The Enneagram & Beyond: Tools To Help Discover Who You Are
Hi!
We live in a society that is obsessed with learning about other people. Celebrity blogs. Scrolling on Instagram. Reality TV. People watching. Get my point? I’ve realized that there is very little interest from the world at large about how to properly examine and understand who you are. Why were you created for this very time? What makes you smile, sad, intrigued, motivated, etc? These are all important factors that make us individuals.
While at church recently, I got the idea to write this post to share tools that can help you understand more about your personality and your being. It’s needed, so I hope this aids everyone as we all continue in our ongoing pursuits to discover ourselves in this big world.
Before we get started — please note that I’m not an expert in these categories. I’ve explored them, taken the tests, read books, etc. but some people eat, sleep, and breathe this content for a living, so do yourself a favor and Google a bit.
Add These Tools In Your Learning Toolbox
1. The Word of God. It might not be popular, but I’d be playing everyone, including myself, if I didn’t include my main source for where I go to learn more about who I was created to be. If you’re a Christian, or if you are someone who has never picked up the Bible, I hope these scriptures warm your heart and provide a glimpse of God’s love when He created you:
I will give thanks and praise to You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Wonderful are Your works, And my soul knows it very well. - Psalms 139:14
The LORD will make you the head and not the tail; you will only move upward and never downward, if you hear and carefully follow the commandments of the LORD your God, which I am giving you today. - Deuteronomy 28:13
These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full. - John 15:11
Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go. - Joshua 1:9
Explore the Bible
2. Love Languages. It’s such a classic, and yet, it is still so relevant. Perhaps because our relationship with love lasts forever? The 5 Love Languages is a book that was written by Gary Chapman is 1993. You’ve likely heard people talk about it solely in the context of love relationships, but the information you receive about the way you like to be loved applies to all relationships. Below you’ll see the different love languages. If you take the test, you’ll get a better idea of your love language and you can better equip yourself to communicate what you need to feel loved and appreciated. Also, they have released an apology language test and anger assessment test because we definitely need those!
5 Love Languages: Receiving gifts, quality time, words of affirmation, acts of service (devotion), and physical touch.
Take the test
3. Enneagram. OK, I know this one is a hot topic at the moment. It’s the cool way to explore your personality type to better understand how you navigate in the world. According to The Enneagram Institute, the Enneagram is defined as a system of nine personality types combining traditional wisdom with modern psychology - a powerful tool for understanding ourselves and the people in our lives. I recommend that you take the test here and read up on to see where you fit.
Take the test
4. 16 Personalities. Ah, my fave. The Myers–Briggs Type Indicator is an introspective self-report questionnaire that teaches you about yourself in a freakishly accurate way! The 16 personality types are categorized into four-letter acronyms. Your acronym is connected with a title. Once you gather this info, you can explore how you operate in the workplace, in relationships and even with friends. When I read my description, I promise it has my name written all over it!
Take the test
5. Talk to People that Know You. Don’t get lost in the digital world. Put your phone down, grab some coffee, and chat with people that know and love you. Ask them questions and request their honesty. Be ready to hear the good and bad. It’s also a great idea to chat with older people in your family — they can teach you about your lineage and what talents are woven into your DNA. The key is to speak with people that love you so that you can learn with an open heart, knowing that they are coming from a good place.
So what’s next? Take a quiz, listen to a podcast about these topics, or sit down with a Christian that you trust and ask them to take you through the Bible to learn more about how God created you to win, learn, serve, and enjoy life — these all apply, no matter what your Enneagram number is! You just might be inspired.
If you’ve made it this far, you might be wondering about my personality types.
Here they are — Love Language: Acts of Service followed by Words of Affirmations; Enneagram: 3; 16 Personalities ENFJ- Protagonist.
Be Bold,
Major
What I’m Currently Listening to: Whole Heart by Hillsong UNITED