The classic ENTJ personality type will always put control at the top of their list of priorities. The need for control is absolutely central to the ENTJ character. So what happens when they're faced with a situation where they have zero control—like with recent global events? Short answer: they feel a sense of loss or hopelessness that’s hard to shake off. 

If this sounds like the situation you’re in, read on. Here are some ways for ENTJs to cope in a zero-control situation, with tips for creating a sense of purpose in your life, even when everything seems messed up.

Hit the reset button

Recently, my life seems to have been full of false starts. Plans made that had to be cancelled. Important decisions that got put on hold. Projects that never came to fruition. As an ENTJ, this lack of control has affected me greatly—even though I’ve struggled to admit it.  I’ve been irritable, teary and outright angry at times. I got used to the familiar sinking feeling when a plan I thought was solid ended up in failure. 

The thing that helped me regain a sense of control was to hit the reset button. I forgot about my previous plans and my original goals for the year. Instead, I drew up a new set of plans that were much, much smaller. I began focusing on simple, manageable actions. 

I decided to forget about next year or next month and just take every single day at a time. It sounds like a cliché but it helped me hugely. 

Select small goals

For me, setting smaller goals means drawing up weekly plans with a set of weekly goals. I work on trying to achieve those goals only and not think about the long-term. Crucially, these new goals do not require any outside action or input. They are all things I can control.

I divide my goals into categories: work, personal, and social. By dividing up my time in this way, I give myself the feeling of having control in all aspects of my life. Work is an obvious one. For the personal category, I focus on specific skills like learning a language, practicing an instrument or trying a new craft.

For my social goals, I focus on keeping in contact with the people in my life who mean the most. I may set a goal to write a letter to a childhood friend, video call my family or message a different friend every other day. These small goals are positive, easy to achieve and help me remember all the love and support I have in my life, too.

Turn your energy into valuable action

When stressful events happen, the body kicks into a fight-or-flight response. This leads to built up energy that can be difficult to handle. 

You might find yourself spending more time doom-scrolling or watching the news, being angrier than usual, and avoiding things you used to enjoy—all of which leaves you feeling  restless or on edge. These are all common signs of underlying stress and anxiety for an ENTJ… and you’ve probably experienced them at some point in recent months.

To cope with this anxious energy, it can be helpful to try and do something constructive instead. Try to focus your energy and take action. This will look different for everyone as it needs to be in keeping with your values. 

Some ideas might include:

-    Getting involved in your local community

-    Volunteering in a way that uses your skillset

-    Fundraising for causes you care about

By concentrating your energy into organizing and taking action, you can have a feeling of doing something meaningful. This is not only rewarding but also a really good coping mechanism for reducing anxiety and boosting positivity.

Ground yourself in the present moment

You could also find ways to use up nervous energy by doing something that is both productive but also nourishing for your body. Physical movement can help to channel the frustration and stress caused by having zero control.

For many people, gardening and baking have been two outlets. These practices lower stress because they focus on productivity,  while moving the mind to more stabilizing thoughts. By concentrating on simple, step-by-step actions, you can help to shift your mind from crisis management and into a calmer space.

You might also try painting, puzzles, yoga or any other activity that makes you feel good. Seek out projects and pastimes that let negative feelings sink away. The aim is to focus your mind and ground yourself in the moment.

This year, I started making jams and jellies from the flowers in my garden. The process of collecting the petals, measuring the ingredients and stirring the jam patiently had a meditative quality to it. At the end, I’m left with jars of pastel-colored jam that sit on my shelf. When I open each one, I have the smell and taste of the flowers inside. It’s not going to save the world, but it’s a way for me to find calm and peace in my week.

Recognize your lack of control

For ENTJs who treasure the feeling of being in control, it can be really challenging when things get out of hand. The only thing you do have control over is your own life. Repeat this like a mantra—it is a grounding thought!

When you recognize that you have very little control over current events, you can turn your energy towards actions that help you feel good. Things that are both productive but also give you a sense of stability. 

Although it can be hard for ENTJs to admit, you probably aren’t going to be at your very best every day. There will be days and weeks when it seems like an effort to accomplish even the smallest and most basic things. But by focusing on small actions and manageable tasks, you can help to get back some feeling of control.

Elizabeth Harris
Elizabeth is a freelance writer and ghostwriter. She’s an anthropologist at heart and loves using social theory to get deeper into the topics she writes about. Born in the UK, Elizabeth has lived in Copenhagen, Frankfurt and Dubai before moving most recently to Budapest, Hungary. She’s an ENTJ with ENFJ leanings. Find out more about her work at bethharris.com