The Enneagram Type 7 (The Enthusiast)

In this article, you will learn everything you need to know about Enneagram Type 7 archetypes. From the definition of the Enneagram, examples, and why it is useful.

What is The Enneagram Type 7? (The Enthusiast)

The type seven personality is known as the Enthusiast and is defined by the need to avoid boredom and pain whilst experiencing everything possible that life has to offer them.

Type seven people appear externally to be fun-loving, lively, active, and even hedonistic.

They are very busy people with packed schedules, rushing from activity after activity in a determined effort to get as much enjoyment out of their life as they possibly can.

Type seven fears missing out on any of the good experiences that life has to offer or becoming stuck in a rut.

They cannot stand the thought of feeling bored or sad and wish to avoid lacking inspiration in their lives.

More than anything, they want to avoid feeling bored, sad, or uninspired. As a coping mechanism for their fears, they search for excitement and new, fun experiences in life.

How do Enneagram Type 7 individuals act?

The type seven personality is the embodiment of enthusiasm, finding themselves enthusiastic over the many things which grab their attention.

This manifests itself in an approach to life that is marked with optimism and curiosity.

They are full of a sense of adventure, enraptured by the good things in the world which are available to them to experience.

They are bold and determined in their approach to life, full of vitality.

This leads to them embracing numerous activities and projects at the same time, something they manage with tremendous practicality.

They have great powers of foresight and are able to come up with ideas quickly and nimbly, using this ability to provide themselves with stimulation.

Enneagram Type 7 individuals and Intelligence

Whilst type seven people can be intelligent and read widely, they are not always particularly academic or intellectual individuals.

Their minds move too quickly from one idea to another to allow them to focus on any particular topic in great depth, but this does allow them to process large amounts of information quickly and to brainstorm, valuable assets in their own right.

The type seven person prefers a broad oversight of a topic to a deep understanding, excited by spontaneity and vast numbers of ideas.

This makes them very useful in the developmental and creative stages of a new project or creative process rather than in practical implementation.

Enneagram Type 7 individuals absorb information

The type seven person is lucky enough to benefit from possessing a quick and nimble mind which allows them to absorb information and learn quickly.

This also allows them to pick up new practical skills, such as learning an instrument or a sport, effectively and quickly. They tend to have great manual dexterity and good mind-body coordination.

However, the speed at which they can pick up new information and skills can be problematic for them, making it harder for them to decide what they want to do with themselves and their lives.

The ease with which they are able to acquire new abilities means they do not always value them as highly as they should and would if they were harder to come by.

However, when they are able to manage this aspect of their personality they are capable of achieving great things.

Darkside of Enneagram Type 7 Personalities

Another core problem of the type seven personality is that they lose touch with their inner system of support and guidance, meaning they are prone to anxiety.

They find it difficult to make decisions and choices, using two coping methods to deal with this.

Firstly they do all that they can to keep their minds occupied and active, focusing a lot of their time and energy on projects and ideas for their future.

They also use thinking as a means of stimulating activity, remaining active and always searching for the next experience or form of stimulation.

Despite the amount of energy, this requires they enjoy the business and activity, finding it reassuring.

Enneagram Type 7 individuals and guidance

Another method that the type seven personality uses to deal with their lack of inner support and guidance is by doing everything within their power to understand what is best using a ‘trial and error’ method.

Deep down they do not think they can find what it is that they want in their life and so to compensate for this they have a tendency to try out everything, experimenting in the hope that they will find what it is that they are looking for or at least ultimately be able to substitute something else for it.

Enneagram Type 7 Growth

As the type seven person seeks whatever they think may make them happy they tend to speed up the rate at which they seek experiences.

However, as they do so they also have a tendency to make worse choices as a result of the dissatisfaction they feel when they increasingly find the things they have experienced are not bringing them what they had hoped for.

They are also less likely to achieve satisfaction as they increasingly experience life at a past mental pace.

This results in them becoming frustrated, anxious, and enraged as well as physically, emotionally, and financially drained.

Despite this, the type seven individual is largely an optimistic and upbeat person with a desire to make the most of life.

By nature they are good-humored and do not take anything too seriously, reminding those around them of the joy to be found in life.

Enneagram Type 7 Characteristics & Traits

  • Very active and on the go
  • Wide range of interests
  • Childlike enthusiasm
  • Childlike energy
  • Fun-loving
  • Active
  • Lively
  • Curiosity
  • Sparkling eyes
  • Many ongoing projects
  • Great at the beginning of a creative process or project
  • Practicality
  • Anticipatory
  • Upbeat
  • Optimistic
  • Popular
  • Busy
  • Seeks variety
  • Spontaneous
  • Versatile
  • Fear boredom
  • Fear sadness
  • Bold
  • Vivacious
  • Good manual dexterity
  • Excellent mind-body coordination
  • Struggle with good decision making
  • Frustration
  • Rage

Enneagram Type 7 Examples?

There are numerous famous examples of type seven personalities throughout history, including:

Discover Your Personality Type Today →