Those are just three of the nine personality types on the Enneagram that we learned about on A Closer Look this week with Helen Palmer.
Rather than a description of personality, Helen explained to us that it was more about the obstacles that each personality type faces… and that information would reveal insights to us, and help us create an “inner observer” to our patterns of behavior.
So we went around the Enneagram with Helen, and she gave us a short overview on each of the types, talking about obstacles
Here’s what I jotted down in my notes:
1. The Perfectionist: Self-criticizing, always trying to find the “right” way to do things. Procrastinates for fear of making a mistake.
2. The Giver: Needs to be needed. Put other’s needs first to keep from dealing with own needs. Can be manipulative
3. The Performer: Everything is done in terms of tasks, roles, performances. Looking for external approval by what they accomplish, not who they are.
4. The Tragic Romantic: Deals with issues of abandonment. Has Envy as an obstacle. Recalls the past (or the fantasy future) through rose-colored glasses.
5. The Observer: Is an isolationist. Prefers privacy. Is stingy-minded (not necessarily financially) Has great focus.
6. The Loyal Skeptic/Devils’ Advocate: Fear or anxiety is obstacle, has apprehension of authority. Procrastinates – thinking instead of doing.
7. The Epicure: Always looking at “next” and “tomorrow”. Trouble with commitment. There are the people who often have midlife crises.
8. The Boss: Lust for life (not necessarily sexual). Wants control, wants a lot of what they want, feels disempowered, says “nobody gets to control me!”
9. The mediator: Refusal to cooperate. They don’t have their own point of view. They are “self-forgetters.”
For more complete understanding of each type, go to www.Enneagram.com and click on The Enneagram.
I told Helen it was tough for me to decide which one of the numbers I was, even reading through her book extensively. She said that we often have many traits, but the method for determining our number is exclusionary… meaning that I should discard the numbers that had traits which definitely didn’t fit. From there I would find the number that most closely represented my “essence.” I’m still working on it.
It’s a fascinating system. In Helen’s book, she even points out how certain psychological issues are distinct within each enneagram type. For example, Fours often deal with depression, Nine can be passive-aggressive and Sevens can tend to harbor narcissism.
Click here to find out more about Helen Palmer and the websites that will give you more insight into the Enneagram. Not only has Helen written the definitive books about Enneagrams, but she even offers online courses. By reading up on the Enneagram, at least you will get a sense of understanding of different personality types. And at most… perhaps you will find ways to identify your obstacles and how to lead a more stress-free life.
Next week… Jane Pollak says no matter how bad the economy, it’s a
lways a good time to start your own business! That’s encouraging news, but for those of us who are a little scared to jump, Jane guides us along the way with her 101 Lessons from a Lifestyle Entrepreneur.
October is going to be a fun month! Not only will we talk with Jane, but we’ll talk about how to deal with PITA’s (Pains In The Ass) and dish some celebrity assistant talk with Bonnie Low-Kramen…that’s in celebration of Boss’s day. Dr. Jeff Spencer will join us and we’ll have much to discuss, with Lance Armstrong getting back in the cycling game. And we are so excited to have constitutional scholar David Adler chatting with us about how presidents throughout history have treated the constitution, and how that reflects on our economic crisis now, the war and so many other issues.
Oh… And Cher. Yes, Cher. Voting is a very important issue to her, so we reached back in our archives to pull out a short interview I had with her about the importance of voting and why she could never go in to politics!
Curiosity. You never know where it will take us. Hopefully you’ll come along for the ride!
’til next time…
Pam
1 Comment
December 17, 2008 at 4:46 am
I put up a post about this show (Enneagrams) with a link to this page and a link to the show. I still don’t know which one I am. I need to read more about it.