The Enneagram 7 – The Enthusiast
The Enthusiast (Enneagram 7) is a multi-talented and cheerful individual who loves to be on the go with an impressive array of projects and ideas. At any given time, they have a wide range of hobbies and friends in their lives and an ongoing list of plans (i.e., a super snazzy bucket list!) for the future. Their future-oriented, curious nature leads them down many diverse paths in life.
Sticking to a single career path, major, life partner, hobby, or place of residence can prove to be a massive challenge—if not an impossible feat—for Sevens. They’re constantly exploring new possibilities in an effort to find happiness and surprise in all of their endeavors.
Open-minded and endlessly energetic, Sevens feel most “at home” (paradoxically) when they’ve figured out a rough sketch of how their life can pan out over time. This process can stretch into mid-life, and take years of quiet self-reflection before unfolding from the metamorphosis.
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Enneagram Seven Profile
A Quick Overview of the Seven:
- Part of the Head Triad (along with Enneatypes Five and Six)
- Can have a Six or Eight wing: 7w6 or 7w8
- Nicknamed ‘The Enthusiast’
- Ego Fixation: Planning
- Vice: Gluttony
- Virtue: Sobriety
- Integrates into the Five (The Investigator) under growth
- Disintegrates into the One (The Perfectionist) under stress
- Basic Fear: To be trapped or stifled in a situation without an escape
- Basic Desire: To feel free to explore all of the opportunities life has to offer
Values are the core beliefs that make up the most important aspects of life. They have a strong influence over important decisions, especially during critical times when standing between a fork in the road.
Common Values of the Seven:
- Exploration
- Excitement
- Playfulness
- Vigor
- Optimism
- Creativity
- Imagination
The Enneagram model of personality identifies three distinct levels of health for each type: healthy, normal, and unhealthy.
Under healthy levels of growth, Sevens integrate in the direction of the Five, and become more research-intensive, with a more exceptional ability to sustain focus. Still armed with a jovial heart and spirit, Sevens are irresistibly charismatic and happy-go-lucky. They skip through life with optimism and the fuel to keep learning. Their positive energy invigorates and inspires colleagues and leaders—and they easily garner rapport from all walks of their life.
At healthy levels, the typically outspoken and gregarious Seven experiences greater patience (and appreciation) for working alone and tinkering with projects solo. This may initially confuse friends and family who are used to their more gregarious character. Sevens find themselves reading and consuming knowledge at rates like never before, and enjoy this new chapter of their larger life story.
At average levels, Sevens are slightly scattered and “all over the place,” filled with (sometimes far-off) plans to travel, work, study, connect and grow as individuals. To avoid negative emotions rising to the surface, they preoccupy their minds with exciting new plans. They hope that if they push away any fears or worries that they will ultimately forget about them.
Since Sevens battle boredom during periods of inactivity or absence of plans, they devise multiple strategies to keep their minds abuzz with new and fresh ideas. They can be easily distractible, with relatively short attention spans. The chase for the next great high becomes the reason to get out of bed and hustle through the week.
Under unhealthy levels of stress, Sevens disintegrate in the direction of the One and become more rigid and intolerant to outward perspectives. They lose their famous childlike spark and proceed to critique the nonsensical components of “the real world.” During down time, unhealthy Sevens can neglect once exciting hobbies to spew anger at the bleakness of reality, which has failed to align to their idyllic imaginations—burned down in flames.
As a final attempt to make sense of their stress, Sevens can pull off a melodramatic show to display their dangerous levels of nonchalance and free-thinking ways—without a care in the world—to erase past hurts once and for all. They regularly engage in reckless activities to chase the next high and avoid dealing with the sheer litany and boredom of reality.
Healthy Type 7 Behavior
- Radiant, confident, and optimistic
- Ability to sustain deep focus for long periods
- Solid long-term life vision and plan
- Takes full responsibility for actions
- Talented in a variety of industries
Average Type 7 Behavior:
- Wish to experience as much as possible
- Flighty and challenging to tie down
- Scattered and easily excitable
- Distractible, with short attention spans
- Adrenaline and dopamine-charged
Unhealthy Type Seven Behavior:
- Transformations in look or character in quick succession
- Relentlessness; a lack of vision
- Narcissistic and flashy, hungry for attention
- Morally confused and uncertain
- Reliant on stimulants to feel “alive.”
When it comes to vocational preferences, Sevens gravitate toward careers where they can explore many different options at the same time and feel “on edge” (in a good way). They may spend a few years dabbling in (many, many) different industries before zooming into a few.
Popular Occupations:
- Journalist
- Radio / Television Host
- Travel Writer
- Public Relations Specialist
- Scriptwriter
- Entrepreneur
During down time, Sevens aim to keep their energy levels maxed out by continuously throwing themselves into new activities and experiences.
Common Hobbies:
- Trying new foods
- Acting and improv
- Stand-up comedy
- Podcasting
- Adrenaline-inducing activities
Many well-known entrepreneurs and spokespeople throughout history were Sevens in the Enneagram. Sevens are known to “job-hop” and have erratic work schedules.
Quotes From Famous Enneagram Type Sevens:
- “When what we are is what we want to be, that’s happiness.” – Malcolm Forbes
- “The ads call me fearless, but that’s just publicity. Anyone who thinks I’m not scared out of my mind whenever I do one of my stunts is crazier than I am.” – Jackie Chan
- “Once we believe in ourselves, we can risk curiosity, wonder, spontaneous delight, or any experience that reveals the human spirit.” – E. E. Cummings
- “On stage, it was always comfortable for me, because that’s where I felt at home.” – Elton John
Watch This Video to Get a Final Overview of the Seven:
Other Articles You Might Enjoy:
Myers-Briggs® and the Enneagram – What’s the Same and What’s Different
Here’s What Really Motivates You, Based on Your Enneagram Type
Here’s the Lifelong Struggle You’ve Faced, Based on Your Enneagram Type
More Enneagram Type Seven Resources:
About the Author:
Lily Yuan is a personality psychology writer who has a knack for just missing the bus. She tests as INTP 5w4 and constantly questions her type. Learn more at www.lily-yuan.com or follow her on Twitter @LilyYuanWrites.
Thanks, Lily! I am an ENFP 7 (with some undetermined wing). I really enjoyed this. Very accurate. Also, I’ve never met an INTP I didn’t enjoy talking with. 🙂
Cheers!
-Jennifer
Didn’t find this described me – may be in 2 areas.
Interesting read! I never knew there were so many different types of personalities in the Enneagram system. It’s fascinating to learn about each type and how they interact with others. Thanks for sharing this informative post!