Key questions to ponder when it comes to identifying your Enneagram type
If you’ve been around here for a while, you’ve probably heard me talk about the Enneagram. This assessment and tool has helped me cultivate self-awareness, become confident in my God-given strengths, and helped me laser focus on the baby steps I need to grow. The tricky part? We can find it challenging to identify our dominant Enneagram type. If that’s you, then keep reading for some key questions to ponder when identifying your type.
First things first
If you’re new to the Enneagram, you may be wondering what we’re talking about here. The Enneagram is a personality typing system that has 9 different types. Unlike other personality typing systems (like DISC, MBTI, Strengthfinders), the Enneagram is based on your core motivation or why you do what you do. It can reveal how you see and interact with the world around you. Once you identify your type, it can help you discover a unique pathway to helping your grow personally, emotionally, and spiritually.
Key questions to ponder
If you’re ready to learn more, I recommend a book called The Road Back to You. It’s a great introduction to the Enneagram and the nine types. In the meantime, there’s some great journaling prompts to get you started.
What is your deepest fear? (Being unloved, being controlled, being seen as incompetent, or something else)
In moments of stress, what is your default reaction?
What do you value most in life? (Harmony, success, understanding, or something else entirely)
How do you typically relate to others? (Are you naturally empathetic, analytical, enthusiastic for example)
What childhood wounds still influence your behavior today?
In what situations do you feel most alive or authentic?
Once you answer these questions, you’ll have more insight about your core motivations, your childhood messages, and your natural strengths.
We’re just getting started
Understanding your Enneagram type is just the beginning. The real transformation happens we start to dig deep into our natural tendencies and apply our unique growth path. Cultivating self-awareness through our Enneagram type can help us connect with God, connect with ourselves, and improve our relationships with others. But the benefits of the Enneagram don’t come without work. Inner work. The kind where you spend time observing your actions without judgment. The kind where you challenge yourself beyond your internal comfort zones. The kind where you learn to embrace who God made you to be.
If you’ve been learning about the Enneagram for a while or are ready to identify your type, I offer an Enneagram typing session. It includes an assessment and typing interview so we can identify your core motivations and the next steps to growing personally and spiritually.
