Enneagram One

Introduction to the Enneagram

Over the past couple of years my husband and I have focused on our relationship through the Enneagram, an ancient tool that helps to describe the nine major personality types. When you are able to understand the facets of your own Enneagram type you are able to work on your own mental health, growth, and relationships in a way that is productive and tailored to your motivations and thinking.

For many months, I was convinced that I was an Enneagram Six, however the more I read, the more I am convinced that Enneagram One is more aligned to my fears, securities, and motivations. I have struggled with anxiety for my entire adult life and I think because I have anxious tendencies when I am unhealthy, I saw myself as a Six. But when I am in a place of self-actualization and indulging healthy thoughts I am far less motivated by fear and more focused on being the best version of myself and helping others to do the same.

It can be difficult to type yourself because the Enneagram is based on the why behind your actions and decisions. To look at someone else and know their Ennegram type is to diminish the power of each person to identify their own locale on the Enneagram. We cannot possibly know the driving force behind another person’s decision making and so I caution you against trying to “type” another person. Instead, I encourage you to share all nine types with them and ask them which resonated most with them. You will know that you have found the correct Enneagram number when reading the chapters or infographics about that type feel like reading a diary entry that you could’ve written.

During the next nine weeks, I plan to share what I am learning about each Enneagram type. I will do so using the book, The Road Back to You by Ian Morgan Cron. I really enjoy the format and language used in this book and highly recommend that if you have not yet studied the Enneagram that you start there.

Here is a look at the Enneagram One: The Improver.

Triad– The Anger or Gut Triad (8,9,1)

Security Number– When Ones are feeling healthy and balanced they lean into the positive attributes of a Seven (Enthusiast)

Stress Number- When Ones are stressed and living in an unhealthy mind space, they take on the undesirable attributes of a Four (Romantic)

Deadly Sin-Anger