Nine Ways to Recover from Burnout (Through the Lens of the Enneagram)

Are you feeling down, lacking energy, unmotivated, depressed and have feelings of hopelessness?  Maybe you are burnt out. 

Burnout gradually catches up with you when you fail to notice what is happening inside you. 

Maybe you are in a relationship where you feel like you are walking on eggshells.  Maybe you are in a job that under-uses your skills. Maybe you feel stuck in life and don’t know what to do.

Learning to face your reality while hard can be the critical step to move you towards healing. Learning the Enneagram can help you find your way to healing.

The Enneagram is a powerful spiritual tool to help you notice what is happening in your internal world. Through discerning your Enneagram type, you will discover what happens to you when you get stuck in the limitation of your ego.

Here are nine ways to begin your healing journey through the lens of the Enneagram.  We will begin with the wisdom of the body center. 

Body Center:

Enneagram Type Eight: The Challenger

Eights can put massive pressure on themselves and those around them— leading to burnout because of the enormous pressure they put on themselves. Also, their tendency to avoid asking for help makes their situation worse.

If you are type eight or know someone who is, you can encourage them to seek help for all their projects,  take time for self-care and find a safe person to be vulnerable with.

 Want to Learn 9 Ways to Detox Your Soul through your Body, Heart and Mind? Click Here

Enneagram Type Nine: The Peacemaker:

Under stress, Nines can begin to forget who they are because they fear causing a rift in relationships they care about.  As they get more stuck in their personality, they avoid conflict at all costs. Eventually, the anger and frustration of not expressing their needs and wants causes them to lash out and friends and family.

If you are a type Nine or know of one, you can encourage them to express their desires. Let them know that you would appreciate knowing their likes and dislikes, opinions and dreams. Say thank you when they do.

 Enneagram Type One: The Reformer:

Under stress, Ones put massive pressure on themselves to get it right. At their best, they do know better ways to do things. However, when they get stuck in their personality, their way of thinking gets distorted, causing them to think they know more than most others.

If you are a type One or know someone who is, you can encourage them to not be so hard on themselves and practice being just good enough. This will prevent you from moving into burnout.

The Heart Center

 Enneagram Type Two: The Helper

Under stress, twos get more manipulative to get people to love them based on the misguided belief that they must earn love from those they care about.

If you are Type Two or know someone who is, you can encourage them to take self-care days and allow someone to do something for them. Remind them that the world needs them to care for themselves.

 Enneagram Type Three: The Achiever

Under stress, Threes can get overly focused on how others see them.  They pretend to be someone else, thinking they are going to look better in the eyes of others. They close down their hearts so they can focus on being someone they know they are not.

If you are Type Three or know of someone who is, you can encourage them to slow down, relax, and rest.  Help them to know they have value just for being themselves. When you value yourself, you are less likely to burnout.

Enneagram Type Four: The Individualist

Under stress, Type Fours start to view the world where the grass is always greener on the other side of the street. Instead of being thankful for all they have, they focus on what they do not have.

If you are a Type Four or know of someone who is, you can encourage them to practice radical gratitude by expressing gratitude for the many things they enjoy. Also, you can encourage them to notice when they get stuck in melancholy and learn ways to break out of it.

 The Head Center

Enneagram Type Five: The Investigator

Under stress, Type Fives go into their inner world in their head where they can focus on what is important to them.  They get so stuck in their head that they can forget their physical needs. They get caught in the fear that they don’t know enough and fear looking stupid if they present a half-baked thought.

If you are a Type Five or know of someone who is, you can invite them to do something physical with them. You can encourage them to get lots of sleep and eat regularly. Remind them that the world benefits when they share what they are learning. Being in touch with your body will help to prevent you from experiencing burnout.

Want to Learn More About the Enneagram? Click Here

Enneagram Type Six: The Loyalist

Under stress, Type Six’s get caught in the lie that they have been abandoned by God, a person, a community, or anything else they depend on.  They grow more and more fearful, putting up increasing defences around them to keep them safe.

If you are Type Six or know someone who is, you can help them by reminding them that they are not alone. Let them know how much you care about them.  Encourage them to quiet their minds.  Invite them to be curious about their fears.  Ask themselves whether these are fears worth worrying about. Let go of all your worries that you have no control over.

 Enneagram Type Seven: The Enthusiast

Under stress, Type Sevens will stay busy to avoid any inner pain.  The greater the excitement and adventure, the more adrenaline is created to mask the inner pain. They often overbook out of the desire not to miss any exciting new adventure.

You can help the Seven by encouraging them to slow down.  Support them in finding a spiritual practice that will help them connect with their inner wisdom and hold space for them to do their work. Slowing down will reduce your risk of burnout.

The Enneagram is a great tool to help you become present. The more self-aware you are, the easier for you to show up as your God self.

Using the wisdom that comes from your three centers of intelligence, you become self-aware to prevent you from moving into burnout.

Your body will let you know when it is tired and stressed. Your heart will let you know when you are ignoring what you are passionate about and called to live out on the earth. Your quiet mind will lead you to your new calling. 

Roland Legge is an accredited professional burnout prevention coach for Clergy. Don't let burnout ruin your life. Can I sign you up for a COMPLIMENTARY CONVERSATION TO DISCUSS THE CHALLENGES YOU ARE FACING  Yes, Sign me UP