Considering taking an Enneagram test? If you’ve heard about the Enneagram through friends or social media, you might be curious about your type and how to determine this number. While different personality theories (such as the Meyers Briggs) come with questionnaires to help you determine where you fall, Enneagram enthusiasts don’t actually recommend centering your findings & feelings about it on one single QA. We’re sharing more on that below, plus other tips to know before taking an Enneagram test to learn your type!
Enneagram tests are useful in discovering your type, but they aren’t the only tool you should use
Like any personality test, your answers might differ depending on how you’re feeling in the moment. While it’s easy to simply focus on the number you’ve been matched with, it’s important to read a lot about each number to really see which resonates with you most. Remember that Enneagram numbers are not only about your personality, but the core beliefs that are manifested within your personality.
Anyone can create an enneagram test
The internet is amazing for its wealth of information, but that also means just about anyone can publish their opinion. Just another reminder that tests are limited and don’t paint the full picture. Therefore they may have their own way of determining types and it may differ from someone else. Instead of relying on these questionnaires alone, I recommend reading about the Enneagram and all its intricacies in books such as The Road Back To You and The Wisdom of the Enneagram. Click here for a great list to help you get started!
You might not be happy with your result
Whether or not your Enneagram test helps you discover your number or just points you in the right direction, reading about the different types (particularly the weaknesses of each number) can feel pointed at first. This is because the Enneagram system encourages a deep dive into one’s core beliefs and inner worlds, and that kind of work can be a little uncomfortable at times. The Enneagram is all about personal growth though, so embracing your weaknesses will only put you on the path toward a healthier version of yourself.
You can always go deeper
One of the fascinating things about the Enneagram is that there is always more to explore. Once you learn your number, you can learn more about how that number is affected by different moments in your life. For example, each Enneagram number goes to completely different numbers in both stress and in health. Because of this, you may find yourself exhibiting characteristics outside of your core number depending on your current circumstances. Every Enneagram number also has a wing – the numbers adjacent to your core number. Typically, a person leans toward one wing or another, showing that your Enneagram type isn’t meant to restrict you or put you in a box. As the beloved author Ian Cron says, “The Enneagram doesn’t put you in a box. It shows you the box you’re already in and how to get out of it.”
Have you ever taken an Enneagram test? What do you find helpful in learning more about your own personality? For more resources on the Enneagram and personality, take a look at this post by Laura Miltenberger, author of My Enneagram Journal and Enneagram Empowerment.
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