As we embark on any change or transformative effort, we may notice a natural series of “ebbs and flows.” These occurrences either make us feel connected or disconnected from ourselves as we transition from our current state to our desired state of being.
This journey from point A to point B can be exciting yet uncomfortable, especially when fear, doubt, or concern arise around timing or a specific outcome. As a result, you may start pushing to make things happen or begin pulling away, returning to what’s familiar, or avoiding particular individuals, situations, or circumstances.
Being “attached” or “over-identified” with your personality type.
A core aspect of knowing your Enneagram or MBTI® types is understanding what happens when you’re under stress and “in the grip” of your type. Often your survival mechanisms will kick-in automatically when experiencing some sort of anxiety, tension, or dread.
For example, as an Enneagram self-preservation type two, I can easily down-shift into people-pleasing mode, losing contact with what I need or what matters most to me. And as an INFJ, I can jump into over-sensing mode, resorting to overdoing and distracting myself with meaningless frenzied activity.
Integrating all aspects of yourself.
By turning inward, you can recalibrate when you’re out of alignment. This type of “inner work” allows you to recognize what your emotions, thoughts, and bodily sensations are telling you so you can understand the “why behind” what you’re doing and uncover patterns or limiting beliefs holding you back.
Another element you can learn about when completing the iEQ9 Enneagram assessment is your “Level of Integration.” This measurement provides insight into how you perceive your blind spots and currently handle your fixations, triggers, and automatic defenses.
The Enneagram detailed report also includes strategies to help you shift from a “trapped relationship” with your personality type to a more aware and balanced approach. Through practice, you can become more conscious of what’s driving your behavior and rise above the issues that are keeping you stuck, by adopting new methods to propel you forward and support your well-being.
Experimenting with turning inward.
To help guide you, here are a few tips to navigate through the “push and pull” of change:
Embrace the transformation process.
Changing a habit takes about 2.5 years, so treat yourself with kindness and compassion. Instead of focusing on the end state, try to enjoy the journey and observe all that is surfacing without judgment in terms of your thinking, feeling, and action centers. You can ask yourself questions like:
- What is triggering me?
- What seems off?
- How do I want to feel?
- How will I show up?
With newfound awareness, you can loosen your attachment to instinctual traits that may no longer be needed and concentrate on small actions to take on a regular basis to continue to move forward.
Accepting all parts of yourself.
When we lost sight of who we are and our purpose, discomfort arises. This uneasiness is a reminder to slow down and allow whatever it is—ruminating thoughts, nervous energy, various emotions—to flow in and out of you instead of taking a hold over you. Pausing and taking a break from what you’re doing enables your breathing and heart rate to settle. From there, you can choose how best to respond from a state of calm and balance.
Connect with yourself more fully.
Whether this means sitting still, concentrating on your breathing, meditating, journaling, or taking a walk, when you balance your heart, mind, and body and listen to all of its knowledge, you can raise your vibrational energy to an expansive space where the possibilities are endless. Providing yourself with these precious moments can be transformative to you and those around you.
Relating more effectively.
It’s easy to lose your balance when under pressure, especially when there is limited time or the stakes are high. Being in harmony with yourself entails honoring and expressing all emotions—positive and negative—and acknowledging the paradoxes of life. When you’re grounded and centered, you can show up and communicate with others from an authentic place, inviting them to do the same.
Harness your YOU-ness and activate your best.
Self-leadership is about getting to know yourself better and applying that insight to how you act, think, and feel. You can use these various assessments as the foundation for professional development and transformation. If you’re interested in becoming more mindful and purposeful at work, home, or play, please schedule a call to discuss my personalized and customized approach.