Am I an Enneagram type 7?

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.
Enneagram 7

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.