What is ONE thing you struggle with most when it comes to work? I would safely assume your answer is the same as mine, and many others: maintaining the oh-so-tricky work-life balance.  

It's a common struggle that many of us face - trying to balance the demands of work with our personal lives. It's not always easy, and I can understand how frustrating and exhausting it can be. But the good news is that there are solutions out there, just waiting for you to tap into them. One way that has helped me is understanding myself through the Enneagram.  

As someone who has struggled with balancing my home life and work life for nearly two decades, I can confidently say that discovering the Enneagram has been a game-changer. Understanding myself and what motivates me to have priorities that are unique to me has allowed me to set necessary boundaries I need to thrive both at home and work.  

Why Does Work-Life Control Matter? 

Work-life control, not balance, is essential for our overall well-being and happiness. It refers to the ability to control the time and energy we devote to our work AND the time and energy we devote to our personal lives, including our family, friends, hobbies, and self-care. When we achieve the ability to maintain a healthy control between work and life, we can experience a greater sense of fulfillment, reduce stress and burnout, and improve our physical and mental health.  

On the other hand, when we neglect our personal lives in favor of work or vice versa, we can experience negative consequences such as fatigue, stress, anxiety, and even physical health problems. In addition, neglecting our personal lives can also hurt our relationships with family and friends, leading to feelings of isolation and loneliness. In today's fast-paced and demanding world, achieving a work-life balance can be challenging, but it is essential for our well-being and happiness. By finding work-life control that works for us and making it a priority, we can lead a more fulfilling and satisfying life both personally and professionally. This is the entire mission of Brave Enough, and what I devote hundreds of hours to a year – helping women find work life control. 

And the good news is that you can do it. If you are longing for that work-life balance, this is the reset button that you need: the Brave Enough Women's CME Conference 2023. AND there are a limited number of scholarships to help make this event accessible to everyone.  Spread the word and let's make this an opportunity for everyone to be a part of! 

Ever Heard of Enneagram? 

The Enneagram is a personality assessment that categorizes individuals into nine distinct types, each with unique motivations, fears, and behaviors. While the Enneagram can be used for many purposes, including personal growth and development, it has been instrumental in helping me achieve better work-life control.  

As an Enneagram enthusiast, I can attest to the profound impact this personality system has had on my life. It has not only helped me understand myself better but has also brought a sense of balance to both my work and home life. I firmly believe that the Enneagram can be a game-changer for anyone looking to achieve a more fulfilling and harmonious existence. 

Another significant benefit I've experienced is the heightened sense of self-awareness that comes with understanding my Enneagram type. By identifying my core motivations and tendencies, I have been able to gain insight into my strengths, weaknesses, and motivations, which has allowed me to become more conscious of my thoughts, behaviors, and emotions. 

Are you curious about your Enneagram Type but feeling unsure where to start? I've got a treat for you - an entire season of the Brave Enough Show Podcast dedicated solely to the Enneagram! Get ready to dive deep and learn more about yourself and the Enneagram. Don't miss out - tune into Season 7. Start with THIS episode and listen to the 9 episodes that follow, as I break down the 9 types and deep dive on each one.  

3 Ways to Harness Work-Life Balance Through Enneagram 

Discover how the Enneagram can help you achieve a better work-life balance with these three powerful strategies. From gaining self-awareness to communicating more effectively and overcoming limiting beliefs, these tips will help you harness the power of the Enneagram to achieve greater balance and fulfillment in all areas of your life. 

A Medium for Self-Awareness 

Before discovering the Enneagram, I often found myself acting on autopilot, unaware of why I was making certain decisions or reacting in certain ways. I struggled with communication and often felt frustrated when I couldn't effectively express myself to others. However, by understanding my Enneagram type, I was able to identify the root causes of my behavior, which allowed me to make more intentional decisions and communicate more effectively with others. 

In the workplace, self-awareness is particularly important. As a physician, I have found that understanding my Enneagram type allowed me to identify areas where I excel and where I need to improve. Additionally, understanding the Enneagram types of my colleagues has allowed me to be more empathetic and understanding of their unique perspectives and motivations. By recognizing that everyone has different strengths and weaknesses, I've been able to better support my team members, and foster a more positive and productive work environment. 

The Enneagram is a powerful tool for gaining self-awareness, which can lead to improved decision-making, communication, and conflict resolution. By understanding your Enneagram type, you will gain insight into your strengths and weaknesses, which can help you become more intentional in your actions and more effective in your relationships with others. Whether you're in the workplace or at home, self-awareness is a crucial component of a fulfilling and harmonious life, and the Enneagram can be an invaluable tool for achieving it. 

Do you wish you could increase your self-awareness and truly listen to what your body and mind are telling you? My Breathing Room Course can help. It is designed to help you connect with yourself on a deeper level, giving you the techniques you need to achieve greater self-awareness and mindfulness.  

Provides Thorough Understanding of Others 

As someone who has spent a significant amount of time studying the Enneagram, I can say with confidence that one of its most valuable applications is in helping us understand the people around us. By learning about the different Enneagram types, we gain insight into the motivations and behaviors of our colleagues, friends, and family members, which can help us build stronger relationships, improve communication, and avoid misunderstandings. 

One of the key benefits of understanding the Enneagram types of those around us is that it allows us to empathize with them more effectively. Each Enneagram type has unique strengths and weaknesses, and by recognizing these qualities in others, we can better understand them. For example, if I have a colleague who is a Type 2, I know that they tend to be very helpful and supportive of others, but may struggle with setting boundaries or advocating for themselves. By recognizing this tendency, I can approach our interactions with a greater understanding of their perspective, and take steps to ensure that their contributions are valued and recognized.

Similarly, if I'm working with someone who is a Type 5, I know that they tend to be very analytical and detail-oriented, but may struggle with expressing their emotions or working collaboratively with others. By recognizing these tendencies, I can adjust my communication style to be more data-driven and structured, and take steps to build trust and rapport with them over time. Through time, I realized that understanding the Enneagram types of those around me leads to more effective feedback and a more positive work environment. It allowed me to tailor my feedback to be more constructive and impactful and create a culture of mutual respect and support with others.  

Understanding begins with yourself. It is a crucial step towards understanding others. By taking the time to connect with ourselves, we can gain insight into our thoughts, feelings, and behaviors, which can help us relate better to those around us. If you are looking for an amazing way to gain a deeper understanding of others, The Brave Enough Retreat for Women Physicians is for you. This incredible retreat is designed to help you cultivate self-compassion and empathy for others in a supportive and uplifting environment. Through a series of workshops, discussions, and community-building activities, you'll learn valuable skills and techniques for connecting with others on a deeper level and building meaningful relationships. 

Overcome Limiting Beliefs 

For me, the pursuit of excellence has always been a double-edged sword - on the one hand, it motivates me to work hard and strive for success. But on the other hand, it can cause me a great deal of stress and anxiety when things don't go according to plan. 

Through my Enneagram journey, I've learned to recognize when my perfectionism is getting out of hand. I've become more aware of the underlying fears and beliefs that drive my need for perfection, and I've started to challenge them. For example, I used to believe that making mistakes was a sign of failure and weakness. But now, I'm learning to see mistakes as opportunities for growth and learning. By challenging these beliefs, I've been able to achieve a greater sense of balance and fulfillment in both my personal and professional life. I no longer feel like I have to be perfect all the time - instead, I'm learning to embrace my imperfections and recognize my worth regardless of my achievements. 

Of course, overcoming limiting beliefs is not always easy. It takes time, effort, and a willingness to be vulnerable and honest with yourself. But the Enneagram provides a framework for understanding the underlying patterns and motivations that drive our behaviors. By using this framework to examine our thoughts and beliefs, we can start to break free from the limitations that hold us back and achieve a greater sense of balance and fulfillment in our lives. 

If you're struggling to break free from limiting beliefs, coaching might be exactly what you need! The Enneagram can be complex, and that's where working with an Enneagram coach can benefit you. A coach can provide personalized guidance and support, as well as a more accurate assessment of your type. Trust me, having a coach was a game-changer for me. I know from personal experience how helpful it can be, which is why I became a certified Enneagram coach myself. If you're interested in coaching or attending one of my Enneagram retreats, get in touch with me HERE. 

How Can Enneagram Help? 

As an individual seeking balance in both my work and home life, I have found that the Enneagram is my most powerful tool. The Enneagram has provided me with valuable insight into my motivations, fears, and tendencies, helping me to better understand myself and others. This has allowed me to communicate more effectively and build more meaningful connections with those around me.  

Ready to uncover more about yourself and embark on a journey of self-discovery? Take the Enneagram assessment now and explore the fascinating insights it can provide! Click HERE to get started. By using the Enneagram as a guide, you can achieve greater balance and fulfillment in all areas of your life too. Just exactly how I successfully went through it. 

The Enneagram and Its Greatness 

Through the years of exploring my Enneagram type, I knew myself even better. It allowed me to take control of my life and pursue my goals with greater clarity and purpose. Through the Enneagram, I have learned to embrace my unique personality and recognize that my strengths and weaknesses are an essential part of who I am. I have come to understand that my Enneagram type is not a label or a limitation but an invitation to explore the depths of my soul and uncover my true potential. 

With so many people whom I have guided with Enneagram, I have learned to appreciate the diversity and complexity of human nature. I have come to see that each person has a unique path to personal growth and that by supporting and encouraging one another, we can all reach our full potential. 

Ultimately, the Enneagram has been a source of inspiration and guidance on my journey of self-discovery. It has taught me to live more authentically, embrace my strengths and weaknesses, and approach life with curiosity, compassion, and humility. I am grateful for the Enneagram and the transformational impact it has had on my life, and I look forward to continuing to explore its teachings and insights for years to come, this time, with YOU. 

Sister, believe me, the possibilities with Enneagram are endless, and I can't wait to see what we can achieve together!