Enneagram Type 3: The Competitive Achiever

 Are you interested in Enneagram Type 3 (The Competitive Achiever)? Then this guide is for you!

As a Competitive Achiever, you may also hear of someone with the Enneagram type 3 personality referred to as the Performer, the Motivator, or even as the Status Seeker. This individual wants to win at all costs and to be the best at whatever it is that he or she chooses to do.

Highly outgoing, the type 3 can be very charismatic and charming. Although someone with this Enneagram type is acutely aware of social norms and is very diplomatic, this person may become overly concerned with advancement and social status as well as what others might think of him or her.

This individual wants to be recognized and admired, and he or she knows how to woo others to get his or her way.

Enneagram Type 3 Traits

Just because those with this Enneagram personality want recognition and praise, it doesn’t mean that they are selfish and absorbed. These individuals can be extremely gracious, and other people tend to look up to them for their success and achievements.

Competitive achievers are very likable, and they work hard to develop the skills that are necessary to achieve the goals that will make them successful in the way that they view success.

Basic Desire

The Enneagram type 3 personality wants nothing more than to feel like a valuable and worthwhile member of society. This person will typically accomplish any goal that the individual sets his or her mind to due to this drive to feel important.

Basic Fear

As you might expect, the basic fear of the competitive achiever is just the opposite of his or her basic desire. This individual doesn’t want to appear to be worthless or to feel like a failure, so he or she may always be busy improving himself or herself.

Dealing with Enneagram Type 3 Personalities

With exceedingly high social skills, those of the type 3 Enneagram have no problem making friends. They’re highly likable people even though they may appear to be somewhat driven to succeed. Those with this personality also have very refined tastes and may put a great deal of effort into appearances.

Although they are good at planning, those of this type would much rather be doing something to work toward accomplishing their goals rather than waste time just thinking or talking about it.

Because they have such a need to be accepted, loved, and appreciated, competitive achievers can actually become stressed if they feel that they have failed or if people have negative opinions about them.

Enneagram Type 3 and Different Levels of Health

When talking about Enneagrams, there are three different levels of health that each person may fall under at any given time. These areas of health are healthy, average, and unhealthy.

Healthy Levels for the Competitive Achiever

When at their most healthy levels, enneagram type 3 personalities are charming, warm, and considerate. They have no problem lending a helping hand whenever necessary, and those of this personality are great at providing inspiration for others.

Highly organized, type 3s can maintain an appropriate balance between work and home life. They know how to have a good time, but they also know when its time to get down to business. Those of this type may even take time to mentor a peer.

Average Levels of Health and Enneagram Type 3

Since competitive achievers are afraid of failing, they will find ways to keep going to improve. However, this can lead to comparisons with the type 3 personality trying to show themselves as being better than others.

With a need to stand out, those with this enneagram type may turn to self-promotion as a way to make new connections or to fill any gaps in their lives. Because they want to be the best, they can come across as being extraordinarily arrogant to those who don’t know them very well.

In an effort to be number one, competitive achievers under normal levels of health may tend to overwork. They’re more likely to focus on their status and achievements in improving their reputations.

Unhealthy Levels for Type 3

If the type 3 becomes unhealthy and unstable, this need to be first or the best can turn into resentment and jealousy of those who they feel are doing better than they are.

Whether trying to regain their sense of self through proving they’re better than others or by backstabbing those who are doing better in an attempt to somehow tarnish reputations, the competitive achiever can be moody and aggressive.

When things get really bad for those with this type, they may become depressed and find lack of meaning in their lives. They may become anxious and very self-conscious about how they appear to others.

Careers and Hobbies for Enneagram Type 3s

Full of energy with high dreams of achievement, enneagram type 3 personalities truly need careers where they can stay busy and utilize their out-of-the-box ideas for the better of the company. These individuals give everything they’ve got in all that they do.

  • Lawyer
  • Entrepreneur
  • Actor
  • Journalist
  • Surgeon
  • Financial Analyst
  • Politician

Always busy, competitive enthusiasts like to play as hard as they like to work. Developing new skills and engaging in competitive sports provide type 3s with action and recognition. Other hobbies commonly shared by these types are singing, modeling, and dancing.

Famous Enthusiasts

As competitive achievers love to be in the spotlight, it’s no wonder that so many famous people share this enneagram type. Some of these are Tom Cruise, Elvis Presley, Arnold Schwarzenegger, David Bowie, Cindy Crawford, William Shatner, Sylvester Stallone, Will Smith, George Washington, and Oliver North.

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