I like everything a certain way, and I like things done my way! You could call me a recovering perfectionist!  I like to organize. I’m both energized by people, and yet need solitude as well.

According to my enneagram type, I’m afraid of being wrong or bad. I desire to have integrity, to be right, virtuous, and the “good girl” (which can deteriorate into critical perfectionism). I’m accurate, thorough, diligent, responsible, moral, just, in control, and fair.

A core weakness is resentment (anger that has been repressed) that can lead to continual frustration and dissatisfaction with myself and others. So, this is the Enneagram type 1 in a nutshell – a Moral Perfectionist!

I’ve always loved personality type tests – there is something intriguing about finding out how we are wired, and that others may be wired similarly, or maybe completely differently. When husbands and wives take the same test, it helps them understand each other better. When co-workers take the test, it helps teams unify because they can understand each other’s similarities and differences. The enneagram test is the most recent one I’ve taken. Enneagram means a nine-sided figure used in a particular system of analysis to represent the spectrum of possible personality types.

My husband took the Enneagram Test, and although we are both first borns and share a lot of similarities in that realm, he was not the same Enneagram number as me. He is a 9 – a Peaceful Mediator. Core fears of that number are being in conflict or discord. Type 9’s desire to have inner stability and peace of mind (which can deteriorate into stubborn neglectfulness). 9’s are good listeners, kind, agreeable, quiet, patient, calm, steady and enduring. Wow, that defines Jamie to a tee. He is a steady rock! When our children took the test, they all had different numbers as well! What a helpful tool to help me get a glimpse into why they are the way they are! In the same family, we are all so unique and are driven by different core fears, desires and longings.

Have you taken the Enneagram test? There is a simple online version here. After you take the test, you can print out some helpful information about your type. Knowing this information helps me to know myself better – including both strengths and weaknesses. I can then search the scriptures and pray the Holy Spirit will help me use the gifts He’s given me to bring glory to His name and to grow my weaknesses into strengths. HIs mercy is new every morning and every day I can become more like him!

If you take the test, share your enneagram number in the comments and let me know if you think it describes you!