What is your go-to coping strategy when you are dealing with all that life throws at you?
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Today we are exploring the unconscious coping strategy of each of the Enneagram types. The Enneagram teaches that you adopt a specific pattern of behavior that is in response to a core belief and fear. These actions are always taken to avoid a feeling you don’t want to have or to pursue a feeling you are craving. And most of the time this happens outside of your conscious awareness.⁣
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Are there things you are unconsciously avoiding that might be the ticket to getting what you want? Are there things you are naturally drawn to that might limit the other choices available to you?⁣
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Bringing awareness to the strategy of your type may help you better see your patterns and open up some new options for you. This is especially important as an entrepreneur because you need to stay agile and aware of your blind spots.⁣

Enneagram 8

Strategy: Imposing my will

I see myself as strong, direct, in control, and decisive.

👎 Avoid

• Weakness

• Uncertainty

• Being dependent

• Losing the good opinion of people I respect

• Ending up totally vulnerable and powerless

👍 Pursue

• Control and dominance of my space

• Taking action and facing conflict

• Protecting the weak and innocent

• Gaining respect by being strong and just

Enneagram 9

Strategy: Maintaining harmony

I see myself as peaceful, easy-going, and low maintenance.

👎 Avoid

• Conflict

• Confrontation

• Feeling uncomfortable

• Too many competing demands on my attention and energy

👍 Pursue

• Being sensitive to others

• Trying to please

• Keeping life comfortable and familiar

• Making life predictable

• Containing anger

Enneagram 1

Strategy: Being on a mission

I see myself as reasonable, objective, and responsible.

👎 Avoid

• Making mistakes

• Losing self-control

• Violating social norms

• Being criticized

👍 Pursue

• Getting things right

• Issues about integrity

• Maintaining standards

• Being responsible and self-reliant

• Suppressing personal needs and natural desires

Enneagram 2

Strategy: Attention on others

I see myself as loving, caring, and selfless.

👎 Avoid

• Disappointing others

• Being seen as selfish

• Feeling unappreciated

• Being useless and dispensable

• Rejection

👍 Pursue

• Sensing the needs of others and pleasing them

• Feeling good about being able to meet needs

• Maintaining acceptance

• Romantic attachment

Enneagram 3

Strategy: Adapt and produce

I see myself as accomplished, goal-oriented, and having unlimited potential.

👎 Avoid

• Failing to achieve my goals

• Being overshadowed by others

• Experiencing uncomfortable feelings

👍 Pursue

• Getting things done quickly and efficiently

• Staying active and busy

• Achieving recognition

• Adjusting to what is required for success

Enneagram 4

Strategy: Emotional intensity

I see myself as unique, intuitive, and sensitive.

👎 Avoid

• Being rejected or abandoned

• The ordinary or mundane

• Feeling there is something wrong with me

• Insignificance

👍 Pursue

• Intense feelings about what is missing

• Finding love, meaning, and fulfillment through self-expression and deep connection

• Endeavoring to be unique

Enneagram 5

Strategy: Mental intensity

I see myself as smart, perceptive, and observant.

👎 Avoid

• Strong feelings

• Intrusive or demanding circumstances

• Feelings of inadequacy and emptiness

👍 Pursue

• Retracting in order to observe

• Mastering a subject

• Thinking and analyzing in advance

• Dampening feelings

• Conserving energy

• Maintaining sufficient privacy and limits

Enneagram 6

Strategy: Searching for trust

I see myself as responsible, reliable, and vigilant.

👎 Avoid

• Being helpless or not in control in the face of danger

• Getting stuck in doubt and contrary thinking

• Alienating people I depend on

👍 Pursue

• Doubting, testing, and looking for double messages

• Figuring things out through logical analysis

• Showing strength

• Gaining security by obtaining the goodwill of others

Enneagram 7

Strategy: Don't miss out!

I see myself as free, fun-loving, and spontaneous.

👎 Avoid

• Frustrations

• Constraints and limitations

• Painful feelings

• Boredom

• Feeling trapped in suffering and pain

👍 Pursue

• Enjoying and experiencing life to its fullest

• Keeping options open and life upbeat

• Using my imagination

• Being liked by being charming and disarming

Note: If you want to learn more about what this looks like for your type, check out Roxanne Howe-Murphy’s book “Deep Living: Transforming Your Relationship to Everything That Matters Through the Enneagram”⁣

For more information on the Enneagram system, check out my Enneagram 101 page here.

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