Where you are on the growth meter?
The Enneagram has three primary categories of psychological health that people fall into: healthy (your best traits reveal themselves), average (regularly displaying both positive and negative characteristics), or unhealthy (insecurities and negative patterns show up more often).
TYPE 1 Growth Pattern
Ones descend into low health when they’re afraid of being corrupt. Their obsession with being good and ensuring that things are “right” devolves into Ones becoming controlling and hypercritical of themselves and others.
Ones at their best accept themselves, others, and life as they are. They’re multidimensional thinkers who are tolerant and loving, living by a set of values that creates substantial impact for the greater good.
TYPE 2 Growth Pattern
Twos descend into low health when they’re afraid of being unlovable. Their need to be loved drives them to be overly helpful and involved, which frustrates others and pushes them farther away.
Twos at their best are secure in their love and give themselves permission to take care of their own needs. From this sturdy foundation they have oceans of love to tap into, making them truly compassionate, radiant beacons who nurture and encourage others.
TYPE 3 Growth Pattern
Threes descend into low health when they’re afraid of being worthless. Their need to be seen as important drives them to become ruthlessly competitive with others, overly adapt themselves, and act deceitfully.
Threes at their best are secure in their self-worth and feel valuable on their own terms. Their authentic internal self is benevolent and truly admirable, leading them to achieve consistent success while becoming inspiring role models for others.
TYPE 4 Growth Pattern
Four descend into low health when they’re afraid of being without an identity. Their excessive introspection causes them to become overly self-conscious and disconnected from all that is good and meaningful in life.
Fours at their best overcome their self-consciousness and open themselves up to life, allowing access to inner hidden depths with all its potential for inspiration. They are able to discover their true, dynamic self and unleash their creative potential.
TYPE 5 Growth Pattern
Fives descend into low health when they’re afraid of being incapable. They adopt a cynical attitude and isolate themselves from the world, leading to paranoid thoughts and distorted perceptions.
Fives at their best are secure in their competence and do not feel the need to stockpile knowledge. Instead they use their intellect to perceive the world as it truly is, finding and bringing clarity to others while making innovative discoveries.
TYPE 6 Growth Pattern
Sixes descend into low health when they’re afraid of being without support. They becoming worrying and indecisive, oscillating between states of rebellious acting-out and paranoid insecurity.
Sixes at their best are secure in themselves and do not feel the need to be on high alert. They possess the courage to trust themselves and others, standing up for their values and using their foresight to protect their people.
TYPE 7 Growth Pattern
Sevens descend into low health when they’re afraid of being deprived. They become highly anxious and scattered with excessive manic behaviors to escape the onset of negative emotions.
Sevens at their best no longer need external stimulation to be fulfilled. Instead they feel fully nourished and content, grateful for all that life has to offer. They are quick-minded explorers whose high spirits infuse others with energy.
TYPE 8 Growth Pattern
Eights descend into low health when they're afraid of being controlled. They adopt an adversarial attitude and lone wolf mentality, leading them to use their strength in domineering and bullying ways.
Eights at their best are secure in their power and do not feel a need to display their strength. Instead they use it to inspire others and bolster the weak and vulnerable. They are crusaders for the truth and for the underdog.
TYPE 9 Growth Pattern
Nines descend into low health when they’re afraid of loss and separation. Their desire to keep peace at any cost devolves into a disconnect with reality, and with it, their connection to the people they care for.
Nines at their best are secure in their connection to themselves and others, becoming highly present and engaged in the moment. They are able to truly understand other perspectives, and actively engage with the world to bring about profound peace.
Which type are you, and where do you sit on the growth meter?