What is The Enneagram?

The word stems from the Greek word ennea (nine) and grammos (a written symbol). You just pictured the dad from My Big Fat Greek Wedding didn’t you?

Back to the question- The nine-pointed Enneagram symbol is used to represent nine distinct strategies for relating to one’s self, others and the world. Each one of these types has a different pattern of thinking, feeling and acting that comes from a deeper inner motivation or view.

How does The Enneagram Relate to Me?

I find it absolutely fascinating that answering a few questions I can get insight on my deeper inner thoughts and feelings. To put it differently, I can better understand the answers to why I do things, feel things in situations. It’s not that the test told me I was something that I didn’t know, it is that it said here are your tendencies; this is where you have strengths and this is your weakness.

Once you understand your Enneagram type, you can then study other people’s and how you relate to them. What you perceive one way someone else does totally different. It can help you see it from their point of view.

Do you ever find yourself feeling like you’re being held back from creating the life you want because of fear and self-doubt? Feeling like you want to improve but don’t know where or how to begin? The Enneagram can help you understand and create a roadmap that best works for you to reach your goals and gain confidence. That being said, it’s not an excuse. “Oh well, I’m this way because I’m a (insert Enneagram Type).” Once you understand the type there are ways and methods to help you learn how to best strengthen those areas of weakness.

How I found Enneagram Personality Test

It’s funny how scary accurate it can be. My sister had taken the test online and told me about it so I decided to give it a try. Because it nailed my personality, it also allowed me to look at the other types and relate them to people in my life which gave me a better understanding of the best methods of communication with those people.

My Top 3 types were: Type 5, Type 3, and Type 6. My wings were 5w4 and 5w6.

Test Online

There are various test out there, I’ve taken a couple and they gave me the same conclusions. The ones that I used were free. There’s The FAST Enneagram Testas well as Your Enneagram Coach. There is also a paid test ($10) through Enneagram Institute.

The Nine Types

The Reformer- the rational and idealistic type, principled, purposeful, self-controlled.
The Helper- the caring and interpersonal type, generous, people-pleasing
The Achiever (or Motivator)-the success oriented and pragmatic type, adaptable, excelling
The Creative (or Individualist)- the sensitive and withdrawn type, dramatic, temperamental
The Investigator (or Thinker)- the intense and cerebral type, innovative, perceptive
The Loyalist (or Skeptic)- the committed and security oriented type, responsible, engaging,
The Enthusiast (or Generalist)- the extroverted and spontaneous type, versatile, acquisitive
The Challenger (or Leader)- the powerful and dominating type, self-confident, decisive
The Peacemaker- the easy going and self-effacing type, reassuring, complacent, receptive.

It’s common to see some of yourself in all nine types, although one should stand out as be the closest to yourself.

Enneagram Wings

Not only do you have your main type, but it has been found that usually you will have characteristics of one of the types that lie adjacent to your main type. This is known as a “wing.” For example, you may be a type 5 and have a wing of a 4 or 6. This would be shown as a “5w4” and “5w6.” If you do not have a dominant wing, it is said that the wings are balanced.

Enneagram Instagram Accounts to Follow

Your Enneagram Coach Instagram– This Instagram account has a lot of good information and post about supporting other types. It focuses especially on marriages.

Social Enneagram– This Instagram account is all about conversation! There is tons of helpful and insightful information. Definitely a favorite to check out!

Enneagramandcoffee– This is another favorite account with lots of great information. Including…. Disney Princess Enneagrams!! Yes, I said Disney Princess!

It’s amazing how it can help you better understand yourself and the people you interact with. Enneagram is a fantastic way to help you do that! What’s your type?