The Enneagram Type 7: The Entertaining Optimist

The Enneagram Collection #7

by Beth McCord

The Enneagram Collection is for anyone who wants to have a deeper understanding of their Enneagram type. The Enneagram Type 7: The Entertaining Optimist is an interactive book that focuses on those who have a core desire to be happy, satisfied, and content. The book explores the unique motivations, longings, strengths, and weaknesses of a Type 7. The Enneagram Type 7: The Entertaining Optimist is a great self-assessment resource for all spheres of life, Author Beth McCord teaches readers how to transform self-limiting behaviors into life-enhancing personal empowerment. Books from The Enneagram Collection are great for anyone newly interested in the Enneagram or longtime Enneagram enthusiasts. Inside readers will This ancient personality typing system identifies nine types of people and how they relate to one another. The system helps people discover what motivates them, their fears, and how best to interact with others. Not a Type 7 or want to learn about the other Enneagram types? Check out the rest of The Enneagram Collection by Enneagram coach, author, and speaker Beth McCord.

Genres: Self Help, Nonfiction

160 pages, Hardcover

First published December 10, 2019

About the author

Beth McCord, founder of Your Enneagram Coach, has been an Enneagram speaker, coach, and teacher for more than fifteen years. Having been trained by the best Enneagram experts and pouring hundreds of hours into advanced certifications, Beth is passionate about coming alongside individuals and helping them rewrite their story, allowing them to see that lasting change, meaningful relationships, and a life of deep purpose are possible. Beth lives outside of Nashville and has been married to her best friend, Jeff, for 23 years, and they have two teenage children.

Reviews

[Chylton · Rating 3 out of 5]

My expectations were very high for this book when I found out it was going to be published. I love the enneagram and have always wanted an enneagram devo specific to my number. This one is ok. It's more for beginners than anything else. I thought it was going to be a bit more deeper for those that have been exposed to the enneagram for awhile. It's well written and helps you to think a bit more about who you are, how God created you and see you.

I still learned somethings and would recommend it to someone just starting out and looking for a great source of information and personal growth with the enneagram.

[Benjamin Hall · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book could have been combined

I like this book as this is my character number and the book has the the perspective as to how that understanding ourselves can help us adjust our approach to becoming more like Christ. The Numbers could’ve been combined into one book though. That is the reason I took away one star.

[Sherilee · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was an insightful book on learning more about my Enneagram type. I learned a lot about my personality type and got a lot of insight of me.
I was a little disappoint that it was marketed as a devotional idea. But had very little Christianity in it. It was just simple phrases here and there. There was no good scriptural instructions.

[Rachel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Almost couldn’t believe how accurate these descriptions of my personality type were (both the good and “areas for growth“). I’d encourage anyone to explore the Enneagram as a way to better understand why they tend to act the way they do. I didn’t agree completely with every descriptor, but I definitely found solid truth and encouragement in this book. It isn’t trying to “fix” anyone’s personality but rather lead to greater self-awareness. Shout out to my dear friend Alison for this great gift!

[Jennifer Buczynski · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed the teaching but honestly the questions were not motivating or interesting. They were difficult to answer and ...dare I say, boring? lol. As an enneagram 7 you'd think they'd make the questions a little more interesting to answer. This was a very basic level enneagram 7 book, which was also a little disappointing. So overall not an awesome book although I did learn a little about my core longing and really identified with it.

[Aubrey · Rating 2 out of 5]

What it is: A Christian daily devotional that covers the basics of Enneagram type 7.

Essentially just restates the particulars of Type 7 through a Christian lens. If you are already familiar with your Enneagram type, don’t expect to learn anything new.

Just a heads up, the author repeats herself a lot. Takes a bit of patience.

[Virginiagardengal · Rating 2 out of 5]

Disappointing. Too much general info, not enough deep dive into the specific type. If you read more than one of these (which I did), you will find that much of the book is copied and pasted, so all the books have the same text on generalities in common.

[Emily Sachs · Rating 5 out of 5]

"If you're a realist, you are assertive and ambitious. You have intense energy and care less about what others think than the Entertainer does. Confident and optimistic, you have an innovative spirit to overcome and obstacle or failure. With a quick mind, persistence, and tenacity, you know how to strategize to get what you want. When you are struggling, you can be a workaholic and an adrenaline seeker. You may be direct, demanding and aggressive with those who stand in your way, and find conflicts stimulating. You are strong-willed and fiercely independent." (82)

I am mighty thankful for this book and the ways it has challenged me and changed me. It was a slow read for me, I picked it up on and off for two years. Quotes like the one above made me feel incredibly seen and known. I am putting this book back on the shelf with more assurance of who God is and who He created me to be.

[Becky Bausman · Rating 3 out of 5]

I am a/ not a Christian and b/ not a believer in the idea of a benevolent God. But my boss and HR exec both love the enneagram model and encouraged me to examine my 7 type. I’m glad I did. While the religious stuff does little for me the personality insights indeed seem spot on and incredibly helpful to understand.

[Ryan George · Rating 1 out of 5]

This small book made me wonder how much of it Beth McCord copied and pasted from the other books in the series. This content proved nowhere near as practical or insightful as other resources I’ve encountered. That might be because I absorbed it as an audiobook, and I think it was meant to be more of a workbook with discussion or introspection prompts.

[Jordan Carlson]

I did not find this book terribly helpful.

[Becky Ames · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this one because my husband is a 7. As I read it I could totally see him so many times. I pray it helps me understand him better & relate to him more.

[Catherine Brown · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really helpful.

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love the way this book is organized as a daily reading with reflection questions.