Introducing the Ennea Type Three: The Achiever's Journey towards Health and Wellbeing

 Scott Mills, Ph.D.

    Threes are the task masters of the world.   Give them a job and they will complete it with a singleminded focus.   They are people for whom the Nike slogan, "Just do it!" comes second nature.  They are often referred to as the Achievers.

    You might be a Three if most of the following statements describe you:

1. You are always busy.  

2. You would rather be at work than anywhere else. 

3. You are not particularly interested in talking about your personal life.  

4. People respecting you is very important.  

5. You like to stand out in some way.  

6. You can easily adapt to different roles in life.  

7. You tend to compare yourself to your friends and colleagues.  

8. If you can't be the best at something, you don't try.

    Threes are our master planners, project managers and follow through to accomplishing whatever goal is put in front of them.  If the Ones make the trains run on time, Threes make sure that the tracks are laid in the right place.

    The motto of the performance driven Three is "be the best."  Threes learned early on that their achievements were what were really valued.  For some this came through an excessive focus on grades and for others on achieving in sports.  For the most part, this achievement was dictated by someone else.  And in the process, they learned that the only goal worth pursuing was being number 1.  If they can't, they often believe it's not worth trying.

    Because people see their achievements first and foremost, Threes can often feel disconnected.  It can seem to them that they are quite lonely and it can be difficult for them to understand how their actions affect other people.    And even when they are achieving it never quite seems to be enough.  They are only as good as their last success.

    When Threes let go of other people's notions of success and start following their hearts, that's when they come fully alive.  They experience a passion for their projects that is inspiring and in their pursuit of becoming better people they lead the way for those around them to do the same.   They become inner directed and self-accepting, a joy to be around!

This is a part of a series on supporting health in wellness in people using the Enneagram as a tool.  Please keep reading at www.mindbodyexperience.com for more information and tools for transformation.