Sometimes purpose doesn’t fill the room. Sometimes purpose is fully present in the room you’re given.
Yesterday, I wasn’t sure today’s workshop would happen. Seven cancellations came in the day before.
For a little while, I wondered: Do I still run it? Is the group too small? Does it make sense? Something in me said: Yes.
And tonight, after facilitating the second Discovering the Enneagram: A Journey Inward workshop, I am so grateful I listened.
Because today reminded me that impact isn’t always measured by how many chairs are filled. Sometimes it is measured by the conversations that happen in those chairs.
We spent the day exploring four deceptively simple questions:
Who am I?
We explored the nine Enneagram types – not as labels or boxes, but as patterns that can help us understand ourselves more deeply.
Why do I do what I do?
We moved beneath behaviour to motivation. Because two people can do exactly the same thing for completely different reasons.
How do I grow?
We explored our strengths – and what happens when those strengths become overused. We looked at wings, emotional patterns, and how greater self-awareness can give us more choice instead of simply reacting from our habitual patterns.
How do I better understand others?
We explored the three Centres of Intelligence – head, heart and gut – and the nine different “rooms” from which people can experience the world.
And then we talked about what really matters: What will I do differently because I understand myself – and others – a little better?
Participants captured the day beautifully:
“An excellent introduction to the Enneagram and I am intrigued to learn more. The workshop helped me understand why I do what I do. It helped me understand my strengths and weaknesses and how best to relate to people around me. Loved the discussions and exercises on what I will do differently to grow and improve.”
That feedback stopped me. Because that is exactly why I created this workshop. Not so people can walk away saying, “I’m a 2” or “I’m a 7.”
But so they can begin asking:
Why do I respond this way?
What am I protecting?
When does one of my greatest strengths become an overused strength?
How might someone I love experience the world completely differently from me?
And now that I can see my patterns, what choices do I want to make differently?
Today there was a mother and son learning together. Two friends. One participant who I have known for longer than I’ve known Nagib! There was curiosity, vulnerability, laughter, reflection and some wonderful “aha” moments.
There were also fresh bagels for breakfast and fabulous sandwiches for lunch – because apparently self-awareness requires carbohydrates.
My dream for this project remains audacious: to make this learning accessible to 10,000 people. But today reminded me not to become so focused on the 10,000 that I miss the person sitting right in front of me.
Today wasn’t a large workshop. It was a meaningful one. And driving home, I had this overwhelming feeling:
I am living my purpose. Helping people understand themselves more deeply. Helping us understand one another with greater compassion.
Creating spaces where insight can become choice – and choice can become growth.
Yesterday, I was counting cancellations. Tonight, I am counting blessings.
