate. To help plan your summer vacation, consider these questions:
- How can I include the ideas of the people who are coming with me?
- Which kind of vacation will bring everyone together in a meaningful way?
- What options will allow me to contribute to the lives of others?
- What places and experiences will make everyone happy?
Tips for ISFP and INFP personality types planning a vacation:
If your personality type is ISFP or INFP, you evaluate information through a specific set of inner values. Your decisions are guided by your conscience. While you plan your summer vacation, ask yourself:
- What do I want to do this summer – even if it’s different than everyone else?
- What vacation options connect best with my inner values?
- Which vacation will make the biggest impact on my life, and what’s most important to me?
- What kind of plans can help me help others?
Let MBTI personality insights help you plan your dream vacation
No matter what personality preferences you have, every question listed in this blog post is a good one to ask.
As you make your travel plans (even if you decide on a staycation) you can practice being a more well-rounded and intentional decision maker. One way to do this is re-read the post and pay special attention to all the questions that aren’t listed beneath your personality type. It’s a great way to think about things you may not have considered otherwise.
So . . . where are you headed this summer?
Want to read more? Check out these popular articles:
Vacations To Try for Each Myers-Briggs Type