🚀The book in three sentences

We all have subconscious drivers which control our behaviour and reaction to situations, many of which come from our childhood. This book unpacks the Enneagram, which is a map of the human personality. It explores the 9 different personality types that characterise all humans by looking at what drives us, how we relate to others, what our deadly sins are and how we can become more complete by recognising the path to our own personal journey to self awareness and self improvement. 

🎨Impressions 

I have done many personality tests but this is by far and away the most insightful, helpful and transformative way to see the world and the humans that live in it. The book has a chapter devoted to each personality type. Both my wife and myself felt like someone was holding a mirror up to our souls and reading our minds when it came to reading our own personality type. If it was helpful in recognising what subconscious drivers we have ourselves, it was invaluable to understand what goes on in somebody else’s head when facing a situation. Knowing that someone else will react differently to yourself in any given situation is one thing but understanding why they react differently gives you an ability to empathise and tailor your own behaviour to get the best out of any relationship.

How I discovered it

My wife had this book recommended to her by a friend, who also recommended that I should read it as it had the ability to transform the way we see one another and help us see our relationship in a completely new light. 

Who should read it?

Everyone. Understanding more about how different people react in different situations, including how we personally react to things, is transforming. 

☘️ How the book has changed me

Any time my wife reacts win a particular way, I can understand the reasons behind the reaction and I’m infinitely more able to modify my own behaviour to help her, myself and our relationship. I’m much more able to interact with others in a more caring and compassionate way. 

✍️ My Top 3 Quotes

To know oneself is, above all, to know what one lacks. It is to measure oneself against Truth, and not the other way around. The first product of self-knowledge is humility.

With greater self awareness, you can help ensure that your typical behaviour land more on the healthy side and don’t sabotage your interactions with the people you love the most. 

As a rule, Ones have a merciless inner critic; unlike ours, it never goes away. It’s punishing. It’s relentless.