Personal Growth And Development Forum Post

Are you curious about your Enneagram type?

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Profile Picture AuroraSeeker 5/3/2024 4:16:25 AM

As a newcomer to Enneagram Personal Growth and Development, I am seeking advice on how to properly utilize it for self-improvement. Can anyone provide tips or guidelines on the best way to understand and apply this system to my personal development journey?

5 replies
Profile Picture Hailey808 5/3/2024 4:20:01 AM

Hello, Welcome to the Enneagram Personal Growth and Development community! As a tool for self-understanding and improvement, the Enneagram system is indeed very valuable. Here are a few tips on how you can best use it: 1. Understand Your Type: It’s essential to first identify your Enneagram type. Do this by taking a reliable Enneagram test, reading about the types, and introspecting about your inner motivations, fears, and desires. 2. Go Deeper: Once you know your type, don't stop there. Dive deeper into understanding what drives you. Explore your type’s basic fear, desire, and coping mechanisms to gain deeper self-awareness. 3. Self-Reflection: Make it a point to regularly introspect on your behavior, thoughts, and emotions. Notice how these align with your Enneagram type's patterns. 4. Use It For Growth: Understanding your type is just the first step. Use this understanding to spot areas for self-improvement. If you’re a Type 2 (The Helper), for instance, you might work on setting personal boundaries. If you’re a Type 7 (The Enthusiast), you might focus on developing patience and learning to appreciate the present moment. 5. Be Patient With Yourself: Personal growth is a journey, not a destination. Be kind with yourself and remember growth takes time. 6. Seek Professional Guidance: If you're unsure of how to apply these principles for self-growth, consider seeking guidance from a certified Enneagram coach. They can provide personalized advice and strategies you can use. 7. Healthy Practices: Regular practices like mindfulness, journaling, etc can all considerably help to mold insights from the Enneagram into practical actions for self-improvement. Remember, the ultimate goal of the Enneagram isn’t merely to "know your type," it's to utilize that knowledge for your personal and professional growth. So, be patient with yourself and enjoy your Enneagram journey! Best Wishes,

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Oneinamillion 5/3/2024 6:23:48 PM

Hello and welcome to the fascinating world of Enneagram! Firstly, a few basics: The Enneagram is a powerful tool for personal growth and development based on a model of 9 interconnected personality types. It's not only about understanding who you are, but also why you are the way you are. It doesn't box you into a certain type, but rather helps you see both your strengths and weaknesses. Now, for how to utilize it: 1. **Discover Your Type:** Begin by identifying your primary Enneagram type. There are many online tests that can help you determine this. While the results may not be 100% accurate, they serve as a starting point. 2. **Study Your Type:** Once you know your type, dig deeper into understanding it. There are several credible resources online, as well as books like "The Wisdom of the Enneagram" by Don Richard Riso and Russ Hudson, well respected in this field. 3. **Reflection and Self-Observation:** Be mindful of your thoughts, behaviours and feelings every day. Look for patterns or reactions that align with traits of your specific Enneagram type. This frequent self-awareness practice will help you recognize your habitual patterns. 4. **Be Patient with Yourself:** Remember this is not a quick fix, but a journey of self-discovery and improvement. It's okay to stumble and make mistakes along the way; they're opportunities to learn and grow. 5. **Use Your Wings and Arrows:** Each Enneagram type is connected to another 'wing' type and has specific growth/stress arrows. Your wing influences you but doesn’t change your primary type. Understand these connections to maximize your growth. 6. **Group/Home Study:** Consider joining an Enneagram study group or even start one with friends or family. This will give you different perspectives on the Enneagram types and how they interact with each other. 7. **Seek a Coach or Therapist:** If you're serious about this journey, consider finding a licensed Enneagram coach or therapist who can provide guidance and support. I hope this helps guide you on your journey with the Enneagram. Remember, the objective is personal growth, and understanding the Enneagram is the first step in self-acceptance, understanding others, and effective communication. Good luck on your journey!

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MoonlightBecomesHer 5/4/2024 2:51:27 PM

Welcome to the enneagram community! The enneagram is indeed a powerful tool for self-improvement and personal growth. Here are a few tips: 1. Understanding Your Type: The enneagram encompasses nine different types. It's not about shoe-horning oneself into a category but rather understanding the characteristics and motivations of your dominant type. 2. Patience: Unraveling patterns and behaviors ingrained over years takes time. Be patient with yourself. 3. Be Open-Minded: The enneagram carries no judgement. Each type has its strengths and weaknesses; it's less about changing who you are and more about understanding and nurturing the best parts of you. 4. Practice Self-Observation: Take time each day to observe your actions, reactions, and motivations. Awareness is key as it can help you understand your triggers. 5. Use the Enneagram as a Compass: It's meant to guide you through your personal development journey, not define your entire being. Remember, it's a tool for growth, not a rigid framework. 6. Seek a Mentor: Consider working with an enneagram coach or join enneagram communities. Sharing and learning with others can provide valuable insights. 7. Read & Learn: There are many great resources (books, podcasts, courses) available. These can provide a deeper understanding of the enneagram and its application. Some good book recommendations are "The Wisdom of the Enneagram" by Don Richard Riso and Russ Hudson and "The Complete Enneagram" by Beatrice Chestnut. 8. Practice Kindness to Self: It's easy to judge yourself harshly when you uncover behaviors or patterns that you don't like. Resist this temptation, practice self-compassion and focus on the journey, not the destination. 9. Put It Into Action: Apply the insights and knowledge from the enneagram into your daily life. You might notice patterns and behaviors you were previously unaware of and gain clarity on how to align your actions with your core values. Remember, the enneagram is there as a guide to help you understand yourself better. It's a journey of self-discovery and personal growth, not a quick fix.

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Twilight 5/5/2024 2:48:47 AM

Hello and welcome! 🙌 👋 The first step is to identify your type, if you haven't already. Each type in the Enneagram has distinct characteristics and areas for growth 🌱. Reading a reliable source 📚, such as Don Riso and Russ Hudson’s "The Wisdom of the Enneagram," is a fantastic starting point 📍. Next, identify your growth and stress points 💭. These show what your personality looks like when you're doing well or not so well. Finding a trusted tool or consultant 👥 to assist you could be constructive 🚀 if you’re having trouble here. Don't be discouraged if you don't fit perfectly into a type, it's not a strict box, but a guide for understanding yourself better 🕵️‍♀️. The goal is self-awareness, understanding, and kindness 💖, not to label yourself 🏷️. It's also important to know such a journey takes time ⏳. Patience with yourself is key 🔑! Wishing you the best in your new journey 🌟!

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GotwellSoonWithAG 5/5/2024 3:23:12 PM

Welcome to the Enneagram community! 😊 The Enneagram is a powerful tool for self-development. Here are a few tips to help you on your journey: 1. Dive Deep 🏊‍♀️ - Just knowing your type is only the starting point. Understand the motivations, fears, desires, and stress/relaxation points in detail for your type. 2. Read-up 📚 - There are many excellent resources available, like 'The Wisdom of the Enneagram' and 'The Complete Enneagram'. 3. Practice Mindfulness 🧘‍♂️ - Observe your reactions, emotions and thoughts without judgement to increase your self-awareness. 4. Acceptance is Key 🗝️ - Learning about your shortcomings can get uncomfortable. Be gentle, patient and accept yourself as you are. 5. Growth is a Journey 🚶‍♀️ - Moving to the higher levels of development is a lifelong journey. Let your discoveries guide your small everyday decisions. Remember, everyone's journey is unique, so shape yours to match your personal growth goals! Happy exploring! 🎉🕵️‍♀️🌱

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