Enneagram Type 1: Positive Affirmations for Path of Growth

“Have no fear of perfection – you’ll never reach it.” – Salvador Dali

I am on a Round-The-Enneagram tour, covering all 9 Enneagram Types in turn. Over the course of 9 weeks, I will be laying out positive affirmations aimed at serving the path of growth for each Enneagram Type. Please start off with a basic introduction to The Enneagram, as a guide for transformation, before reading on.

Overview of Enneagram Type 1: The Reformer, Perfectionist, Achiever

If you are a Type 1, you strongly emphasise key moral values such as responsibility, integrity, order, discipline and control. You place attention on what is right and what is wrong and will fight for justice. You have idealistic dreams, with the goal of improving the world.

You are seen as a Reformer. Your attributes make you a natural leader. Others are drawn to your energy because you are trustworthy, reliable, honorable, firm, principled and visionary. For the sake of higher values, you may even be prepared to make personal sacrifices.

“Perfectionism becomes a badge of honor with you playing the part of the suffering hero.” – David D. Burns

Hardworking and driven, you are always striving to improve. You make decisions from your gut and advocate taking practical action. You do what feels instinctively right. Being useful to others is important for you. You are passionate about problem solving, overcoming adversity and making a difference.

Historically, the idealism of the Type 1s had inspired millions. Role models with Type 1 personality include: Joan of Arc, Gandhi and Raoul Wallenburg. Each had given up their comfortable lives to fight for a cause they believe in. Other Type One personalities include Hilary Clinton, Harrison Ford, Meryl Streep, Margaret Thatcher, Kate Middleton, Martha Stewart, Confucius, Plato, and Michelle Obama.

The Shadow Side of Enneagram Type 1: The Judge, Critic

Your ideas for perfection may not necessarily be the same as others. However, it is the rigid notion that there is one right way to be and do things that can be costly. Should you only pay attention to what is missing, you may overlook the truth of what is more important or fail to appreciate the beauty of what-is. For instance, in a partnership, the fixation that “your way is the only right way to perceive things” can cause a great deal of disharmony.

In an unconscious state, you can become harsh and judgmental. You set high standards and can see things in black and white. Emotionally, you often experience justified anger. You believe that you have good reasons that back up your anger. You are fervent about justifying that you are “right”. It can be challenging for you to see that there is more than one perspective to a situation.

You feel compelled to educate others about how they can improve themselves and how they can avoid mistakes. However, while you have a positive intent, your desire often lands you in a conflict especially when others are not receptive to your strong feedback.

Your deepest fear is about being wrong, bad, immoral or imperfect. The compulsion to be good and any failure to achieve your self-imposed standards results in anger and resentment. Your criticism is often directed inwards. However, when the criticism becomes excessive, there is a tendency to sink into depression.

You enjoy adhering to protocol, procedures and procedures. If things get out of order, you tend to feel extremely irritated, even angry at times. You have low tolerance for messiness or shoddy work.

Opportunities for Growth for Enneagram Type 1

“Perfectionism kills art. I find that if I criticise myself, it spoils the fun. You can get paralysed by analysis – it takes all the playfulness away.” – Geri Halliwell

Your spiritual path is to reclaim serenity. To grow is to release your resistance. Things do not always have to be perfect. You give yourself the permission to surrender to life’s unfolding. Your opportunity of growth lies in acceptance. You acknowledge that there will always be things beyond your control. You ease your high standards.

You embrace your own imperfections and that of others. For conflict resolution, you learn to see from other people’s point of view. You acknowledge that your map is not always the territory. When others make mistakes, you become more forgiving. You learn to quell your impatience and irritations when others do not meet your standards. Also, you recognize that the best teachers can only truly inspire by example – and not criticism.

The paths of growth are represented by the lines that each Enneagram type are connected to. For Enneagram Type 1, the two paths are towards adopting the healthy traits of Type 4 and Type 7.

With the creative Type 4 energy, you are able to appreciate the beauty in life; even with all its imperfections. You are able to reconcile the following: There is beauty in imperfection as much as there is perfection in beauty. By integrating Type 4 energy, you are able to lend creativity when offering feedback for problem solving, instead of outright criticisms.

You are at your best when you are having fun. You are in the energy of Type 7. In fact, laughter is your best medicine. It is the antidote for repressed anger. When you laugh, you relax instantly. You become at ease with yourself and the world. Hence, find ways to be light-hearted and bring out the fun in you!

Positive Affirmations for Enneagram Type 1

I embrace myself completely.
I am perfect even in all my imperfections.
I accept who I am.
I accept that no one is perfect and I can make mistakes sometimes too.
I am at ease with life.
I forgive myself and others.
I set reasonable expectations for myself.
I choose to focus my attention on what is going right in my life.
I do the best I can and doing my best is what counts.
I am gentle with others.
I choose to be kind, compassionate and understanding.
I accept that everyone is doing the best they can with whatever resources they have at any one time.
Everyone is a teacher to me and I choose to learn patiently.
Life is perfect as it is.
I surrender to life’s unfolding.
I choose to be flexible, adaptable and embrace change.
I learn to laugh at myself.
I love being and having fun!

The Enneagram is a tool for transcendence. Through the grid of the Enneagram, you learn about integrating your highest values and embracing your shadow side. By releasing ego attachments and affirming the path of growth, you are on the way to gaining spiritual wholeness.

Love and Abundance Always,

Enneagram Executive Coach

P.S. Are you an Enneagram Type 1? Know anyone who has a Type 1 personality? Please share this post on social media to promote awareness in the personality self.

P.S.S. Check out my next article post on Enneagram Type 2: Positive Affirmations for Path of Growth.

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