Enneagram Type 1s go by the nicknames “The Improver” or “The Perfectionist.” They are hard-working and responsible, always wanting to do the right thing.
Ones have a harsh inner critic and are very hard on themselves. They have a hard time relaxing and having fun when there are more important things that need to be done. They often harbor resentment for those they feel aren’t working as hard as they (Ones) are.
Below you will find an overview of what motivates the Enneagram Type 1 and things they can work on to improve their daily living.
Enneagram Type 1’s Focus of Attention
On What is Right and Wrong
Being a Good Person
Improving Themselves and/or Others
Ones have a harsh inner critic that’s always finding faults in what they do. They, therefore, feel like they have to improve themselves to make things better.
Type Ones may get annoyed when they see others not working as hard as them and may try to improve them. They react by harboring resentment. Though unconsciously, Type Ones may want to be doing what the person is doing.
Type 1’s Passion: Anger
The passion (or vice) of Enneagram Type 1 is anger. (Learn about the Enneagram Type Passions here.)
We all experience anger in some capacity, but for Ones, anger is ever present whether they realize it or not.
As children, Ones felt criticized and internalized it as “it’s not okay to be angry.” Their anger is often suppressed and can manifest as passive-aggressive behavior or irritation.
They bury their anger because anger is “bad,” and their priority is on being “good.”
Type Ones unconsciously avoid feeling their anger, which comes out in other ways like annoyance, criticism, and self-righteousness.
Because they try not to be in touch with their anger, they can hold it inside their body to the point where it causes them to be overly tense and implode on the inside.
Their quest to be “good” all the time may lead to unintentional emotional and/or physical burnout.
Type 1’s Strengths and Struggles
Strengths
Struggles
- Hardworking
- Responsible and Reliable
- Trustworthy
- Has a high integrity
- Know what they want
- Committed
- Improvers
- Unaware of their anger or in conflict with it
- They can be overly serious and not give themselves a break to loosen up and have fun
- They have a strong inner critic
- Their black-and-white thinking makes it hard for them to see other “right” ways
- Can be overly critical of themselves, others, or both
Things for Enneagram Type 1 to Work On
> Allow yourself to experience joy in the moment. It’s okay to relax and not be so serious all the time. Life is full of joy. Let yourself experience it.
If Someone You Love is a Type 1
- Try to help your One take in positive feedback instead of focusing on the negative all the time. The One’s harsh inner critic may make it hard for them to see the positive on their own.
- Don’t be indirect with a Type One. Try to be more consistent and trustworthy. Ones want objectivity and logic when working things out and can resist overly emotional people.
- Try to help the One have more fun and relax. Suggest doing a fun activity together once in a while and schedule it on the calendar. Even if it’s scheduled fun, it can still be fun.
At the core of all anger is a need that is not being fulfilled.
0 Comments