Discovering Your Enneagram Type: A Step-by-Step Guide

The Enneagram is a powerful personality system that categorizes people into nine distinct types, each with its unique motivations, fears, and behavioral patterns. Understanding your Enneagram type can provide deep insights into your personal growth, relationships, and overall well-being. In this guide, we will walk through a step-by-step process to help you discover your Enneagram type, followed by resources for further exploration.

What is the Enneagram?

The Enneagram is a model of human psychology that describes nine fundamental personality types. Each type has its own set of traits, motivations, and fears. The system helps individuals identify their dominant type and understand how they interact with others and perceive the world.

The nine types are:

1. The Reformer: Principled, purposeful, self-controlled.
2. The Helper: Generous, people-pleasing, possessive.
3. The Achiever: Adaptable, driven, image-conscious.
4. The Individualist: Sensitive, introspective, self-absorbed.
5. The Investigator: Perceptive, innovative, secretive.
6. The Loyalist: Committed, security-oriented, anxious.
7. The Enthusiast: Spontaneous, versatile, scattered.
8. The Challenger: Self-confident, decisive, confrontational.
9. The Peacemaker: Receptive, reassuring, complacent.

Each type has its own path toward growth and areas to work on for improvement.

Step 1: Familiarize Yourself with the Types

Before jumping into the discovery process, take some time to read about each of the nine Enneagram types in detail. Understanding the core attributes of each type will help you better recognize where you might fit in.

Key Characteristics

While reading about each type, pay attention to the following aspects:

• Core Motivations: What drives their behavior?
• Basic Fears: What are they afraid of losing or not having?
• Strengths and Weaknesses: What are their main positive traits and potential pitfalls?
• Growth Paths: How can they develop healthier behaviors?

Understanding these components will help clarify which type resonates most with you.

Step 2: Take an Enneagram Test

Once you have a foundational understanding of the types, it’s time to take an Enneagram test. Many online assessments can help you gauge which type aligns best with your personality. Some popular options include:

• The Riso-Hudson Enneagram Type Indicator (RHETI)
• The Enneagram Institute’s test
• Eclectic Energies’ free Enneagram test

While tests can be a helpful starting point, remember that they don’t provide absolute answers; they should simply be used as a guide.

Tips for Taking the Test

• Be Honest: Answer questions as you truly feel rather than how you believe you should feel.
• Take Your Time: Don’t rush through the test; consider each question thoughtfully.
• Reflect on Your Results: Don’t just look at your highest score; consider all results and read descriptions of other types if needed.

Step 3: Reflect on Your Results

After completing the test and receiving your results, spend some time reflecting on them. You might identify strongly with one type or feel drawn to multiple types. Here’s how to navigate your results:

Understand the Nuances

Each type has subtypes (social, sexual/intimate, and self-preserving), which further influence behavior. Research these nuances to see if they resonate with your experiences.

Compare with Other Types

If you find that multiple types resonate with you or if your test results are unclear:

• Read about those types again.
• Consider how your background and life experiences might influence your personality.
• Connect with friends or family members who know you well and ask for their perspective on what they see in you.

Step 4: Explore Your Type Deeply

Once you’ve narrowed down your potential types:

Read Books and Resources

Several resources delve deeper into each type’s characteristics and challenges:

1. “The Wisdom of the Enneagram” by Don Richard Riso & Russ Hudson
2. “Personality Types” by Don Richard Riso & Russ Hudson
3. “The Path Between Us” by Suzanne Stabile

These books offer comprehensive insights into not only identifying your type but also understanding how it interacts with others.

Engage in Personal Reflection

Reflect on key moments in your life that align with the motivations and fears of your identified type. Consider journaling about significant relationships that highlight your Enneagram traits.

Step 5: Connect with Others

Finding community can greatly enhance your journey in understanding the Enneagram:

Online Forums and Groups

Join online forums or social media groups dedicated to discussing the Enneagram where you can share insights and ask questions about specific challenges related to your type.

Workshops and Classes

Look for workshops led by certified Enneagram coaches or trainers that offer deeper dives into personal application of the Enneagram framework.

Discussion Partners

Share what you’ve learned with friends or family members interested in personality systems to gain additional perspectives on yourself and them.

Step 6: Apply Your Knowledge for Growth

Understanding your Enneagram type is just the beginning; applying this knowledge presents opportunities for significant personal growth:

Identify Growth Areas

Every type has specific areas where they may struggle. Use this insight to set personal goals aimed at overcoming weaknesses.

Practice Self-Awareness

Use what you’ve learned about yourself to become more aware of patterns in your behavior—both positive and negative—and actively work on changing unhelpful habits.

Cultivate Compassion for Others

Understanding that everyone operates from different motivations can foster empathy in relationships. Use the framework to appreciate friends’ or coworkers’ perspectives even if they differ from yours.

Conclusion

Discovering your Enneagram type is an enriching journey that opens doors to greater self-awareness and personal development. By following this step-by-step guide—familiarizing yourself with the types, taking assessments, reflecting deeply on results, exploring resources, connecting with others, and applying your knowledge—you will gain valuable insights into yourself and those around you.

Embrace this opportunity for growth as you uncover more about who you are at your core! The path of self-discovery is ongoing; remain open-minded as you explore not only your own personality but also those of others along the way.