Everyone has a unique personality. But according to the Enneagram, an ancient form of personality analysis, we all fit one of 9 personality types, as represented by a 9-pointed geometric shape. Once you review the Enneagram and determine which type or point you belong to, you will have a clearer understanding of what you are and how to lead a happier life!
1. The perfectionist
If you are a perfectionist, you value truth and Justice and seek perfection in all things.
Pluses : you are organised and ambitious, with a clear sense of right and wrong. You like to make improvements wherever you can. Others are impressed by your high energy and dedication to worthwhile causes. Considerate and fare, you come to the rescue of those who are being mistreated.
Pitfalls : worried about making mistakes, you are sometimes scene as a control freak who can't seem to go with the flow. You tend to take on too much responsibility, then get resentful because no one cares as much as you. You can be too hard on yourself.
TIP FOR HAPPINESS : work on learning to accept life - with all its quirks and imperfections. Remember: it is not up to you alone to save the world. So ease up on the high expectations, and try to go with the flow a little more. You will find that, when you losen up and don't get so hung up on avoiding mistakes, you actually get more done and have more fun.
2. THE HELPER
If you are a helper, you are generous and caring and value love above all else.
Pluses: compassionate and warm hearted, you have a special way of making others to feel loved and appreciated. People may refer to you as a "saint" because you are always doing for others. You give great hugs, and your smile can absolutely belt hearts.
Pitfalls : you have a tendency to take on too much and then wind up feeling mad and put upon. If you don't sense that your good deeds are appreciated, you may say flippant things to other people to get back at them. You can sometimes be too nice for your own good.
TIP FOR HAPPINESS : try not to place so much importance on getting approval from others. When you do something nice for someone, make sure it is from the goodness of your heart- not an attempt to win the person over. Work on being direct, and telling others what you want from them rather than trying to make them feel guilty. Remember: you don't have to prove your work to be loved.
3. The achiever
If you are an achiever, you are confident and ambitious and values success and admiration.
Pluses : you are energetic, charming and popular. You have got tons of enthusiasm and a real flair for communicating and motivating others. Because people want to be like you, you can be very powerful and influential.
Pitfalls : you can get so caught up with projecting the right image that you lose side of who you really are. If you feel your position is threatened in some way, you can become fiercely competitive and self-centred. You may have trouble accepting your limitations, which can make you come across as fake and stuck-up.
TIP FOR HAPPINESS : you have got a lot going for you, and if you can make the most of your strengths without pushing yourself beyond your limits - you can be truly successful and happy. Work on developing a true sense of who you are, not who you would like to be. By truly committing yourself to others, you can become more honest and accepting.
4. The individualist
If you are an individualist, you are artistic and imaginative and value self-expression.
Pluses : you have a strong drive to understand yourself - your emotions, dreams and purpose in life. Compassionate and intuitive, you enjoy revealing your feelings through art - such as painting, writing or acting. Others admire your ability to turn a negative situation into a positive one.
Pitfalls: because you can get so wrapped up in your own emotions, you may come across as self-absorbed and moody. If you can't find a way to express yourself, or you fear you want be accepted by others, you tend to feel angry and hopeless.
TIP FOR HAPPINESS : while it is important to be aware of your emotions and impulses, you need to be careful that they don't control your life. Work on becoming less self-conscious by using your natural sensitivity to focus on others. The key for you is to stop imagining life and start living it.
5. The thinker
If you are a thinker, you are independent and intelligent and value learning and knowledge.
Pluses : curious and insightful, you spend a lot of time alone, studying, thinking and coming up with valuable original ideas. You are very perceptive and are often able to predict how things will turn out before they occur.
Pitfalls : because the life of the mind is so important to you, you can become a bit of a recluse, losing touch with the outside world. You have a tendency to think you are smarter than everyone else. You may come across as a weird or nerdy.
TIP FOR HAPPINESS : if you work on becoming more compassionate and tolerant, you will find you will have loads more fun. And by sharing your knowledge with others - without looking down on them - you will feel more secure and involved in the real world.
6. The loyalist
If you are a loyalist, you are lovable and friendly and value trust and relationships.
Pluses : responsible and hard working, you are very committed to others, and people find you warm and endearing. Your positive attitude makes you a strong leader. Courageous and creative, you are willing to fight hard for what you believe in.
Pitfalls : you can become anxious and insecure if you don't sense that you have the approval of others. When you feel rejected, you may get depressed or act like a Rebel, pretending you don't care when you really do. Others can be confused by your wishy-washy ways.
Tip for happiness : it won't be easy, but you are going to have to give up that fairy tale notion of being rescued from your problems by a knight in shining armour. Others get pleasure from doing and caring for you, but they can't give you what you need most - a healthy dose of self esteem. Look for ways to believe in yourself. Start saying what you mean. Stick up for yourself. The security you Crave can only come from believing in your own abilities and self-worth.
7. The dreamer
If you are a dreamer, you are enthusiastic and multi-talented and value experience.
Pluses : you are outgoing and friendly, a blast to hang out with. There is never a dull moment when you are around. You tend to make the most of everything life offers, which is why you are so good at so many things.
Pitfalls : you can get so wrapped up that you never Discover your true potential. You don't always think before you act, which can get you in trouble. If you don't get your way, you may fly off the handle or throw it temper tantrum. You tend to be a bit materialistic.
TIP FOR HAPPINESS : finding happiness isn't a big hassel for you, since you do seem to enjoy life to the fullest. However, that zest for fun can become a problem if you don't figure out ways to control going overboard. Moderation may be a keyword for you. To avoid appearing shallow, try pending sometime alone to cultivate a rich inner life.
8. The leader :
If you are a leader you are assertive and persuasive and value power.
Pluses : strong and self confident, you know how to stand up for yourself and usually get whatever you go after. Others turn to you for decisions and direction. You are remarkably courages and capable of great achievements. You can be very protective of those you care about.
Pitfalls : at times, you can be self entered and pushy, making enemies of those who dare to get in your way. In fact, at times, you can be hard-hearted and take advantage of other people. Your goals can become so important that you are willing to get ahead at any cost.
TIP FOR HAPPINESS : use your incredible strength to help others by recognising their rights and feelings. You have the potential to climb the ladder of success All The Way to the top - as long as you don't get so caught up on your love of power that you feel to discover the power of love. Remember, you don't have to run over people in order to command their respect. Show them respect, and you will be vastly rewarded.
9. The peacemaker
If you are a peace maker, and gentle and value harmony.
Pluses : Calm and reassusing, you are a genuinely nice person who is at ease with the world. You have wonderful warmth and love and are very kind and tolerant of others' views. You don't put on act or try to be someone you are not. You make other feel loved and supported.
Pitfalls : you are so sweet and easy going that you may go along with others too much. By refusing to deal with problems that arise, you can come across as wimpy and passive. Your fear of change may keep you from seing things realistically and taking responsibility for yourself.
TIP FOR HAPPINESS : it is tempting just to "let it be", but if you really want to make the most of yourself, take control of your life. Get rid of those rose-coloured glasses, and try seeing reality- with all its flaws. Stand up for yourself. Try expressing your feelings and opinions more openly. Such honesty will shock your system at first, but if you keep it up, it will get easier, and you will come to know what true peace is all about.
1. The perfectionist
If you are a perfectionist, you value truth and Justice and seek perfection in all things.
Pluses : you are organised and ambitious, with a clear sense of right and wrong. You like to make improvements wherever you can. Others are impressed by your high energy and dedication to worthwhile causes. Considerate and fare, you come to the rescue of those who are being mistreated.
Pitfalls : worried about making mistakes, you are sometimes scene as a control freak who can't seem to go with the flow. You tend to take on too much responsibility, then get resentful because no one cares as much as you. You can be too hard on yourself.
TIP FOR HAPPINESS : work on learning to accept life - with all its quirks and imperfections. Remember: it is not up to you alone to save the world. So ease up on the high expectations, and try to go with the flow a little more. You will find that, when you losen up and don't get so hung up on avoiding mistakes, you actually get more done and have more fun.
2. THE HELPER
If you are a helper, you are generous and caring and value love above all else.
Pluses: compassionate and warm hearted, you have a special way of making others to feel loved and appreciated. People may refer to you as a "saint" because you are always doing for others. You give great hugs, and your smile can absolutely belt hearts.
Pitfalls : you have a tendency to take on too much and then wind up feeling mad and put upon. If you don't sense that your good deeds are appreciated, you may say flippant things to other people to get back at them. You can sometimes be too nice for your own good.
TIP FOR HAPPINESS : try not to place so much importance on getting approval from others. When you do something nice for someone, make sure it is from the goodness of your heart- not an attempt to win the person over. Work on being direct, and telling others what you want from them rather than trying to make them feel guilty. Remember: you don't have to prove your work to be loved.
3. The achiever
If you are an achiever, you are confident and ambitious and values success and admiration.
Pluses : you are energetic, charming and popular. You have got tons of enthusiasm and a real flair for communicating and motivating others. Because people want to be like you, you can be very powerful and influential.
Pitfalls : you can get so caught up with projecting the right image that you lose side of who you really are. If you feel your position is threatened in some way, you can become fiercely competitive and self-centred. You may have trouble accepting your limitations, which can make you come across as fake and stuck-up.
TIP FOR HAPPINESS : you have got a lot going for you, and if you can make the most of your strengths without pushing yourself beyond your limits - you can be truly successful and happy. Work on developing a true sense of who you are, not who you would like to be. By truly committing yourself to others, you can become more honest and accepting.
4. The individualist
If you are an individualist, you are artistic and imaginative and value self-expression.
Pluses : you have a strong drive to understand yourself - your emotions, dreams and purpose in life. Compassionate and intuitive, you enjoy revealing your feelings through art - such as painting, writing or acting. Others admire your ability to turn a negative situation into a positive one.
Pitfalls: because you can get so wrapped up in your own emotions, you may come across as self-absorbed and moody. If you can't find a way to express yourself, or you fear you want be accepted by others, you tend to feel angry and hopeless.
TIP FOR HAPPINESS : while it is important to be aware of your emotions and impulses, you need to be careful that they don't control your life. Work on becoming less self-conscious by using your natural sensitivity to focus on others. The key for you is to stop imagining life and start living it.
5. The thinker
If you are a thinker, you are independent and intelligent and value learning and knowledge.
Pluses : curious and insightful, you spend a lot of time alone, studying, thinking and coming up with valuable original ideas. You are very perceptive and are often able to predict how things will turn out before they occur.
Pitfalls : because the life of the mind is so important to you, you can become a bit of a recluse, losing touch with the outside world. You have a tendency to think you are smarter than everyone else. You may come across as a weird or nerdy.
TIP FOR HAPPINESS : if you work on becoming more compassionate and tolerant, you will find you will have loads more fun. And by sharing your knowledge with others - without looking down on them - you will feel more secure and involved in the real world.
6. The loyalist
If you are a loyalist, you are lovable and friendly and value trust and relationships.
Pluses : responsible and hard working, you are very committed to others, and people find you warm and endearing. Your positive attitude makes you a strong leader. Courageous and creative, you are willing to fight hard for what you believe in.
Pitfalls : you can become anxious and insecure if you don't sense that you have the approval of others. When you feel rejected, you may get depressed or act like a Rebel, pretending you don't care when you really do. Others can be confused by your wishy-washy ways.
Tip for happiness : it won't be easy, but you are going to have to give up that fairy tale notion of being rescued from your problems by a knight in shining armour. Others get pleasure from doing and caring for you, but they can't give you what you need most - a healthy dose of self esteem. Look for ways to believe in yourself. Start saying what you mean. Stick up for yourself. The security you Crave can only come from believing in your own abilities and self-worth.
7. The dreamer
If you are a dreamer, you are enthusiastic and multi-talented and value experience.
Pluses : you are outgoing and friendly, a blast to hang out with. There is never a dull moment when you are around. You tend to make the most of everything life offers, which is why you are so good at so many things.
Pitfalls : you can get so wrapped up that you never Discover your true potential. You don't always think before you act, which can get you in trouble. If you don't get your way, you may fly off the handle or throw it temper tantrum. You tend to be a bit materialistic.
TIP FOR HAPPINESS : finding happiness isn't a big hassel for you, since you do seem to enjoy life to the fullest. However, that zest for fun can become a problem if you don't figure out ways to control going overboard. Moderation may be a keyword for you. To avoid appearing shallow, try pending sometime alone to cultivate a rich inner life.
8. The leader :
If you are a leader you are assertive and persuasive and value power.
Pluses : strong and self confident, you know how to stand up for yourself and usually get whatever you go after. Others turn to you for decisions and direction. You are remarkably courages and capable of great achievements. You can be very protective of those you care about.
Pitfalls : at times, you can be self entered and pushy, making enemies of those who dare to get in your way. In fact, at times, you can be hard-hearted and take advantage of other people. Your goals can become so important that you are willing to get ahead at any cost.
TIP FOR HAPPINESS : use your incredible strength to help others by recognising their rights and feelings. You have the potential to climb the ladder of success All The Way to the top - as long as you don't get so caught up on your love of power that you feel to discover the power of love. Remember, you don't have to run over people in order to command their respect. Show them respect, and you will be vastly rewarded.
9. The peacemaker
If you are a peace maker, and gentle and value harmony.
Pluses : Calm and reassusing, you are a genuinely nice person who is at ease with the world. You have wonderful warmth and love and are very kind and tolerant of others' views. You don't put on act or try to be someone you are not. You make other feel loved and supported.
Pitfalls : you are so sweet and easy going that you may go along with others too much. By refusing to deal with problems that arise, you can come across as wimpy and passive. Your fear of change may keep you from seing things realistically and taking responsibility for yourself.
TIP FOR HAPPINESS : it is tempting just to "let it be", but if you really want to make the most of yourself, take control of your life. Get rid of those rose-coloured glasses, and try seeing reality- with all its flaws. Stand up for yourself. Try expressing your feelings and opinions more openly. Such honesty will shock your system at first, but if you keep it up, it will get easier, and you will come to know what true peace is all about.