How to Improve Self-Discipline at Work, By Enneagram Type

While the Enneagram is better known as a tool for personal growth and understanding, it can tell us a lot about our work habits and how we can improve them. One such habit is self-discipline. This soft skill is all about the ability to stay focused, motivated and on track towards our goals, even when faced with distractions or challenges. Employers highly value employees with strong self-discipline, so it makes sense to want to improve in this area.

Here's what that might look like for each Enneagram type.

Type 1: The Perfectionist

Type Ones are known for being highly principled and goal-oriented individuals. They have high standards for themselves and those around them, making it easy for them to stay disciplined when it comes to work. If anything, they can be too disciplined, to the point where toxic perfectionism takes over, work becomes their life, and fun goes out the window.

To improve self-discipline, Type 1s should:

• Set realistic goals: While having high standards is admirable, it's important for Type 1s to set SMART (specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound) goals. Don't spend five days working and reworking a project to perfection when two days would get the job done just as well.
• Take breaks: It sounds counterintuitive. The more you work, the more you'll  get done, right? Wrong. Type 1s push themselves to the point where they cannot see the wood for the trees anymore. Taking a break will give you some perspective and help you focus on the things that are important, not  the tiny details that no one else will notice.

Type 2: The Giver

For nurturing and empathetic Type Twos, your self-discipline can fall by the wayside when you put everyone else's needs above your own. You may struggle to stay focused and motivated on your own work when everyone else needs you so much. Or rather, when you think they do. 

To improve self-discipline, Type 2s should:

• Create boundaries: You are so used to saying yes to every request and going above and beyond for others that you forget to prioritize your own needs. Saying no doesn't make you selfish; it allows you to take care of yourself so that you can better help others in the long run.
• Stick to a schedule: Type 2s often juggle multiple tasks at once and may benefit from a more linear approach. By creating a schedule and sticking to it, you can ensure that you have time for both work and self-care and don't feel so overwhelmed by constantly shifting priorities.

Type 3: The Achiever

Self-discipline is not high on the Type Three's list of personal improvement goals because, for them, it's already a natural strength. However, their constant focus on achieving can lead to workaholism and burnout. And their desire for success can sometimes lead them to take on too much or cut corners in the pursuit of efficiency.

To improve self-discipline, Type 3s should:

• Celebrate progress, not just achievements: While Type Threes are excellent at setting and reaching goals, they often overlook the small accomplishments along the way. You did great, so take a moment to bask in your progress before moving on to the next project.
• Set healthy boundaries: Figure out what you want and need and create protective boundaries around those things, whether it be personal time or work expectations. This will help you avoid overcommitting to look good, rather than to do good work.

Type 4: The Individualist

Type Fours can struggle with self-discipline because they often follow their inspiration, feelings and creative muse rather than sticking to a rigid schedule. This can lead to procrastination and difficulty staying focused on less exciting tasks.

To improve self-discipline, Type 4s should:

• Break down tasks into smaller steps: To you, it sounds like trite advice, but when faced with a big project or task that doesn't excite you, breaking it down into smaller, more manageable steps can help you stay motivated—you only have to spend 60, 90 minutes on this one dull task, and then you can move on.
• Find inspiration within the task: Is the task truly boring or are you just missing the creative spark? Try to find a way to make the task more interesting or challenging, whether it's through competition with yourself or finding a new angle to approach it from.

Type 5: The Investigator

Type Fives are known for their analytical minds and knowledge-seeking. This can make them highly disciplined when it comes to research and intellectual pursuits but not as much when it comes to practical tasks or delivering on a tight deadline. There's discipline inside your head but not always when it comes to the external world.

To improve self-discipline, Type 5s should:

• Set realistic timelines: Type Fives can get lost in the pursuit of knowledge and may underestimate how much time a task will take. Set a realistic deadline and don't go overboard with the research. 
• Pick one project and stick to it: You can start multiple projects to keep things interesting but, at some point, you must commit to one and see it through. Make a pact with yourself to not start anything new until you finish your current project.

Type 6: The Skeptic

For Type Sixes, self-discipline can be a challenge because their minds are constantly running through "what if" scenarios and anticipating potential problems. This can cause them to procrastinate or struggle with finishing tasks, especially if there's urgency or pressure involved.

To improve self-discipline, Type 6s should:

• Make projects as safe as possible. By that, we mean building in plenty of time to complete the tasks, as well as planning for any potential setbacks or obstacles that may arise. This can help ease anxiety and allow you to focus on the work at hand without worrying about what could go wrong.
• Utilize a decision-making framework: Stop your tendency to overthink by creating a structured decision-making framework that includes criteria for evaluating options and potential outcomes. For instance, list the pros and cons of a decision and assign a weight to each factor based on importance. That will help you take action with greater confidence.

Type 7: The Enthusiast

Type Sevens have a lot of energy and are always looking for the next exciting experience. This can make it challenging to stay disciplined and focused on long-term goals, as they may get bored or distracted by new opportunities.

To improve self-discipline, Type 7s should:

• Use tools and accountability partners: Apps, planners, and accountability partners can help Type Sevens stay on track and focused. Set goals and create a system to track your progress and reward yourself when you reach milestones.
• Change your environment: If you find yourself getting easily distracted, hit a coffee shop or library. This small change can satisfy your need for novelty enough to keep you focused on your task.

Type 8: The Challenger

Type Eights have a love/hate relationship with discipline. Their assertiveness and desire for control makes them one of the most naturally self-motivated types. At the same time, they can be resistant to rules and schedules, leading them to prioritize their own agendas over meeting expectations.

To improve self-discipline, Type 8s should:

• Align work goals and personal goals. If you can see the personal benefit of completing a task or project, you will be more motivated to follow through.
• Delegate. Type Eights tend to take on a lot of responsibility, which can lead to burnout and disregard for commitments. Learn to delegate tasks when possible to avoid overwhelming yourself.

Type 9: The Peacemaker

Type Nines  have a lot of self-discipline when the world around them is calm and zen. But as soon as things get chaotic or tense, they can get swept away by the drama and trying to mediate other people's conflicts.

To improve self-discipline, Type 9s should:

• Walk away. While your instinct is to actively keep the peace, sometimes the best thing you can do is walk away from a situation or conversation that could derail your focus and productivity.
• Set boundaries. Type Nines tend to be people pleasers, which can lead to overcommitment and feeling overwhelmed. Practice saying no when necessary and setting boundaries around your time and energy.

Bottom line? Self-discipline is not a one-size-fits-all solution. It may take some trial and error to find the strategies that work best for you. Understanding your Enneagram type and tendencies is a great place to start since it can help you identify potential roadblocks and find ways to stay motivated and focused on your goals. Even for the most self-disciplined individuals, there will always be room for improvement, and the results are worth it in the end.