4’s Core Motivation – I am striving to be:

• Unique by creating an identity that is significant and meaningful to me

I focus my attention on:

• Contemplating my feelings and thoughts and sharing them, especially with those closest to me
• Living authentically, creating meaningful, unique experiences
• Living fully and deeply

I avoid:

• Situations (experiences and people) that seem empty, ordinary, tedious or void of meaning

Typical characteristics and strengths:

• Creative, artistic, imaginative
• Comfortable with uniqueness
• Original
• Sensitive, empathetic, understanding
• Compassionate, caring
• Passionate, intense
• Expressive
• Intuitive, highly attuned to others
• Thoughtful, introspective
• Mission, purpose and meaning driven

Typical challenges or blindspots:

• Dramatic, intense
• Moody, temperamental
• Envious, jealous
• Unsatisfied or under-satisfied
• Disappointed, let down, lamenting
• Melancholy, depressive
• Withdrawn, brooding
• Focused on what is lost, missing or not possible
• Self-focused, often self-referencing
• Hampered by guilt and criticism

Typical patterns and behaviors:

• I am comfortable being my own unique person. It is common for me to feel different or special.
• I spend time introspecting and finding meaning in things. My reflection time tends toward contemplating the past or dreaming about the future.
• My creative/artistic pursuits (when I make time for them) enrich my life immensely and bring me joy.
• Emotions play a big role in my life. Whether happy or sad, I tend to experience all feelings deeply.
• Sharing my emotional experience is important to me, especially with those closest to me. This helps create the deep connection with others I thrive on.
• I am highly sensitive to how others treat me. Negative interactions and feedback often lead to feelings of guilt and shame.
• I can struggle with feeling depressed or burdened. I can get fatigued by the heaviness of life.

Considering your wings and arrows may help clarify nuances of your type.

• 4’s Wings: 3 and 5. Most of us “lean” more toward one of our two wings, sharing some behaviors with that type.
• Growth Arrow: 1. 4’s “move” toward 1 adopting 1ish behaviors and patterns for growth and development.
• Stress Arrow: 2. Where 4’s may go when they are experiencing acute stress or difficulty. Here we see the 4 demonstrate “low-side” or unhealthy type 2 behaviors.

Not sure what Enneagram type you are? Please contact me to learn more about Enneagram typing.