What do you mean by “observable patterns”?
One of the difficulties of the Enneagram is that it focuses on internal motivations rather than external behaviors. Additionally, determining one’s type does require a certain level of self-knowledge. For instance, do you go around thinking, “Hmm…what I really fear here is that I’m unworthy of being loved,” or “I suppose that I’m just falling prey to the deadly sin of avarice here”? As a result, it can be hard to tell what another person’s Enneagram type might be, and it might even be tough to tell what your own type is (I’ve personally spent time bouncing back-and-forth among types). So, in order to combat this problem, I’ve put together some short profiles of what might be more observable about each type from the outside looking in and/or what each of us might actually say our surface motivations and defense mechanisms are. I’ve designed these patterns, so that you can watch your behavior for these signs to try and verify what type you are from the outside-working-in. Now, you may not need this progression. Many people can go from the inside-working-out, but I can’t. If you are like me, then I hope this helps you.
Also, if you read through the patterns of a type and say to yourself, “Well, yeah, but isn’t everyone like that?” You may have just found your type. 😉
[If you want to investigate the full traditional descriptions, the best place to go is the Enneagram Institute here: https://www.enneagraminstitute.com/type-descriptions]
Type Seven
How do you pay attention? – Well, from the outside looking in, the Seven doesn’t seem to pay attention at all. If you are a Seven, your friends and family may think that you are the poster-child for ADHD, whether you have that particular neurodivergence or not. Seriously though, the Seven style of attention can best be termed associational. As a Seven, you naturally focus on multiple points of attention at the same time. You are the multi-tasker, the convergent thinker. While the Six keeps tabs on all of the exits, you keep tabs on anything that might be interesting. For friends of a Seven, it seems like your buddy is always on the hunt for an adventure.
What do you know intuitively? (i.e., the “superpower” that others notice) – The Seven intuitive superpower is how to get in trouble! Just kidding, Seven intuition grows naturally out of the attention style (just like all of the other types). So, as a Seven, you have a knack for how to have a good time and how to tell a great story. For those who suspect a friend might be a Seven, this is the best test – how good of a storyteller are they?
Defense Mechanisms:
Externalization – If you are a Seven, your first line of defense is to externalize your problems. You don’t have any idea how you got into “another fine mess.” Heaven forbid that it might be (partly) your fault! Situations and other people are the source of the problems that you have to deal with – how unfair!
Acting out / Avoidance – As a Seven, you always couple externalization with a response to the problem. Sometimes it is acting out with reckless behavior, and this behavior might not seem to be connected at all to the original stimulus. However, the more typical Seven response is avoidance. After all, if your problems are really caused by other people are certain situations, then doesn’t it seem like the best way to “solve” the problem is to not be there?
Secondary Motivations:
If you have a high degree of self-knowledge, then you might see how your motivations spring from a core desire to avoid pain and experience pleasure (I’m only good if I keep having a good time.) but – for the rest of us – you might see these motivations instead…
On a good day – I want to enjoy life. I want to have fun. I don’t want to put limits on myself.
On a bad day – I will get whatever I want. If I can stay in motion, then I don’t have to face anxiety (or consequences to my actions).
Warning signs – You are getting unhealthy when you start perpetually giving into your impulses. This process may look like a string of projects, interests, jobs, relationships, and more started with zest then dropped just as quickly.
Recurring Temptation:
Each type has a recurring temptation (remember, these are the seven deadly sins, just under a different name) that starts the “snowball” rolling down the hill to being unhealthy. As a Seven, the lie that seems so, so, SO “true” is that you will be happier by having more of what brings you pleasure. More is not always better, and focusing on “What’s next?” means that you’re missing what’s happening now.
Reminder:
Just like the seven deadly sins, we all have the energies of all of the Enneagram types. Even if you identified a lot with what is written above, stay tuned for the other types. You might just identify with another type more closely.
Credit: These observations chiefly come from The Enneagram: Understanding Yourself and the Others in Your Life by Helen Palmer and Understanding the Enneagram: The Practical Guide to Personality Types by Don Richard Riso