Confessions of an Enneagram Type 1

I took the Enneagram survey this week. The Enneagram is an assessment tool developed by Oscar Ichazo to better understand ourselves. There are nine Enneagram types. Each type categorizes you with certain personality strengths and areas for growth. After taking the quick and efficient Enneagram test at https://enneagramtest.com/, my results tallied up to a Type 1 - the Perfectionist... Type 1's are motivated to improve themselves and their lives. They can be perceived by others as ambitious. They are in general very responsible and others can easily depend on them. There's nothing wrong with being a perfectionist, BUT, it does come with its own set of challenges. Perfectionists are known to be detail-oriented, organized, and have a reputation for getting $*#! done. Those describe me fairly well. At work, I keep all my tasks and projects organized on a giant white board that I categorize by projects broken down into small, bite-sized chunks. I relish marking items off this list each day. And, I look forward to updating the board with a new set of projects at the end of each month. This large visual format allows me to think strategically about the work I do, to accurately prioritize work that is most pressing or time-consuming, and make sure I generate quality output by the given deadlines. At home, it means I keep a running list of chores, inventory of household items, and run a mean pantry of yummy food. Overall, this tendency toward perfectionism helps me keep my life moving in the direction I would like it to. However, there is a shadow side to the Type 1 Perfectionist. When I'm under stress, I can be my own worst critic. When I don't meet a deadline, when I turn in work that isn't my "best," or when I just don't feel productive - I can be really hard on myself. At my worst, perfectionism also means that I can sometimes disregard others' ideas and opinions off-hand because I believe my ideas really are the best. It is a challenge I face often to deeply listen to others, to make room for other ideas, and opinions, and to take advice frmo others at work and at home. All of this means that I can sometimes come off as too self-serious - a "stick in the mud." What I'm learning to embrace more each day is taking myself and my work a little less seriously. I am seeking ways to embrace play - coloring outside the lines, mixing patterns in my outfits, and incorporating spontaneous microadventures. All of these practices help me get out of my comfort zone to learn and grow with others. What's your Enneagram type? What areas are you trying to grow in? What are your strengths?

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