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Enneagram Type 3: The Achiever
Are you the type of person who loves to be praised for your work? Always striving to succeed and reach their goals? Do you pride yourself on your achievements? If so, then it’s likely that you fall under the Enneagram Type 3: The Achiever. Let’s first check out my formerly covered comprehensive guide on Enneagram to get a fundamental idea of the topic.
Read on to learn more about this unique personality type. How its traits shape an individual’s life choices and decisions. As well as what implications these tendencies have for relationships with others.
You will receive insights on
1. How does the Enneagram figure explain type 3
2. Who are Enneagram type 3
3. If you are an Enneagram type 3
4. Enneagram type 3 wing
5. Enneagram type 3 level of development
6. How to identify your Enneagram type
Let’s get started!
How does the Enneagram figure explain type 3?
The Enneagram figure is a nine-pointed symbol that is used to understand the psychological and emotional makeup of people. Type 3 on the figure, also known as the Achiever, reflects an individual who is success-oriented and highly motivated by personal achievement.
They are confident and supportive, driven to succeed in their work and relationships. People belonging to this type prefer to be in charge and be respected for their leadership skills. Type 3s enjoy being admired for their accomplishments and strive to better themselves through hard work.
The Achiever is characterized by ambition, goal orientation, and eagerness to show their best self to the world. They strive for success and often find motivation from an external acknowledgment of their accomplishments.
These individuals are self-assured and are rarely afraid to take risks or be courageous to reach their goals. Type 3s aim for excellence, but can sometimes become too focused on results and overlook the importance of relationships or processes needed to get there.
Who are Enneagram type 3
Enneagram type 3, also known as “The Achiever,” is the most ambitious and success-oriented of all the Enneagram types. People with this type are focused on achievement and efficiency. They strive for excellence and always seek recognition from those around them.
These individuals typically have strong organizational skills and a vision for progress. They often take on leadership roles and enjoy being in the spotlight.
Enneagram type 3 have an extroverted personality style, they are confident and competitive when around others.
They have a knack for seeing potential opportunities and seizing them quickly to gain success faster. They have an adaptable approach to life and tend to look toward the future rather than dwell on the past.
Type 3s value their image and use charisma to get what they want while avoiding difficult emotions. They respond well to feedback that is not judgmental and enjoy achieving tangible results such as awards or promotions.
You’re probably Enneagram Type 3 if…
If you find yourself to be highly ambitious, results-oriented, and successful at accomplishments, you may be an Enneagram type 3. Those with this personality have an exceptionally strong drive for accomplishment; they focus on goal setting and have confidence in their ability to meet those goals.
They enjoy working hard as it allows them to show off their talents and reinforce their success-based identities. Furthermore, they often produce high-quality work and take pride in the recognition achieved by their achievements.
Below are some keen traits to help you identify if you’re an Enneagram type 3.
Industrious
You might be an Enneagram type 3 if you possess an industrious, accomplished, and effective demeanor. Always striving to be the best at what you do! Type 3 individuals are highly motivated by success and are often goal-oriented to achieve that success.
Ambitious and eager to prove themselves capable of achieving the highest level of performance in whatever they set out to do. Type 3s embodies a proactive “work hard, play hard” attitude. Consistency is key for these personalities as they aim for excellence in every endeavor.
They thrive in environments where there is a clear purpose and tangible benchmarks to measure their progress and take great pride in what they create. They are driven by a deep need to impress those around them and always strive for the best possible results.
Confident
If you’re often found exhibiting confidence and optimism in the face of any situation, odds are you could be an Enneagram type 3. They have a unique ability to direct their energy towards ambitious goals. They tend to prize their reputation and seek recognition for their accomplishments.
This penchant for ambition is usually borne out of an inner need for esteem or self-approval from both themselves and other sources. Type 3 individuals enjoy excelling in creative fields or being competitive when needed.
Type 3s strive to be the best in everything they do and strive to excel at all costs. You’re probably type 3 if your goals include success in both your professional and personal resumés and if you feel a great source of pride when achieving something noteworthy.
Narcissistic
Those who are Enneagram type 3s may come across as needing recognition and narcissism. They may show this need for validation by engaging in superficial behaviors that give them short-term benefits. These short-term gains can be reflected in their desire to be attractive, ambitious, and successful.
Type 3s tend to hold themselves to impossibly high standards, yet have an inner belief that they will achieve these goals despite facing a challenge. However, because they crave admiration from those around them so strongly, it’s easy for them to convince themselves they have a false sense of security in their identity.
Type 3s tend to appear put together and project a robust image of perfection and accomplishment. This can also lead to some misunderstanding about their motivations. To others, it may look like showing off, but for true type 3s, this behavior is to seek validation from outside sources.
Impatient
People with an Enneagram type 3 personality could relate feelings of impatience as they are characterized by their need to excel and be admired. Endeavoring to reach their goals quickly and frustrated when things do not go as planned, they tend to want immediate gratification.
As such, type 3 individuals are driven towards productivity and know what they want before anyone else does. However, all of this striving can leave them feeling quite strained if not managed properly.
Additionally, even in completing small chores, regardless of how simple they are, 3 often looks for more efficient and fast ways to tackle them. Type 3’s needs to recognize the value of taking time for tasks.
Enneagram type 3 wings
Type 3 falls under the feeling triad and has Two (2) and Four (4) as its wing options.
Individuals with a 3w2 wing combination may be effusive, amiable, and extraverted in social interactions but also struggle with feelings of inadequacy or insecurity rather than doubling down on their achievements. The influence of 3w2 results in an energetic conduct-oriented kind of person who values generosity and service over recognition.
Those with a 3w4 wing may express additional attributes such as creative expression and ideas, an inwardly-focused outlook on life, as well as an insatiable desire for authenticity in themselves and others. They often seek deeper meanings behind their actions.
Knowing which set of wings one belongs to can provide further clarity on how the Enneagram is expressed in their personality. Also by exploring these wings of type 3, individuals can gain valuable self-awareness and insight into how they function in relationships with others.
Enneagram type 3 levels of Development
As Enneagram type 3 progresses through development, type 3s can move through three different levels – Healthy, Average, and Unhealthy – with each having its characteristics.
At their Healthiest level, 3s are confident in their abilities and nurture their internal lives more than before; at their Average level they strive for recognition from external sources; and at their Unhealthy level, they become overly competitive, lose empathy for others, nitpick themselves and others, and become emotionally unstable. Truly understanding one’s self is critical on the path toward greater awareness of our inner world!
Healthy
In healthy development, these Type 3s strive for excellence, using their highly developed social skills and determination to create tangible successes. Type 3s are confident in their abilities and nurture their internal lives more than before. Not only do they make impressive strides toward their goals, but learn to accept compliments and gratitude wholeheartedly.
Healthy Type 3s also embrace failure with poise, taking it as a learning opportunity to tweak strategies and keep striving with enthusiasm. They become adept at recognizing personal needs and consciously working with them instead of against them. This self-awareness gives them invaluable insight into themselves that guides further growth opportunities.
A healthy type 3 value success and reputation through hard work, ambition, and productivity while understanding that they must still maintain their integrity. This process often evolves with self-awareness and the ability to recognize how their behaviors reflect upon people around them.
Average
At this stage, type 3s may rely heavily on external validation or receive feedback that is overly critical due to their focus on performance. The process of balancing external drives with internal motives is essential for growth to maintain proper motivation. As such, developing self-reliance combined with emotional self-awareness helps type 3s move towards higher levels of development.
The average level of development for the Enneagram type 3 is recognizable by their outward success and achievements. They have a strong focus on external signs of accomplishment and appear confident and impressive in their accomplishments. However, as much attention as they pay to external status, this can give way to insecurity about how their efforts are perceived.
They strive to prove themselves and their value, placing disdain on any imperfection or shortcoming they’re perceiving. The motivations behind their actions remain driven by the need to be successful which leads to self-renewal and striving to excel in every project they take on.
Unhealthy
An unhealthy Enneagram type 3 is apt to indulge in manipulative and materialistic behavior. This level of development often results from a lack of self-reflection and an over-focus on appearing successful to external stakeholders. Unhealthy type 3s often struggle with feeling inadequate, yet mask these insecurities.
As their self-worth hinges on quantifiable achievement, they are prone to playing up on successes and trivializing failures. Unfortunately, the focus on using external measures for validation opens up the unhealthy type 3 to issues such as stress, anxiety, depression, and exhaustion.
Type 3s at an unhealthy level may become caught in desperate attempts to control how they appear to others related to any perceived missteps or lack of progress. Overall, these patterns contribute to furthering a downward spiral away from healthier habits of relating to themselves and others.
How to identify your enneagram type
To identify your Enneagram type, it is recommended to begin by familiarizing yourself with each of the nine types represented by the Enneagram. Each type has its own set of beliefs, values, motivations, strengths, weaknesses, and behaviors.
Then ask yourself which type resonates most closely with you and consider areas where you have difficulty or excel. Taking a comprehensive test can also help determine your type. With time and reflection, you can become aware of which type matches your unique personality traits, leading to a greater understanding of yourself.
Other channels for introspection can include examining how you interact with others, analyzing past experiences, or evaluating your relationships. Reflect deeply to get a good sense of which type fits you best. Once you have identified your enneagram type, further investigation into its nuances can bring even more insight into your personality.
Take a look at this video to explore more about learning your Enneagram type! You might discover yourself learning and developing in parallel with the video (pro tip: Take the Enneagram Test!).
Conclusion
Irrespective of their Enneagram category, people exhibit characteristics of all the categories. Type 3s view themselves with compassion, accepting their flaws and acknowledging places for growth. Balance in regards to Type 3 can be achieved by taking time out of their day to focus on the present moment they are living in and less on the future they desire.
Compassionate self-love will help balance out their ambitiousness. This gives them room for personal growth and even joy in the midst of striving for success.
I would appreciate it if you could share your views on whether this article caught your attention and if there are any overlooked facets. Moreover, please leave your comments on the sections where this piece excelled and any other points that you believe should have been incorporated.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What do Enneagram 3s struggle with?
Enneagram 3s type of person often struggles with the need for affirmation and can take it too far by trying too hard to impress others.
Enneagram 3s can struggle with their insecurities as they focus on the opinions people have of them. They may suffer from feelings of self-doubt if their actions are not as successful or impressive as they had hoped.
This type may suffer from feelings of isolation and loneliness due to the ambitions that make them so preoccupied with success that there is little room for personal connection.
What Enneagram is the most perfectionist?
Among these nine types, Type 1, commonly known as the Perfectionist, is regarded as the most perfectionistic. People of this type tend to be highly organized and driven. They strive to improve themselves, by succeeding in their personal goals and maintaining high standards for themselves.
They have a fear of making mistakes or not measuring up to their standards of excellence. As conscientious people, others may see them as highly responsible and giving great attention to detail.
Further Resources:
- Explore the characteristics and insights of Enneagram Type 1 personalities, known for their perfectionism and principled nature, in this in-depth guide: Enneagram Type 1.
- Delve into the world of Enneagram Type 2 individuals, often described as caring and people-pleasing, with valuable insights and tips for personal growth: Enneagram Type 2.
- Gain a deeper understanding of Enneagram Type 4 individuals, characterized by their creativity and emotional depth, in this insightful analysis: Enneagram Type 4.
- Navigate the distinct features of Enneagram Type 5 personalities, often seen as analytical and independent thinkers, with valuable perspectives and guidance: Enneagram Type 5.
- Examine the traits and behaviors of Enneagram Type 6 individuals, known for their loyalty and skepticism, in this informative exploration: Enneagram Type 6.
- Discover the vibrant characteristics of Enneagram Type 7 personalities, often described as enthusiastic and adventurous, through this engaging analysis: Enneagram Type 7.
- Gain insights into the powerful and assertive nature of Enneagram Type 8 individuals, known for their leadership qualities and strength of character: Enneagram Type 8.
- Explore the calm and peace-seeking qualities of Enneagram Type 9 personalities in this insightful guide to understanding and embracing their unique perspectives: Enneagram Type 9.
ABOUT SAI BLACKBYRN
I’m Sai Blackbyrn, better known as “The Coach’s Mentor.” I help Coaches like you establish their business online. My system is simple: close more clients at higher fees. You can take advantage of technology, and use it as a catalyst to grow your coaching business in a matter of weeks; not months, not years. It’s easier than you think.
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