enneagram

Personality types have always intrigued me, both in terms of self-analysis or making guesses about others. In the 8th grade, I took a very basic test which noted that I was a strong sanguine and choleric, with barely a drop of phlegmatic. As a high school senior I took a similar test which showed increasing phlegmatic. In college, I've taken the Myers-Briggs three times and each time score something similar to an ESTJ (T and F are always switching...). I've read the analysis and while it's decent, I've never felt as though it fully defines me.

However, last night, I discovered another analysis while reading a recent Donald Miller blog. It takes your Myers-Briggs analysis and offers a more distinct analysis. It takes personality types and puts them on a 9 point "circle" (sorry mathematicians...). Technically, I would align at either an 8 or a 3, however after reading the descriptions last night with my housemate, Mike, I'm convinced the 8 is more fitting.

I've never felt so defined by an outside source. As I read, I felt that it almost completely specified who I am. "Independent." "Assertive." "Passionate." "Vision." "Action." "Challenges." It went on to say that:

"In brief, Eights want to be self-reliant, to prove their strength and independence, to be important in their world, to have an impact on their environment, to have the unquestioned loyalty of their inner circle, and to stay in control of their situation. Eights do not want to feel weak or vulnerable, to feel out of control, to be dependent on others, to have their decisions or authority questioned, to lose others' backing, or to be surprised by others' unexpected actions."

I've been called blunt. I embrace it. And I prefer others to be blunt with me. The enneagram showed why I struggle with people who aren't... You may be wondering about the arrows. They show how your personality can change in certain situations. When I get stressed, I often turn into a 5, a Thinker. This is atypical of 8's, who normally like to be in charge. Instead, they pull away for as long as it takes to regroup and strategize. I resonate with that. To grow, 8's become a 2. 2's are more emotional, something 8's don't want to publicly embrace. But, usually after saying something regrettable, 8's must confront their emotions, usually apologizing and becoming vulnerable. That's how we grow. This all describes me to a T. We read it about Mike, and it described him too...

I'd recommend you all take your Myers-Briggs Analysis and visit the enneagram website.