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Cognition is the result of where you naturally focus your attention, your desires, and your interests.  Regardless of what your momentary desires or interests may be, each of us has certain deep, secret hopes that mean more to us than anything.  While moods and opinions may change, these deepest desires are such a pure reflection of who we really are.  In a world where there is so much to do, so much to experience, so much need and so many discoveries waiting to be found, we each inadvertently focus the most on some things over others.  The things that we focus on most of all reflect what we want most out of life, deep down.  This comes out through cognition, as the unique specialization of your cognitive type.

As the ENTJ Crusader, perhaps nothing is more important to you than reaching the potential victories that can be attained, if only they’re pursued with conviction.  Cognitively, you focus on taking appropriate actions (EJ) to bring about potential useful experiences (NT) that you and your loved ones can benefit from.  This causes you to think of everything in terms of how it applies to particular, real people you know, rather than to theoretical people as a trend.  What matters most to you, deep down, is doing whatever it takes to effect positive, useful change, and leading others to do the same.

 
 

This gives Crusaders their strong sense of passion, zeal, and dedication.  Able to see the potential capabilities of their group of like-minded friends, they understand just what their group can do to change things for the better.  This strong, enchanting vision of the way things could be, motivates ENTJs to charge forward boldly, overcoming obstacles and rallying others to action.  Fervent recruiters and dedicated soldiers, Crusaders naturally show others why their chosen cause matters so much.  As a Crusader, you’re usually ready or even spoiling for a fight, eager to rush into battle to defend your ideals and protect those who share your outlook.  You may be boldly outspoken or quietly determined, but in either case, you specialize in knowing what it will take to seize the future, to help your like-minded team reach its full potential, and to bring about the beneficial experiences that only determined, focused action can attain.

None of this means that your specialization of doing whatever it takes to succeed comes easy for you.  You have to work at it, just as much as anyone else would.  The difference between you and other types is that you care to work at this, above all else.  Some may say that it’s just easier for you to work tirelessly for your cause, but that’s not true; you simply care enough about laying hold on the promise of a greater future, that you’re willing to work much harder at it.

No cognitive type has it easy; every type has to work just as hard at their specialization as anyone else would have to.  And every type has to deal with social pressure that tries to make them feel ashamed or embarrassed of their unique specialization.  This pressure results in unhappiness and deep, internal conflict, as people feel tempted to ignore their specialization in an effort to not stand out, rock the boat, or look foolish or make anyone else uncomfortable.  When we try to ignore our own deepest desires, the reflection of who we really are and really can be, we feel torn, frustrated, and unfulfilled.

This is why understanding our own cognition is so important!  As we come to understand what we already wanted in the first place, we learn how to get out of our own way.  We learn to let ourselves shine, rather than hiding our light.  The world needs what each of us can uniquely offer.  We need all the strengths of all the types; each is special at the same time, because each is special in a different way.  You don’t do anyone any good when you hide your unique strength, even if you’re afraid it will make others feel uncomfortable.  Let yourself be the Crusader you are, charge ahead with fury or with quiet dedication, and do it in your own personal way.  As you do, you’ll implicitly give others permission to join you, drawing their own weapons in pursuit of everything tomorrow can be made to be.