Following on from last week, the first step in understanding yourself and others is to identify what type you have come into this life pre-wired as.
The following is a broad overview of the nine types of human nature. As you can see, it can be fun to also identify movie stars and people we all know as well, and to be able to see the common patterns amongst them.
Type One. The Reformer.
The principled, idealistic Type. One’s are ethical and conscientious, with a strong sense of right and wrong. They are teachers and crusaders, always striving to improve things but afraid of making a mistake. Well organized, orderly, and fastidious, they try to maintain high standards but can slip into being critical and perfectionistic. They typically have problems with repressed anger ( resentment) and impatience. At their best, healthy Ones are wise, discerning, realistic, and noble, as well as morally heroic.
Examples of ones are Jack Canfield, Robert Kiyosaki, Batman, Superman, Plato and Gandhi
If you are a One, you can begin the process of your growth by beginning to hand back the responsibility for things to others, and increase your fun and relaxation.
Type Two. The Helper.
The caring, interpersonal type. Twos are empathetic, sincere, and warm hearted. They are friendly, generous, and self sacrificing, but they can also be sentimental, flattering, and people pleasing. They are driven to be close to others, and they often do things for others in order to be needed. They typically have problems taking care of themselves and acknowledging their needs. At their best, healthy Twos are unselfish and altruistic and have unconditional love for themselves and others.
Examples of Twos are Jennifer Anistan, Princess Diana, Weary Dunlop, Florence Nightingale.
If you are a Two, you can begin the process of your growth by exploring what your own needs are and starting to supply them for yourself.
Type Three. The Achiever.
The adaptable, success oriented type. Threes are self assured, attractive and charming. Ambitious, competitive and energetic, they can also be status-conscious and highly driven for personal advancement. Threes are often concerned about their image and what others think of them. They typically have problems with workaholism and competitiveness. At the best, healthy Threes are self accepting, authentic, and everything they seem to be – role models who inspire others.
Examples of Threes are Tom Cruise, Donald Trump, Tony Robbins, Bill Clinton, Madonna, Christopher Skase and Barbara Streisand.
If you are a Three, you can begin the process of your growth by stopping doing what you are doing, and exploring who you really are.
Type Four. The Individualist.
The romantic, introspective type. Fours are self aware, sensitive, reserved and quiet. They are self revealing, emotionally honest, and personal, but they can also be moody and self conscious. Withholding themselves from others due to feeling vulnerable and defective, they can also feel disdainful and exempt from ordinary ways of living. They typically have problems with self indulgence and self pity. At the best, healthy Fours are inspired and highly creative, able to renew themselves and transform their experiences.
Examples of Fours are Angelina Jolie, Oscar Wilde, David Bowie, Jackie Onassis and Johnny Depp.
If you are a Four, you can begin your process of growth by focusing on what you have that is positive.
Type Five. The Investigator.
The intense, cerebral type. Fives are alert, insightful, and curious. They are able to concentrate and focus on developing complex ideas and skills. Independent and innovative, they can become preoccupied with their thoughts and imaginary constructs. They become detached, yet high strung and intense. They typically have problems with isolation, eccentricity, and nihilism. At their best, healthy Fives are visionary pioneers, often ahead of their time and able to see the world in an entirely different way.
Examples of Fives are Bill Gates, Barry Jones, Prince Charles and Geoffrey Robertson.
If you are a Five, you can begin your process of growth by trying to stay present in your body and emotions rather than retreating into your mind.
Type Six. The Loyalist.
The committed security oriented type. Sixes are reliable, hardworking and responsible, but they can also be defensive, evasive and highly anxious – running on stress while complaining about it. They are often cautious and indecisive but can also be reactive, defiant and rebellious. They typically have problems with self doubt and suspicion. At their best, healthy Sixes are internally stable, self confident, and self reliant, courageously supporting the weak and powerless.
Examples of Sixes are Julia Gillard, Jo Belke Peterson, John Howard, Mel Gibson and Osama bin Laden.
If you are a Six, you can help your growth by looking inward for your own inner guidance rather than from the outside world.
Type Seven. The Enthusiast.
The busy, productive type. Sevens are versatile, optimistic and spontaneous. Playful, high spirited and practical, they can also be overextended, scattered and undisciplined. They constantly seek new and exciting experiences, but they can become distracted and exhausted by staying on the go. They typically have problems with superficiality and impulsiveness. At their best, healthy Sevens focus their talents on worthwhile goals, becoming joyous, highly accomplished and full of gratitude.
Examples of Sevens are Billy Connelly, Steven Speilberg, Sarah Ferguson and Bette Midler.
If you are a Seven, you can begin your growth process by narrowing your focus to a few chosen directions.
Type Eight. The Challenger.
The powerful dominating type. Eights are self confident, strong and assertive. Proactive, resourceful and decisive, they can also be proud and domineering. Eights feel that they must control their environment, often becoming confrontational and intimidating. They typically have problems with allowing themselves to be close to others. At their best, healthy Eights are self mastering, using their strengths to improve others lives, becoming heroic, magnanimous, and sometimes historically great.
Examples of Eights are Russell Crowe, Paul Keating, Saddam Hussein and John McInroe.
If you are an Eight, you can begin your growth process by first recognizing your vulnerabilities.
Type Nine. The Peacemaker.
The easy-going self-effacing type. Nines are accepting trusting and stable. They are good-natured, kindhearted, easy going and supportive, but can also be too willing to go along with others to keep the peace. They want everything to be without conflict but can tend to be complacent and minimize anything upsetting. They typically have problems with passivity and stubbornness. At their best, healthy Nines are indomitable and all-embracing; they are able to bring people together and heal conflicts.
Examples of Nines are George Harrison, Queen Elizabeth II and Walt Disney.
If you are a Nine, you can begin your growth process by focusing on what you want, and continue to work on your own agendas.
When you can begin to observe how your personality is running your life, in a nonjudgmental way, you can begin to see it like a home movie. As you can begin to observe and let go of it on increasing deeper levels, as well as being increasingly present with your real experiences, you can gradually reach more and more of your full human potential.
If you would like to really discover who you have been wired to be, why you do the things you do, why you have the same kinds of problems over and over again, and , best of all, what you can do about it, book in for an individual Enneagram session with me, face to face, by phone or by skype.
More on why relationships get into trouble in our next blog.
Warmest regards
Julie
