Have you ever caught yourself wondering “why did I do that?” or “why did I think this was a good way to handle this?” or “why do I insist on learning lessons the hard way?” or “why did my brain approve that plan?”
But really, Have you ever wondered why you think, feel, and act the way you do? What drives your decisions, shapes your relationships, and influences your biggest fears and desires?
That’s where the Enneagram comes in and we want to introduce you to this incredible tool that has taught us so much about ourselves and helped us navigate the relationships in our life.
The Enneagram gets lumped into “just another personality test” -
BUT, we like to define it as a powerful tool for self-awareness and transformation. At its core, the Enneagram reveals nine different personality types, each with a unique core motivation—a deep, often unconscious driving force behind how we see and respond to the world.
Our Enneagram Type uncovers our motivation - it reveals why we do what we do!
When you understand your Core Motivations, you can
↪️ Break free from patterns that keep you stuck
↪️ Make choices that align with your true values
↪️ Build stronger, more authentic relationships
↪️ Grow into the healthiest version of yourself
When you uncover the “why” behind your thoughts and behaviors, you can start making intentional shifts—ones that lead to greater clarity, purpose, and freedom.
Over the next few emails, we’ll look at the four Core Motivations of each type and explore how the Enneagram can transform the way you live, love, and lead.
Core Fears | What You Avoid at All Costs
This is the underlying fear driving many of your decisions and reactions. It’s what you instinctively work to avoid, often without even realizing it.
Core Longing | What You’re Heart Needs to Hear
This is the deep, affirming truth your heart longs for but often struggles to believe. It’s a message that, when embraced, brings healing and growth.
Core Desires | What You’re Striving For and Always Chasing
This is the positive goal or outcome you deeply long for. It often feels like the key to happiness and fulfillment in life.
Core Weakness | What You Wrestle With
Also known as the “passion” or “vice,” this is the emotional struggle or blind spot that frequently trips you up. It’s the default reaction you fall into under stress.
These pieces of the Enneagram can transform the way you live, love, and lead. Understanding your Core Motivations helps you break free from unhealthy cycles, make choices that align with your true self, and grow into a healthier, more fulfilled version of who you were designed to be.
Ephesians 2:10 – “For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.” (ESV)
We are all uniquely created and each of us have a different purpose - there is so much delight in discovering this and living it out. We’d be honored to sit with you and guide you in uncovering ways you can live out your purpose; it’s one of the best parts of being a coach.
If you aren’t sure of your Enneagram type, one way to narrow it down is to move through each of the motivation descriptions with curiosity and take note of which resonate with you. By the time we get to the end of the Core Motivation series, there might be a theme of a few types that stand out - these might be an indication of your type.
Get ready to dive deep into the power of why—and discover what’s been shaping your story all along.
We can’t wait to take this journey with you!
Katie and Kristan