strength through weakness

I’ve taken Enneagram tests before, and I always come back as a 7—if you’re familiar with the personality system, that’s probably not a surprise.

I mentioned recently starting to work with a coach, Phil. Prior to the start of our relationship, I took another Enneagram test, and this week, we talked a little about my “sevenness.” Phil said that the best way to determine your Enneagram type is actually not to take a test but to read the “shadows” of each type, and the number whose shadow makes you feel the most shame is your type. Everyone wants to identify with the “positives”, but it’s in the shadows that we truly find our Self.

After we wrapped up our call, I cracked open a book I purchased about the Enneagram system for my LifeDesign+ clients, The Wisdom Of The Enneagram, and went straight to the chapter on type 7.

I definitely identified with the “positives” of being a 7, but this time I wanted to pay more attention to the “shadows” of being a 7 and see how I felt. I definitely can see the shadows in my Self, and while I’m not sure the reasons for some of the shadows in this particular book are accurate (childhood stuff), I can’t deny what a 7’s shadows can lead to. Thankfully, I don’t think my shadow has been harmful, but it has probably held me back from making a larger impact in my mission of helping more people live their authentic lives.

I’ll share more as I have more time to reflect and learn about my shadows, but I do see how, through these “weaknesses” of the shadows, I grow, become better, and make a more significant impact.

I used to think “shadows” were hidden traumas or weaknesses; at least with the Enneagram system, the shadows are just tendencies that can work against us. But since they are just tendencies, they can be identified and overcome, adding to our strength.

So, through our weaknesses, we can find more strength.

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See you tomorrow and keep pursuing,

JC