Can my personality really be defined by a number?

There are some things you need to know and consider about the Enneagram first.

The Enneagram is an ancient and complex tool. The way we use it today is to depict nine styles of human character or personality. It’s important to know that we all have all nine numbers within us. However, your core motivation will help you determine YOUR enneagram personality type.

The wisdom of the Enneagram allows people to understand their internal motive, answering, “Why do I engage and interact with the world the way I do?”.

The Enneagram reveals strengths and weaknesses alike. Blindspots that have been holding you back can also be discovered. Working through *stages of awareness* can help you reclaim who you were truly meant to be. Furthermore, you can begin living in confidence in you Enneagram personality type.

As you read through the descriptions of each of the nine numbers below, keep in mind what motivates you. At the core, why do you do the things that you do?

Personality One: The Reformer or Improver

• Core motivation: To be and do right (to improve the world)
• At their best: Ethical, Reliable, productive, orderly, self-disciplined, committed
• At their worst: Irritated, inflexible, demanding, critical anxious, judgmental

Personality Two: The Helper

• Core Motivation: Relational connection through helping and serving others
• At their best: Compassionate, generous, empathetic, intuitive, caring, enthusiastic
• At their worst: Indirect, recusing, manipulative, possessive, overly accommodating, expectant 

Personality Three: The Achiever

• Core motivation: Achieve and perform successfully with efficiency and productivity
• At their best: Optimistic, confident, leader, efficient, visionary, self-propelled
• At their worst: Deceptive, impatient, selfish, workaholic, superficial, overly competitive

Personality Four: The Individualist

• Core motivation: To be seen and understood for you they are
• At their best: Warm, expressive, comforting, supportive, creative, compassionate
• At their worst: Moody, withdrawn, guilt-ridden, stubborn, self-conscious, depressed

Personality Five: Investigator

• Core Motivation: To take care of self independently
• At their best: Experts, analytical, persevering, perceptive, private, sensitive
• At their worst: Stingy, distant, negative, intellectually arrogant, detached, unassertive

Personality Six: The Loyalist

• Core Motivation: To find security by preparing and being dutifully responsible
• At their best: Charming, honorable, loyal, practical, compassionate, witty
• At their worst: Hyper-vigilant, controlling, judgmental, paranoid, indecisive, self-defeating

Enneagram Personality Seven: The Enthusiast

• Core motivation: To be happy, positive, and avoid pain
• At their best: Fun-loving, imaginative, productive, enthusiastic, optimistic, curious
• At their worst: Narcissistic, impulsive, unfocused, self-destructive, possessive, manic

Enneagram Personality Eight: The Challenger

• Core motivation: To exert power so as to not be controlled
• At their best: Justice oriented, influential, direct, hard-working, high energy, protective
• At their worst: Controlling, insensitive, skeptical, vengeful, aggressive, confrontational

Enneagram Personality Nine: The Mediator

• Core Motivation: To keep everything harmonized (so as to be unaffected)
• At their best: Pleasant, generous, peaceful, open-minded, empathetic, modest
• At their worst: Lethargic, indecisive, passive-aggressive, appeasing, stubborn, oblivious 

Likely you see yourself in several numbers. Maybe you aren’t sure if you see yourself in any of the numbers. I assure you, your number is there. Part of understanding the enneagram is taking the time to observe yourself with a number in mind. “Try one on for size”, if you will. Maybe you related to The Achiever (3). Try that on this week! How are those motivations and personality traits showing up in your daily life? 

Need help discovering your number?  Check out our free Mini Course called Hello, Enneagram or take the Enneagram test (with a consultation) to help you figure out your Enneagram type.