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

• Excited, engaged, entertained, satisfied, content and free of constraint

I focus my attention on:

• What is new, exciting and possible
• Finding and maintaining options, especially options that are joyful and fun
• Having freedom and flexibility

I avoid:

• Situations where I feel constrained, limited, trapped or bored
• Uncomfortable feelings and situations by distracting myself with more pleasant options

Typical characteristics and strengths:

• Creative, imaginative
• Curious
• Flexible and spontaneous
• Fun-loving
• High-energy, upbeat
• Quick-minded
• Adventurous
• Positive, optimistic
• Engaging
• Idea generator and innovator

Typical challenges or blindspots:

• Follow-through and task completion (especially when tasks are mundane or perceived as mundane)
• Details, routines, structure
• Distractible, easily bored
• Dislike limitation or feeling limited
• Excessive planning
• Unfocused, scattered, frenzied
• Inconsistent and undisciplined
• Impulsive, rebellious

Typical patterns and behaviors:

• I am charming, charismatic, and high-spirited. I have a can-do attitude that often engages and excites others.
• I can be bold and daring. I am willing to take risks. This can lead to innovation, interesting experiences and fun adventures. Overdone, my risk-taking can be problematic.
• I generate ideas and put disparate things together. I am able to see possibilities and options often where others do not.
• My innate ability to reframe – turn negatives into positives – provides inspiration and hope in times of difficulty. This behavior can also be viewed as dismissive or insensitive.
• My drive to plan adventurous, fun activities and seek possibilities can be a distraction from completing tasks, leading me to neglect responsibilities.
• Because I tend to avoid bad news and negative feedback, I sometimes do not see the whole picture.

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

• 7’s Wings: 6 and 8. Most of us “lean” more toward one of our two wings, sharing some behaviors with that type.
• Growth Arrow: 5. 7’s “move” toward 5 adopting 5ish behaviors and patterns for growth and development.
• Stress Arrow: 1. Where 7’s may go when they are experiencing acute stress or difficulty. Here we see the 7 demonstrate “low-side” or unhealthy type 1 behaviors.

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