This is a personality typing system that focuses on how a person conceptualizes the world and manages their emotions. Based on a series of questions, you can be grouped in one of nine personality types that are mapped on a nine-pointed diagram that illustrates how these types influence one another.
A system that shows us the nine ways that the world defaults to in life. The Enneagram explains the “why” of all that we do, think, and feel. These nine types are based on our core motivations and fear and when we delve into the Enneagram we can better understand ourselves and begin to grow.
The Enneagram can look surprisingly simple and yet there is more depth to it than you can imagine.
It’s more than a personality typing label that you can use as a way to justify your behavior and it’s not a way to label others in judgment.
Who You Are
The Enneagram starts by telling you “who” you are. This is similar to most personality typing systems. With the enneagram, you are one of nine personality types.
Why You Are The Way You Are
The Enneagram then takes things deeper and tells you “why” you are who you are. It explains your core motivation and fear which is the driving force behind all your actions, thoughts, and feelings.
How To Change
The Enneagram doesn’t just leave things there. It gives you the tools you need so that you know “how” to change. This is the amazing thing about the Enneagram; it shows you have you can be the best version of yourself.
Ready to dive into the world of the enneagram but not sure how to find your enneagram type? You’ve come to the right place!
Can’t I Just Take A Test?
Yes… and no. Enneagram tests are great and there are a lot of amazing ones out there that can really hone in on what type you might be. However, even the very best enneagram test isn’t foolproof, and here’s why: enneagram tests are primarily based on your traits but traits are not what determine your Enneagram type.
Your enneagram type is actually determined by your core motivations.
With all that said, here is my recommendation for discovering your enneagram type.
How To Find Your Enneagram Type
Step 1: Take a Test
Yes, I know I just got done saying that the tests aren’t foolproof but the thing is, they really can help you narrow it down from nine possibilities to 3-5 possibilities.
Opt for taking an enneagram test that will give you your results with the percentages (so you’ll see all nine types listed and then the percentages for each type based on how much you match that type) Having percentage-based results can help you understand which types are actually possible types and which just aren’t in the running.
This is my current favorite enneagram test to use to help to find your Enneagram type, it’s free and it gives percentages.
Step 2: Core Desires
As I mentioned above, your enneagram type is based on your core motivation and not your traits. Once you’ve taken a test, take the top 3-5 results from the test and dig into those types’ core motivations. One of the core motivations is the core desire.
You will likely resonate with a few of the core desires as we all have many motives but we only have one core desire which is at the root of why we do what we do.
Check out the nine core desires and try to determine which one you would choose if you could only choose one.
1) Being good / being right
2) Being loved / being wanted
3) Being valuable / being successful
4) Being authentic / being uniquely themselves
5) Being competent / being capable
6) Being secure / being safe
7) Being satisfied / being content
8) Being self-governed / being independent
9) Being at peace / being harmonious
Step 3: Core Fears
Just like the core motivations, we all have just one core fear. Again, you may resonate with many of the core fears but only one of them is the reason that you fear doing things or what keeps you from doing certain things.
Check out the nine core fears and try to determine which one is the most terrifying to you.
1) Being bad / being wrong
2) Being unloved / being unwanted
3) Being worthless / being a failure
4) Being without significance / having no identity
5) Being incompetent / being incapable
6) Being without support / being without guidance
7) Being deprived / being trapped
8) Being controlled / being harmed
9) Being separated / being at loss with others
Step 4: Read and Research
This is the most laborious part of finding your enneagram type. It may be that a test gets it right on the first try for you. You may be able to pin down your type based on the core desires and core fears.
However, for those who still do not feel certain about their type (and even those who are certain of their type), I highly encourage reading and researching the enneagram types further. You’ll want to check out my list of the best enneagram books for personal growth!
The more you dig into the enneagram the more you can see how each type reacts in certain instances. Many of the types can appear rather alike but they have different ways of dealing with stress, or handling conflict, or have different methods of taking in the world.
Digging into the nuances of the enneagram will help you pin point your type and it will give you a better grasp on your type once you have discovered it.