THE REFORMER
The Rational, Idealistic Type: Principled, Purposeful, Self-Controlled, and Perfectionistic
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Ones attempt to control or repress their anger and instinctual energy. They feel that they must stay in control of themselves, especially of their instinctual impulses and angry feelings at all times. They would like to direct these energies according to the dictates of their highly developed inner critic (superego), the source of their strictures on themselves and others.
Ones are conscientious and ethical, with a strong sense of right and wrong. They are teachers, crusaders, and advocates for change: always striving to improve things, but afraid of making a mistake. Well-organized, orderly, and fastidious, they try to maintain high standards, but can slip into being critical and perfectionistic. They typically have problems with resentment and impatience. At their Best: wise, discerning, realistic, and noble. Can be morally heroic.
Basic Fear: Of being corrupt/evil, defective
Basic Desire: To be good, to have integrity, to be balanced
Key Motivations: Want to be right, to strive higher and improve everything, to be consistent with their ideals, to justify themselves, to be beyond criticism so as not to be condemned by anyone.
Biblical figure: PAUL
A self-proclaimed lover of the Law and a Pharisee, enforcer of the “right way,” even to the point of murder. This, of course, describes Paul before the Damascus Road experience.
Once he started following Jesus, he gave up his murderous ways. He did not, however, abandon his passion for a just world. Paul is an excellent character study for Ones. You see clearly his dark, unhealthy side. You also see clearly how God redeems Paul’s core passion (justice, in particular) for his glory.
Other famous Ones: Jerry Seinfeld, Nelson Mandela, Hermione Granger (Harry Potter), Batman, Michelle Obama
Strengths:
You’re strong-willed and justice-oriented, and you’re willing to make a stand for what you care about.
Personal Growth Recommendations
Learn to relax. The salvation of the world does not depend on you alone, even though you may sometimes feel it does.
You have a lot to teach others and are probably a good teacher, but do not expect others to change immediately.
It is easy for you to work yourself up into a lather about the wrongdoings of others... Similarly, beware of your constant irritation with your own "shortcomings."
Your Achilles' heel is your self-righteous anger. You get angry easily and are offended by what seems to you to be the perverse refusal of others to do the right thing—as you have defined it. Try to step back and see that your anger alienates people so that they cannot hear many of the good things you have to say.
Enneagram and Coffee – Done is better than perfect
Craig Groeschel — Failure is not final
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