Have you ever felt misunderstood?
Have you ever felt completely misunderstood? I once had a boss that told me I was too ambitious and intimidating. He told me, “I know you’re just coming in here trying to freak people out, and that’s not how we do things.”
Woah.
What he said shocked me because that wasn’t my intention at all. But what this moment taught me was the power of understanding ourselves and others. In marriage, being misunderstood or misunderstanding your spouse is one of the biggest problems we face. It’s often rooted in pride, which then keeps us from experiencing growth.
If you and I don’t ever learn how to grow in self-awareness and our understanding of others, our relationships are going to suffer. So how do we do this? As an Enneagram type 3, I’m all about implementing practical strategies in order to experience freedom in both our personal and professional lives.
In order to have incredible relationships, we have to start with a humble heart. I know this sounds cute, but what does it actually mean? It means starting at the foot of the cross each day, truly seeking Jesus and looking for opportunities to better our life more than we’re trying to better others. If we become professionals at growing ourselves, it ultimately helps those around us to grow into the humans God has made them to be.
The second thing we must do in order to experience more freedom is to lead with the mindset of get it right, not be right. This concept takes a “team” approach rather than a “you or I” approach where we are always trying to prove our point(s). And listen, I’ll be the first to admit that this can be challenging to do, but it’s what leads to true freedom. When I’m seeking to get it right, I do a whole lot more listening. When I’m seeking to get it right and not to be right, I start with empathy and a deeper desire to understand. When you and I lead with this heart position, it creates faster results, which then leads to freedom.
One of my favorite ways to grow in self-awareness is to use the Enneagram as a way of understanding why you do what you do. This tool has greatly impacted my marriage as my husband, Kramer, is an Enneagram type 5. That is the complete opposite of a 3, but using this tool with a humble heart and a desire to get it right in life has helped us grow and bring out the strengths in one another.
If you don’t know your Enneagram type yet and you want someone to confidently walk you through this tool, I’m your girl! I created a mini training that I take all of my clients through to help them truly know their type so that they can apply that knowledge to their lives. It’s so much more than just a number! You can click here to go through the training with me, and I’ll guide you step by step.
Maybe you already know your type but you’re starting to feel stuck in life, slipping into bad habits, battling to get in the Word of God, or struggling to thrive in your relationships. If so, then you might want to join my Enneagram Insiders Community. This is a monthly membership where we as a community are seeking Jesus and personal growth. Each month, I do live teachings with my insiders, provide weekly journal + script prompts, and train you on how to change your mindset so you can change your life. If you desire an inexpensive way to better yourself and be connected with other ambitious individuals, then Enneagram Insiders is for YOU! You can click right here to learn all about it and join.
You and I have an opportunity to make a positive impact wherever we go— let’s remain committed to Jesus and to living lives of constant growth.
With love,
Callie Ammons
