In the August Issue:
As an entrepreneur, one of the greatest challenges I’ve faced is to access the inherent, unique gifts that I possess. It’s those very gifts that allow us to bring forth our unique vision and ideas into the world, to impact and transform the lives of others.
One of the reasons why we lose access to these gifts, is because we get distracted by thoughts, feelings, and events of the past, as well as projecting those very things into our future. It prevents us from being fully present to what is in front of us here, in this present moment.
Early on in my coaching career, I became exposed to the powerful framework of the Enneagram, which addresses this specific challenge in customized ways. Commonly, the Enneagram is known as personality typology that speaks to nine specific motivations and gifts each of us come with. Just as important, if not more, it speaks to nine ways we commonly lose access to presence, and by that token, access to our gifts. It’s these 9 patterns of distraction that cause us to react and protect ourselves in ways that are often counterproductive to what we seek.
Whether you know your Enneagram Type (or not), all of us have these gifts to a certain degree, so see what resonates with you as we explore the gifts we can access when are in presence, and how we show up when we are distracted from them:
Type 1: The Moralist
Gifts: I am principled, in alignment with my values, and tap into the sacredness of life, both in myself and others.
Distracted: I can be extremely critical (especially of myself), rigid and unbending.
Type 2: The Helper
Gifts: I am caring, loving, and responsive; I intuitively sense the needs of others without neglecting my own.
Distracted: I try to “make connections” happen to feel loved and fill the needs of others, often neglecting my own.
Type 3: The Achiever
Gifts: I am driven, authentic, and charming; I recognize my value comes from being connected to my deeper self.
Distracted: I can become competitive, comparative and succumb to workaholism in order to be “successful”.
Type 4: The Individualist
Gifts: I am a seeker of depth, beauty, and intimacy. I see beyond the surface and tap into the essence that lies within.
Distraction: I can get lost in my emotions, feel easily misunderstood, and self-absorbed.
Type 5: The Investigator
Gifts: I am curious, perceptive, and open-minded. Extremely observant, I have tremendous foresight.
Distraction: I can become extremely cerebral, detached, and reclusive.
Type 6: The Loyalist
Gifts: I am alert, courageous and can tap into my sense of inner knowing and guidance. I am a team player who empowers and lifts others up.
Distraction: I lose trust in myself, start doubting myself and others, and can start to micromanage my environments.
Type 7: The Enthusiast
Gifts: I am optimistic, lighthearted, and versatile. I experience a sense of inner freedom and deep gratitude.
Distraction: I am excessive, constantly active, and find it difficult to commit or focus.
Type 8: The Challenger
Gifts: I am strong, determined and tap into my sense of aliveness. I am naturally protective of others.
Distracted: I create a “sense of strength” by dominating others and ensuring everyone knows how tough I am, regardless of the situation.
Type 9: The Peace Seeker
Gifts: I am calm, balanced, and seek to see the unity and wholeness of everyone and everything. I see all sides to a situation.
Distracted: I’m overwhelmed by others and make myself small, thinking my voice doesn’t matter in a world of chaos and disengage from life.
Path Back to Presence:
Regardless of whichever of the above Type/Types you resonated with, the path back to presence is the same. It begins with re-connecting back to our body, as opposed to living in our thoughts or feelings.
Here is a short exercise you can do at any time to reconnect:
- Feel your feet on the ground.
- Breathe deeply and notice the shifts it creates in your body.
- Start to notice sensations in your body (i.e. heat/cold, numbness/electricity, etc.).
- Stay here; you’ll notice your heart soften and mind starting to quieten.
Meet Vrindavan (Vrin) Rao
sCoach & meditation teacher
Vrin is an Enneagram Coach and Meditation Teacher. She specializes in working with individuals and teams who are looking to identify and uncover their unconscious ego patterns, so that they can respond with intention and wisdom, instead of reacting to circumstances and people.
If you are interested in learning more about the Enneagram for yourself and/or your team, Vrin offers specialized Enneagram Consultations, workshops and ongoing coaching. The consultation is a 1:1 opportunity to dive deeper into understanding your core motivations, better understand your unique gifts, and learn how to work with your pattern of distraction.
Find Vrindavan Rao HERE!
