Resources & Events (Time Management - Enneagram Types)

Resources & Events > Time Management and the Enneagram Types > Enneagram Types

Ones

One Style

There is never enough time to produce a good product
Back to back scheduling; feels rushed and resentful of time (it is hard to take satisfaction or feel relief even when a task is done as there is always more to do and it could always have been done better)
Pleasure deferred until work is done
Inner critic evaluates all of their work, which can lead to procrastination because of constantly refining and evaluating every step against a perfect measure; being afraid to make a mistake
Difficulty producing quick thumbnail sketches or unfinished products
Focus on perfect work and eliminating error can lead to slow progress
Tends to be well organized, has focus and clarity, and works endlessly
Completes projects and has high standards
High energy and excitement when actively involved with a project
Able to multi-task at a high level

Time Management Tips for Ones

The tornado can sneak up on Ones when their carefully managed schedule is upended. If you are a One, when tackling a task or project, begin by establishing reasonable parameters and deadlines. Schedule a third less tasks than you believe you can accomplish and include specific relaxation time. You may be surprised at how much more time you have available when you practice delegating tasks to your capable team members. Those same folks may be able to offer you little reality checks when anger and frustration over imperfections slows progress. Throughout the course of the project, keep your options open by assuming that there is more than one way to accomplish a task, and remind yourself that every mistake is a learning experience. Celebrate your strengths: the ability to oversee details, quality management, and a strong work ethic make you an asset wherever you focus your energy!

Twos

Two Style

Sees time through the lens of relationships
Priority is given to projects when they are connected to someone important; their own deadlines are often put aside in favor of helping someone else
Meaningful time is spent working with others
Time passes quickly when they are engaged and emotionally invested in a project and drags endlessly when there is no personal connection
Time is experienced through emerging relationships in a project and not content
Motivates and sees the positive in others
Works hard with little need for personal gain
Makes others feel comfortable
Feels great accomplishment when finishing a project and hopes others can benefit from their efforts

Time Management Tips for Twos

As the tornado takes its toll on the office, Twos are acutely aware of its effects on others. As the pace picks up, the pull to empathically respond to others' needs increases. If you are a Two, your best self will come through by recognizing and supporting the unique gifts of others while maintaining a focus on your own responsibilities. This also allows your colleagues to learn from their own mistakes and ask for help when they need it. By limiting activities and projects, you can keep an eye on personal goals and responsibilities and schedule specific time for personal needs. Pushing on through the mundane parts of your work and practicing saying "No" will also give you more time for the emotional engagement that keeps everyone connected.

Threes

Three Style

Lives on professional time; prioritizes and acts
Private goals are less important than public ones
The more work the better; time is allocated to production
Breaks goals into tasks and gives them a specific time frame
Time organized around the next deadline/priority
Time lags or down times are frightening because identity is tied to public performance and achievement
Quantity and speed over quality
Resents interruptions (it upsets the schedule) and dislikes waiting and delays
Naturally multi-tasks to maximize time
Pace is always rapid and focused

Time Management Tips for Threes

The hectic, fast-paced, deadline-driven storm is where Threes shine best. If you are a three, the center of action where the push to produce is foremost can pull you in and allow speed to replace quality. Remember, your productivity will only improve when you slow down enough to take a step back and evaluate all courses of action before moving ahead. Spending time planning, evaluating and reflecting will minimize mistakes and give you needed time to relax. Encouraging others to use their unique talents when delegating a task and learning to say "No" will only be viewed favorably. This more efficient management of your time, coupled with the assistance of others, will also give you the space to express true feelings regardless of outside image and evaluate growth edges as well as successes.

Fours

Four Style

Time is experienced through meaningful moments
Experiences/marks time through deeper themes in meetings, grand ideas, etc.
Takes time to see the deeper meaning behind meetings and relationships
Can be extremely flexible with time, can easily change tasks or plans in mid-stream
Thrives off of intense emotional interactions, in which time passes quickly
Procrastinates over ordinary and mundane tasks; needs their interest peaked
Doesn't like working to deadlines - it cramps creative style; resents time constraints imposed from the outside

Time Management Tips for Fours

Fours have a unique way of leaving their stamp on all that they do. (Ask a Four to describe the intensity of the tornado and see what happens!) They remind us that our work can be an expression of our most creative selves. If you are a four, the time between grand moments of importance can seem dull and endless in comparison. Allow the meaningful pieces of the work to carry you through the mundane tasks. Being proactive in getting yourself involved in the work that interests you and delegating the portions that feel burdensome when possible will move time along. Taking time to make and keep schedules and deadlines will free up more space for you to spend exploring creative solutions.

Fives

Five Style

Lives on private time: to reflect, regroup and disengage
Likes to control their own time
Organizes around compartmentalized events
Time is hoarded and spent like currency; likes to get a return on investment of time
Trouble distinguishing between thoughts and actions; becomes so absorbed they lose track of time
Often the last to speak, recapitulating others' remarks; excellent observers
Doesn't like the pressure of urgency but needs deadlines
Never has enough time to learn all they can about the situation; always seeks more information/data
Quickly finishes required tasks in order to spend time with personal interests

Time Management Tips for Fives

As the Five moves through the tornado they are observing every facet of its pattern. They see interrelationships and systems that others may miss. If you are a Five, remember that your brilliant thoughts need to get to the other members of your team- and before the storm is over! Differentiating between knowledge/thinking and action and moving on with projects even if they are not fully developed will allow your talents to shine. And by balancing being a team player and engaging with others with needed private time you can best meet your needs.

Sixes

Six Style

Keeps track of time; sees time as an authority to submit to or rebel against
Focuses on planning for challenges: "when time runs out"
Resists deadlines when there is not enough time to thoroughly analyze or anticipate challenges
Stays focused on worthwhile causes
Loyalty to others can challenge prioritizing
"What-if" thinking can be too time-consuming; has a doubting mind
Works well under objective crises that require action
Procrastinates while thinking of all possible consequences, then works rapidly when deadline approaches

Time Management Tips for Sixes

Need a great risk-analysis of that storm? Call on a Six. They have an innate ability to anticipate many of the possible pit-falls in a project. When they move out of analysis into action - despite feeling pressed for time - they manage crisis very well. If you are a Six, by defining fears/doubts and giving them voice you begin to trust yourself in the decision process. Your doubts will also be addressed more thoroughly by asking for clarification on reporting, accountability and expectations. Establishing personal priorities and goals and learning to say "No" will also give you more time to take for yourself while remaining true to your responsibilities to others.

Sevens

Seven Style

Time is limitless - can play with time
Can always make room in the day for more experiences and activities
Enthusiastic at the initial planning stages of a project
Procrastinates near completion and when moving from ideas to implementation
Oriented towards the future
Fixed time- tables feel limiting and time drags when they are bored
Moves at a rapid pace when engaged fully; often multi-tasking
Often overextends or over commits - doesn't see time's limitations
Pressures others to quickly respond to their needs or time demands

Time Management Tips for Sevens

The energy and enthusiasm of a 7 can make time feel alive. They are the first to jump into the chaos- just for the experience- and quickly get caught up in a flurry of activity. By taking a step back, and taking the time to plan a few courses of action 7's can get the best experience out of time. Like fours, 7's are more likely to stay enthusiastic about a project if they plan exciting tasks sandwiched between boring ones. Staying focused on the present moment allows you to have realistic expectations regarding projects and plan fewer projects with more depth. Use your ability to multi task to complete projects (and avoid procrastination) while also engaging in new ones that pique your interest.

Eights

Eight Style

In control of time: when they are on time, everyone should be, when they need a break, everyone should get one
Focuses on what interests them while other things get moved aside
Likes to stay in motion- will often move them towards deadlines
Does not like to run on other's time
Uses leadership style to motivate and move others according to their agenda
Good time manager even though he/she can be overbearing on others
Excellent troubleshooter and time manager in crises; calm under time pressures

Time Management Tips for Eights

As the tornado kicks into high gear, the Eight takes charge. Taking control of the chaos, they move forward, bending time to suit the situation. If you are an Eight, by becoming a team player and sharing ideas and decisions with others you can evaluate and reassess pitfalls to minimize their impact. You are then in the best position to delegate tasks and find win-win solutions, which will increase efficiency. Controlling your anger and frustration when time moves at a snails pace will also increase your impact and respect as a leader.

Nines

Nine Style

Equalizes time- everything happens in its own time
Different events and the time they take have equal weight
Keeps emotionally balanced and does not get upset over things
Needs schedules and dislikes anything new or risky
Can be slow to get moving
Responds to crisis with calm and determination
Difficulty in decision-making leads to procrastination
Can use time as a passive manipulation tool

Time Management Tips for Nines

As the rush of life sends the rest of us into turmoil, Nines can often be found calmly taking it all in. Their talent for creating and maintaining harmony - at their own pace - allows others to take respite from the storm. If you are a Nine, focusing on the immediate next steps in a project and using a time log will free you up to move at your own speed and prevent a backlog of responsibilities from pushing you around. By setting and keeping deadlines and plans you can avoid procrastination and prioritize tasks. Engaging yourself in the planning and process portions of a project will also keep you invested and involved, while allowing sufficient time to relax.