Core Motivations
Core Motivations is an integral part of discovering one’s Enneagram type. Simply noticing our behaviors does not lead us to lasting change. We need to pay attention to why we behave the way we do in order to grow. The Enneagram highlights our Core Motivations as a way to give language to what drives our actions. Knowing our motivations grants us the ability to name our unique inner experiences. By naming our motivations, we begin to recognize our unhealthy tendencies and face them honestly. The practice of noticing our Core Motivations in our day-to-day lives leads to transforming and lasting growth. Additionally, by learning the Core Motivations of all nine types, we gain insight into what fuels the behavioral patterns of others. This awareness leads us to greater empathy and compassion for each other.
TYPE ONE:
Core Fear: Being intrinsically flawed, beyond redemption, and morally corrupt
Core Weakness: Resentment – The result of repressed anger towards others and themselves for not living up to their ideals and standards.
Core Desire: To live rightly and with a clear conscience.
Core Longing: To hear – “You are good and made perfect in Christ.”
TYPE TWO
Core Fear: Being unlovable, having too many needs, and being abandoned.
Core Weakness: Pride – Two’s often feel entitled to admiration and appreciation for all that they have done for others. This behavior is a defense mechanism against their internal sense of shame.
Core Desire: To be valued, desired, and unconditionally loved.
Core Longing: To hear –“you are valuable and beloved.”
TYPE THREE
Core Fear: To be seen as unsuccessful, without value, and exposed as a fraud.
Core Weakness: Deceit — The attempt to convince others that they are successful and worthy of admiration to mask deep feelings of shame and inadequacy.
Core Desire: To achieve respect, admiration, and value.
Core Longing: To hear: “Your value is not based on your performance.”
TYPE FOUR
Core Fear: Being intrinsically ordinary, a cog in a machine, emotionally stifled, mundane, damaged, inadequate, or insignificant.
Core Weakness: Envy — The feeling of discontent with life and the sense that others have a “certain something” that is missing.
Core Desire: To discover a true, unique identity and live an authentic life.
Core Longing: To hear –“you are deeply known and deeply loved as extraordinary you.”
TYPE FIVE
Core Fear: Complete depletion and insufficiency. Having too many obligations placed on them. Lack of knowledge and ability. Non-existence or annihilation.
Core Weakness: Avarice — A desire to hoard their inner resources, leading them to withdraw into their “mind-castles" built to keep themselves safe. They minimize their needs toward others and attempt to meet their own needs.
Core Desire: To face the reality of life with wisdom, knowledge, and excellence.
Core Longing: To hear –“It is okay to share your needs. You are not a burden.”
TYPE SIX
Core Fear: Fear Itself — Finding oneself without support, sound advice, or secure attachment. Being left alone, abandoned, or unjustly blamed.
Core Weakness: Anxiety — Playing out multiple scenarios of the future in order to prevent their worst imaginations from becoming reality. Living in a consistent state of fear and worry.
Core Desire: Having sound counsel, secure attachments, and a supportive community.
Core Longing: To hear – “You are safe. You will be okay, no matter the outcome.”
TYPE SEVEN
Core Fear: Missing out on what will make them happy and satisfy their needs. To be confined in emotional distress.
Core Weakness: Gluttony –The unquenchable desire for more resulting in the endless search for people, places, things, and experiences to fill their inner void.
Core Desire: To be full; satisfied.
Core Longing: To hear–“You are cared for and guarded.”
TYPE EIGHT
Core Fear: Being manipulated, controlled, taken advantage of, or receiving injustice. Being weak, vulnerable, found lacking, and betrayed.
Core Weakness: Excess (lust) – Consistently craving more on a primal level. More power, control, pleasure, and intensity.
Core Desire: To protect themselves and those they care for.
Core Longing: To hear –“You will not be abandoned or blindsided.”
TYPE NINE
Core Fear: Discord, conflict, and disconnection from others. To be invisible and in-significant.
Core Weakness: Sloth – Falling asleep to their own experience of the world to achieve peace. Coping with reality by living from their inner world, or merging with others.
Core Desire: To be at peace and experience true rest.
Core Longing: To hear – “You are worthy of time and attention.”