Enneagram Type 7: The Enthusiast
What to Know about Enneagram Type Seven
Enneagram Type 7 is nicknamed “The Enthusiast” for their upbeat attitude. If you’re looking to go on an adventure, it would be good to bring a Type 7 along because they are always up for a good time.
Type Sevens don’t like feeling limited in their choices. They like having multiple possibilities, and they need to have fun and pleasurable experiences.
However, it can be challenging for Sevens to concentrate on one thing at a time, meaning they jump from project to project without finishing what they started.
Below you will find an overview of what motivates the Enneagram Type 7 and things they can work on to improve their daily living.
Enneagram Type 7’s Focus of Attention
→ Pleasure and Fun
Type Sevens always concentrate on positive things to think about, do, and experience. Sevens are unconsciously always looking on the bright side to move away from painful or difficult feelings such as fear, boredom, or discomfort.
→ Always Looking at the Positive
Type Sevens can take any situation and pick out the positive side of it. They’re good to have around in tough situations because they help people look on the bright side. However, they can be in denial about the severity of any problem when it arises.
→ Avoiding Limitation
Type Sevens like to have a variety of options. They don’t like feeling limited or impeded. Sevens want to keep their options open even if they’re in the middle of a task or project. They often don’t finish what they started because their mind is always on to the next fun thing.
Type 7’s Passion: Gluttony
The passion (or vice) of Enneagram Type 7 is GLUTTONY. (Learn about the Enneagram Type Passions here.)
This doesn't necessarily mean GLUTTONY for food (though they can have that too). It's GLUTTONY of having unlimited options and not feeling limited by anyone or anything.
Sevens don't just want multiple options; they need them. This desire for numerous options is because Type Sevens fear being trapped by unpleasant feelings or situations. They think that if they experience pain, they will never come out of it. This is why they always focus on the positive.
Type Sevens are master multi-taskers who have problems sticking with one project at a time. Their passion of GLUTTONY causes them to jump from one thing to the next, even if they haven't finished what they started.
They might say, "Why waste time on one thing when there are so many possibilities in this world to explore?"
Type 7’s Strengths and Struggles
Strengths
Optimistic
Enthusiastic
Adventorous
Creative
Always full of ideas making them great innovators
Struggles
Jump from one project to the next without finishing what they’ve started
Ignore negative data; they only want to see the positive
Hard for them to have difficult discussions
Tendency to be self-referencing
Things for Enneagram Type 7 to Work On
📍 Learn how to focus on one thing at a time. Practice staying in the present moment without letting your mind wander on to the next thing you want to do.
📍 Embrace challenging situations and stay with your unpleasant emotions. You may be surprised by how talking about these unpleasant things will help give you relief from them.
📍 Notice when you’re self-referencing in conversation and bring the focus to the other person.
📍 Learn to say “no” to every single option presented to you. Be more choosy in what you say “yes” to.
If Someone You Love is a Type 7
❣️ Keep in mind that it’s hard for Type Sevens to have hard conversations. If something isn’t working in your relationship, bring up the subject with them gently and with space for them to process what you’re saying.
❣️ Your Seven will always want to make sure you’re having a good time in whatever you’re doing together, which can sometimes feel suffocating. Let them know you’re true thoughts whether you’re having a good time or not, instead of just saying yes or no - they might keep asking otherwise.
❣️ Know that your Seven is more sensitive than they let on, especially regarding criticism. Make sure to include positive feedback with negative.
“From pain can come wisdom, from fear can come courage, from suffering can come strength - if we have the virtue of resilience.”