Discovering the Enneagram: How Personal Growth Became a Priority
Ask anyone who works with people, and they’ll tell you that understanding yourself is one of the keys to working with others and to becoming a successful leader. I figured this would be as simple as picking up a “self-help” book, reading some life changing words, and moving on with the rest of my life.
Boy was I wrong!!
About two years ago I picked up a “self help” book and began the journey expecting to “change” into who I thought I should be. I quickly realized that I was actually on a journey to acceptance of who I already was.
I started down a never ending path of self discovery. A journey, it turns out, that excites me A LOT!
I’m learning WHY I am the way I am.
I’m learning how to communicate more effectively with others.
I’m learning how to accept myself as a WHOLE; flaws and all.
I’m on a journey of powerful acceptance of ME.
Through this process, I discovered the Enneagram and it quickly became a passion of mine. The Enneagram gave me so much clarity and understanding of who I am.
To say there are many layers to the Enneagram is an understatement. I know that I have barely scratched the surface to comprehending all of it, but I can’t emphasize enough how valuable it has been.
There are a number of great Enneagram resources out there. I started out by taking a few free tests online before paying $12 USD for a test from www.enneagraminstitute.com. The cost was more than worth it! The results gave me so much valuable information related to my exact type. I highly recommend it.
*Before you read any further, know that the Enneagram is not black and white. It is not a tool to help you “diagnose” yourself (or someone else) and it is not meant to put you in a box. The purpose of the Enneagram is to help you understand yourself better.
Here is a little glimpse of what the Enneagram has helped me understand about myself:
I am an Enneagram 1: Reformer.
I desire to be morally good.
My greatest fear is imperfection.
I thrive on routine, am a loyal friend, an eternal optimist and I love lists! I don’t understand why people don’t follow rules, being spontaneous is hard for me, and I am very critical of myself. I am an advocate for justice, set high standards for myself and others and can be impatient.
Many of these characteristics don't sound perfect do they?
Those qualities are a flaw in my desire for perfection. Understanding those aspects of who am I was a harsh reality, but as I discovered more I have been able to accept these and work WITH them.
Growing up I was often told that I talked too much, was opinionated, too impatient, or too optimistic. Today I can confidently say YES, those are all true. As a child they were probably considered annoying (probably mostly to my big brother), but as an adult these are qualities that I have grown to accept as positive.
I love to talk and build relationships for a living (gift of the gab, anyone?!).
I am opinionated because I am a passionate advocate, ready to share with whomever will listen.
I am very optimistic and can see the positive in any situation. Given the health journey we are walking through with our girls I am SO thankful for this quality!
The Enneagram has been the most effective tool I’ve used to make sense of myself and grow from that understanding.
I share this all with you because I want to challenge you to dig deeper and seek the truth. There are things we have been told our whole lives. Lies that we have accepted as truth.
Be empowered to challenge assumptions and don’t accept something as truth without merit.
Be empowered to understand WHY!
Learning about who we are gives us the knowledge to know why and the power to accept and pivot when needed.
My life was good. I was happy and it was “safe” to stay where I was. Choosing to invest my time in personal development was a purposeful step to becoming a better leader and person overall.
Unpacking ourselves can be scary. We all come with baggage, but there can be such beauty in growth and that journey has been so worth it for me.
As Abraham Maslow said, “You will either step into growth or you will step back into safety”
Are you ready to step into growth?
I'd love to hear about your favourite resources for personal development. Leave a comment below and let’s cheer one another on in this journey!
Here are some great Enneagram resources to get you started:
The Road Back to You by Ian Morgan Cron (*featured in above photographs)
The Enneagram Collection by Beth McCord
Becoming Us by Beth & Jeff McCord
Instagram resource Rebecca Horch @evita_consulting
Photographs by Kim Norcross