What are You chasing: Types 7, 8, and 9 In this series, we have been looking into each enneagram type and their patterns, motivations, and ultimately their chase that keeps them stuck. We all chase after what we think will give us love, acceptance, belonging, or what we think we need. Knowing your enneagram type will help you see the chase you are stuck in, and with practice derail the chase. Let’s look at types 7, 8, and 9 this week. Enneagram Type 7 What Are You Chasing? Types 7, 8, and 9 Type seven is chasing satisfaction and enjoyment. How can I have the most fun? At the same time, sevens are also avoiding pain and repress feelings. Their chase takes them from place to place, always seeking an experience of fulfillment while not going deep enough to feel uncomfortable or vulnerable. Keeping things light and fun, means sevens have a lot of friends. They also have more experiences and stories than any other number, but this chase can rob type sevens of the depth they don’t even know they desire. While bouncing around from this fun thing to the next, they miss connecting deeply. They’ve moved on before allowing themselves to be seen. These satisfaction seekers will never truly be satisfied if they stay on this chase. They are quick to re-frame things positively, which can be a great skill. However, sevens do this so quickly and seamlessly, it can feel like they are experiencing an alternate reality. Instead of feeling the pain of disappointment or heartbreak, they want to brush those feelings away seeing only a good side. But we need to disappointments to help us grow and heartbreak forms strength. Tools to derail the chase for type 7 Be here now. Sevens often thrive on anticipating future events so much so, that they forget to be in the present. Being in the moment will take conscious effort and practice for sevens, but will pay off. Repeating the words “be here now,” as a sort of mantra, can help ground sevens to the moment they are in. When distractions come and ideas that are more exciting that what is going on in the present, repeat the mantra. It will mean so much to the people you are with to have your full attention and awareness. This simple shift is a powerful tool in derailing your chase and bringing more meaning and satisfaction back to your life. Develop a consistent creative outlet Enneagram type seven probably has the biggest imagination of all the types. This means they need places they can use this massive idea factory stored in their brains. Using their creativity regularly helps sevens feel what they cannot express, stay grounded, and adds the satisfaction to life that they crave. It will look different for each individual, of course. Some sevens may love music and play many instruments, others might be very artistic and enjoy drawing, painting and creating. The key here is to define a time and place for this creativity to come alive, and keep to it. Maybe its every Sunday night in the garage… a set aside time and place for freedom (a type seven’s favorite word) and imagination to run wild. Let yourself be seen This might be the most challenging for type seven, who on the outside wants others to think of them as easy going and fun loving. But what about their deeper side? Beneath all that silly, happy-party person is a deep thinker. Someone with great and fantastical ideas, and someone afraid to get hurt. You don’t have to let everyone see your deeper side, but choose one or two close friends who you can share everything with. They will help you develop your repressed feeling center by being a safe place for you to express yourself. This is vital for derailing your chase, and worth every painful minute of practice. Enneagram Type 8 What are you chasing enneagram types Type eight is chasing justice and independence. Eights are big power players. But more than wanting control, they just don’t want to be controlled. They highly value their independence, as well as protecting the people they love. Their chase becomes dangerous when they are willing to hurt others to remain in charge of their own destiny. An eight’s boldness can allow them to be vengeful, self-centered, and intensely domineering. They see the world in black and white, right and wrong and will go after anyone challenging them. Under this warrior of a personality, lies a softer side, hidden and protected from possible betrayal (an eights biggest fear). Tools to Derail the Chase for Type 8 Put the Defenses Down Since eights have a stance of deflecting and being on the defense, it is hard to break through. Many times, all that is needed is a deep breath and a reality check. Some questions to ask yourself: What do I know for sure? Is it possible I am in the wrong? Have my words or actions been hurtful? Eights think and act so quickly that they can miss what is happening in the moment. Often times, they have moved on without taking time for valuable reflection. A simple pause and check in time, can be very helpful for type eight. Putting the defenses down will allow for awareness and growth. New perspective can be enlightening for eights who are used to seeing things only one way. Let Others In Eights fear being betrayed, and rarely take the risk of deep relationship. It is important for eights to have one or two people with whom they can show their deepest parts. Being vulnerable with these few people will allow that softness to develop and stop the chase of protection in its tracks. Choose a time once a week to share personal things with your person. This gives you accountability to stick to this development that is needed to derail your chase. Maybe you meet for coffee and answer these questions: What has made me feel out of control this week? What has made me feel loved? Was there a moment when I noticed myself saying or doing something that unintentionally hurt someone this week? These sample questions are a good place to start to give you something tangible to work with. Bringing up feelings and being aware of the way your dominance affects others are huge steps of growth. This is the beginning, and the person you choose to come along on the journey with you wants to support you and walk along side you as you grow. Enneagram Type 9 what are you chasing enneagram types? Nines are chasing peace. This peace they seek is both inner peace and outer peace. Their chase often looks like avoiding conflict in an effort to protect their peace, or find it. Like the other types, this seems like a good goal on the surface. Who couldn’t use more peace? But the danger of the type nine’s chase is the constant need for no conflict. They will avoid doing things, and spending time with people altogether to keep conflict at bay and remain in peace. Their chase can also look like not engaging in life. Hard conversations and tasks will get put off. They’ll do that later. Involving themselves might jeopardize the peace status… so its better just to let things go. Nines also shut down how they really feel in honor of perceived peace. They become people pleasers, agreeing to do whatever is asked of them. They want to please who they are with and go along with the plan, but may have no intention of actually doing it. Tools to Derail the Chase for Type 9 The Conflict Bridge I like this word picture of thinking of conflict like a bridge for nines. The bridge is the place where the hard thing has to happen, but once you cross it there is beauty on the other side. Nines tend to want to stay on the safe side for as long as possible, but in this case… the grass really can be greener on the other side. Embracing conflict may be the hardest thing you ever do. Remind yourself that you can do it. You can cross that bridge, and you will be happy you did. Think of what beauty lies on the other side, that should be your focus. All you have to do is walk over there. When this is realized, big doors begin to open for type nine. It won’t be easy, but positive self-talk can keep nines moving in the right direction. Remind yourself that you have handled conflict before, and that you can do it again. The peace you want is on the other side of the bridge. What do you want? Nines often get lost merging with those around them and don’t take the time and energy to figure out what they actually want. Getting out of this cycle is a tough one, but it begins by awareness. Notice when you are agreeing because its easier to merge than voice your opinion. Ask yourself, what do I want? What is my opinion? This practice will help you get a handle on how much you follow the wants and desires of others, and give you a starting place to find your own voice. The next step, is saying how you feel and stating what you believe. Sometimes that will mean saying, no. Other times that will mean you have to cross that bridge of conflict to be heard and to resolve a differing opinion. You are worth it. What you have to say matters and your beliefs deserve to be heard. Want an overview of all nine types? Grab the 9 types packet here! As always, Thank you for reading! I hope you have enjoyed this series of each enneagram type and their chase and some tools to derail those chases! You might also like: What Are You Chasing Types 1, 2, & 3 What Are You Chasing Types 4, 5, & 6
What are You Chasing? Do you ever feel like you’re going in circles? Overwhelmed by the cycles of life, and you never quite get to where you set out to go? It may be time to ask yourself, what are you chasing? Why is it that you feel this disconnect from wholeness? Today’s post will cover types 1, 2 and 3 on the enneagram and their specific chase. We are all chasing something in an effort to feel seen, heard, loved and understood. The way we chase after these things however, looks very different for each enneagram number. We are motivated differently, and our subconscious sends us on the chase to fulfill a deep need within us. When this need goes unnoticed, the chase remains as simply a distraction from life’s true meaning and purpose. In attempt to get our needs met, we can create some pretty destructive paths. Identification The first step to understanding your chase is to identify it. What is it you are after? Why are you on this path? Is this the best way to get what you want and be who you want to be? These questions will help you pause and reflect upon what is really going on in your life. Many of us are stuck on “autopilot,” living each day like the one before… but what if there is more. And by more, I mean less… Let’s take a look at each enneagram type, their chase, and movement into growth toward their virtue. By understanding the chase, we can refocus, simplify, and move forward in transforming and beautiful ways. Type one Enneagram type one is chasing improvement and perfection. Doesn’t sound so bad, right? We need people concerned with making things better and striving for the best. However, the chase of the one becomes dangerous when they elevate this desire of improvements over all else. They become obsessed and harsh, pointing out every detail out of place. Judging themselves, others, and their surroundings for short comings, consumes them. And the chase is on! Here’s where the enneagram shines as my favorite tool… We can give the struggling type one practical handles to grab hold of that will literally change their life from chase cycle to a path of contentment and ease. Tools to derail your chase Journaling Ones need a place to channel their negative energy and critiques. Instead of tearing themselves and others down for the things that they see, one way to stop the chase in its tracks is to write these thoughts down. Get them out of your head and down on to paper where they can be put to rest for a while. Beyond letting the critiques be known in a safe place, a type one really needs to acknowledge the good that is happening in their everyday lives. Journaling about what is going right is an extremely powerful move for ones. Name the ten things going well, and let go of the one thing that went wrong. Movement Literally moving their bodies is a great way for ones to get out some of their energy and fill their bodies with positivity. Exercising can also help quiet that inner critic as the brain is flooded with endorphins. Letting Go Making a mental note and personal goal to let go, for type one is a major growth move. There are many little things everyday that are hard to let go of. Letting go of the control in a few small areas will allow for more feelings of peace and harmony, and a new found freedom for ones. Type Two Enneagram type two is chasing affirmation and approval from others. We all want to be liked by others and love hearing that we have done well. For the type two however, they can turn this into a manipulative pull. Subconsciously, twos chase this approval from others and prioritize it above all else. They give, give, give in hopes to gain likability in the eyes of others. Their chase feeds their ego which looks like pride. Two’s become martyr-like, sacrificing in ways beyond healthy boundaries that are both destructive and unwarranted. Tools to Derail Your Chase Pause for thinking It is the two’s instinct to act on whatever feeling is going on at the present moment. They leave thinking behind, and do until they are exhausted. A helpful tool for twos in these moments, is to pause and ask powerful questions to bring up thinking. Can someone else do this task? Do I need to take ownership of this situation? What am I saying no to, if I say yes to this? These simple questions can help the type two really focus on what is important. Prioritizing and setting boundaries helps you live your best life, and move in the ways you were meant to without taking ownership of things that aren’t meant for you to carry. Journal When type twos journal, they tend to focus on other people. Instead, let this journaling time be about you, reflect on how you are feeling. Write down the questions from above for even deeper reflection on what you are taking on. Think about the why in your life. Why am I doing what I am doing? You will be surprised at what comes up and the impact it will have on your life. This journaling exercise helps derail your chase by giving you back the power. It is easy to fall into dependence on others from their opinions to feeling obligated to serve them. You don’t need their approval. You are enough just as you are. Words of affirmation Furthermore, be your own encouragement. Find words that inspire you and choose a place to make them visible daily. Maybe you can write a powerful mantra on your mirror, or put a sticky note near your doorway. Through the ebbs and flows of life, you need to know that you are enough, that you already have everything you need within you. People are going to let you down, and without their love and approval, you still have what it takes inside you to be whole and lovely. Shower yourself with positive self-talk. This means tell yourself the words you need to hear. Steer clear of negativity and work at building yourself up. Say the things you would say to your dearest friend, and you’ll be right on target. Type Three Type three is chasing success and achievement. In one way or another we all want success, but for type three this is their end game. They will avoid failure at all cost, meaning if they have to cut corners a bit to come out on top, they will. In their chase, threes become chameleons in order to get what they want and to look how they feel they need to appear. When type three is caught up in the chase, they have a hard time seeing reality and understanding even who they really are. Their road to wholeness can be a tricky one. Tools to derail your chase Confession To begin the journey to wholeness, threes need to start by finding out where in their lives they are being inauthentic. This can be done through talking with a trusted friend. Being open about real struggles, and confessing where they haven’t been honest. Though challenging at first, this practice of confession will become extremely freeing for the type three. They live their lives in a guarded way, afraid of rejection and failure. By taking this step in honesty and vulnerability, their chase will be thrown off course. Journal Yes, this is a recurring beneficial practice! Each type needs journaling with a slightly different focus. For type three, let your journaling time be the place where you are the most honest. Community When threes move into their healthier space, there is a shift from spotlight on them, to caring more about the group as a whole. This can be done intentionally. Shifting the focus from personal success, to what does the group need? Not only can you lead the group with excellence as a three, but you can take advantage of what the community has to offer. Allow your community to support you, let them lead sometimes, and realize the gifts that come through dependence rather than being the lone wolf. Life will continue to ebb and flow. We will constantly be at odds with the chase. But this doesn’t mean we surrender to it. Even simply being aware that we have a chase, makes us more likely not to fall into it’s patterns. Be kind to yourself as you grow. Just try to make one positive step today that is better than yesterday. Move in the direction you wish to become. I hope that some of these tools will prove helpful for you within your own type and that you will be on your way derailing your chase and living in wholeness. Blessings! Thanks for reading! Grab this printable pdf below, a quick glance at the 9 types passions and virtues. Our passions are the chase left unattended. The virtue is our path toward growth and personal development. I want this printable! Want an overview of all 9 enneagram types? get it HERE! You might also like: Enneagram Type 1 and Fictional Characters Is Your Enneagram Passion Controlling You?
