The Story of You: An Enneagram Journey to Becoming Your True Self – The Psychotherapist's Guide to Inner Transformation and Authentic Freedom

by Ian Morgan Cron

“Insightful, humorous, practical, this book will not only help you understand the story you’re telling yourself but also reveal a new story that allows you to love better.”— Russell Moore, director of the Public Theology Project at Christianity Today In this powerful, transformational guide, the author of the bestselling book The Road Back to You breaks new ground with the Enneagram—the ancient personality typing system—by revealing how each of us inhabits a broken story that runs counter to the Larger Story of divine grace and who we were created to be. Drawing on his training as a psychotherapist and his own personal experience, Ian Cron explains how you With this powerful tool, Cron shows us how each type can shed their broken stories and harness their unique power within to become who we are truly meant to be, shedding the unhappiness we accumulate by trying to live out of the wrong story. Filled with examples from people whose lives have been transformed for the better, Cron maps out a guide for using Enneagram wisdom to reauthor your life and experience deep inner transformation, healing, and happiness. Rewrite the story of you and find the freedom in becoming your true self!

Genres: Nonfiction, Self Help, Psychology, Personal Development, Christian, Audiobook, Spirituality

224 pages, Paperback

First published December 1, 2021

About the author

Ian Morgan Cron is a bestselling author, nationally recognized speaker, Enneagram teacher, trained psychotherapist, Dove Award–winning songwriter, and Episcopal priest. His books include the novel Chasing Francis and spiritual memoir Jesus, My Father, the CIA, and Me. Ian draws on an array of disciplines—from psychology to the arts, Christian spirituality and theology—to help people enter more deeply into conversation with God and the mystery of their own lives. He and his wife, Anne, live in Nashville, Tennessee.

Reviews

[Margaret Mechinus · Rating 3 out of 5]

I only read the chapter about myself, a solid nine.
But here’s what I will remember-
“The sloth is the perfect mascot for the sleepwalking Nine, whose old story involves hiding from conflict, staying in one place to avoid change, and acting like they are fine with whatever is going on around them. They’re like the human embodiment of Newton’s first law- an object at rest wants to stay at rest.”

Have a “totem”- a reminder that refocuses your attention on the present moment.

Make a list of all your default numbing strategies- online surfing. games, podcasts, eating, binge waiting TV. Chose one to work on eliminating.

Review your regular habits and routines and make at least one change.

When Nines learn to stop ruminating, they can start spending time on things that bring more peace, love, joy, into their lives.

[Christian Schultheiss · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ian Cron’s literary voice is one I not only find intriguing and agreeably sensible but also one that is clearly informative and compassionate and in many ways even though this specific shorter expanded dive into the world of Enneagrams I’m finally getting to fully understand and grasp, it was through my interest in him more as an author that’s drawn me in to hopefully read through his entire back catalog. Truly I just admire that ways he shows the beauty in ever point of the system, while not shying away from the wary more negative tendencies every group must perceiver through or face in and along their own journey of internal self discovery. 3.5/5

[Astrid · Rating 2 out of 5]

It’s quite a white cis religious man fluff piece. The book is religiously uncomfortable and the author finds some way to tie everything back to god. A majority of the advice offered is shallow and frankly unhelpful. The author also does not go into the creation of the enneagram, give credit to the original creator or go further than the numbers and describing them. There are far better books related to self improvement and enneagrams than this, that aren’t religiously uncomfortable or white man spoofy.

[Dana Vaden · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a sheer joy to read. Sparkling writing, quick pace, great stories and colorful illustrations of each type kept me turning the pages. I laughed at Ian’s wry wit and sharp observations, cried at the heartbreaking vulnerability he shares from his own life, and nodded my assent to his central message: our old stories are keeping us stuck, and better stories are the key to moving forward.

I am loving the enneagram literature that is emerging, built around growth and transformation rather than simple type diagnosis, and this book is no exception. Ian’s authentic, approachable writing reaches out and takes the reader by the hand. He offers a ton of encouragement, by way of prayers, mantras, inspirational quotes, and his own keen insights, that change IS possible. He also provides helpful tools for examining and rewriting our tired old narratives, as well as for taking immediate action against patterns that keep us stuck. He offers simple, practical advice for helping us “grow into our freedom.”

But don’t let the simplicity fool you - this is a very deep book not meant for enneagram beginners. Seeing patterns that have been ingrained in us since childhood is no easy feat, much less taking action to change them. Ian provides great stories of people from each type who have done just that, breaking down and illustrating his tools in each of their stories. The book made me hungry for his companion study guide, and its additional guidance and opportunities to break down and rewrite aspects of my own story.

“You were given something beautiful when you were given you, “ Ian writes. “Something wants to be born into the world through your life.” What perfect encouragement as we start a new year - to open ourselves to the possibility of a new and better story. Highly recommended.

A big thanks to NetGalley for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

[Oceana Reads Co. · Rating 3 out of 5]

Great for more general insight, especially into the childhood experience of each type.

[Cara Putman · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great summary of enneagram and how to use it to help step into your full story with God.

[Bobby Valentine · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am new to the enneagram so I thought this book was great for general information on the enneagram types from a Christian perspective. Beyond the general descriptions, it gives basic assessments on how each enneagram type can learn to grow into healthier habits and thought patterns and grow into believing a new story about yourself. I thought it was pretty cool! It gave me a better understanding of my own enneagram type, what I can do to grow and avoid falling back into my old “story”, and helped me understand the other enneagram types in the same way.

[Emily · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was really disappointed in this book. The Road Back to You is one of my favorite books, but this one didn’t live up to it. I found this book tiresome and drawn out. I don’t feel like I learned much more about the enneagram or learned much about myself. I wanted this book to be just as life-changing as The Road Back to You and it definitely wasn’t. It wasn’t even close.

[Marcelo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Everyone has a story, whether that’s the story they tell others or tell themselves. Cron exposes the different stories of each enneagram type and reminds his readers that through it all there’s a greater and larger story at play. I appreciate hearing these stories, it helps me reflect on my own.

[Jaymie · Rating 4 out of 5]

[I received a free electronic review copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.]

4.5 stars = I loved it! Would re-read.

This is a great second tier Enneagram resource, perfectly paired with an introduction through The Road Back to You. I loved the emphasis here on story - the broken, limiting stories we have told ourselves for years as well as the path to new stories for health and growth. This is a great example of how podcasts and books can weave together - the author uses podcast guests and stories as part of the foundation of the book but cites the episodes so readers can check those out if they haven't already heard them. Brilliant!

This is the sort of engaging resource where you don't just skip ahead to your own number, but you read each one because the stories are so good and the writing is so conversational and fun. Highly recommend.

[Katie Sandy-smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoy Ian Morgan Cron’s writing style and his way of discussing the enneagram. This book made me want to send the pages for each number to people in my life and yell at them to read it and fix their life. It gave me a lot of things to interrogate within myself as well even as I’m always trying to be introspective and healthy as a 7.

[Abby Wu · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another great enneagram book from Ian Morgan Cron! I do think that Cron's book "The Road Back to You" is a more comprehensive study on learning and understanding more about your specific enneagram type. This new book is very complimentary to the first, delving even deeper into childhood and early developmental patterns. The book also helps to describe how to change your narrative and create a new story.

If you're new to the enneagram, I would suggest reading "The Road Back to You" and then definitely read this one!

[Terry Combs · Rating 5 out of 5]

Outstanding look at how we all process the lives we have lived and are living. Cron uses stories from his own life and the stories of many others to provide powerful examples and insights into the fragility, and power, of the human condition. I highly recommend this for everyone, and look forward to further exploration of the enneagram. I would also highly recommend his podcast "Typology" which features guests sharing their personal challenges and victories.

[Lindsay Rossum · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love how Cron presents the enneagram as each person’s broken story about the way they must be in the world to be loved and accepted. While these behavior patterns form as a way of coping in childhood, they no longer serve us in adulthood. Cron offers concrete strategies for each of the 9 types to begin re-writing their stories in light of God’s truth and to experience deep transformation.

[Lori · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ian Cron is a very entertaining writer. I have read all of his books and enjoyed every one of them. As a fan of enneagram wisdom, I found a lot of this book to be very helpful as Cron provided many examples of each enneagram type. It was not only helpful to read about my number, but very useful to read about the other numbers as I know someone representing each number.

[Jenni Welsch · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was such a great read to learn about both myself and so many people in my life who have studied and discovered their Enneagram numbers. I was underlining like a fiend during it! I plan to revisit the ideas from this one often because they are such good reminders of that even though we can't change the past, we don't have to live stuck in it forever either.

[Lisa Lewton · Rating 4 out of 5]

Just as good as A Road to You. I listened to the audio, read by the author. I liked the stories he incorporated from the Typology podcast. For anyone more in the beginning stages of learning the enneagram, this is a great resource.

[Leslie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Learning origin stories for each type increased my Enneagram knowledge. It's helpful to have some idea of what and where others are operating from, especially those that haven't done any work. It strengthens my compassion for others and puts more tools in my bag.

[Maryssa Boyd · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked the organization of this book and its emphasis on story. It was a simple, helpful depiction of what the journey toward wholeness can look like for each Enneagram type.

[Meredith · Rating 4 out of 5]

Helpful look at the stories associated with our Enneagram number. While I don’t relate to everything about my number I enjoyed this approach to looking at the Enneagram.

[Amy Knaul · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good book for insights on your mindset and how you frame how you see life. Short and easy to read but lacked much depth.

[Erica Lyn · Rating 3 out of 5]

Some interesting insights. The book is heavily Christian influenced. It wasn’t too distracting until the last chapter, which was the weakest in the book.

[Taylor Chitwood · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was definitely similar enough to The Road Back to You that I couldn’t give it 5 stars. The first three chapter Types were also very story-focused whereas the last Types were more focused on the Type’s descriptions, which was frustrating. But past that frustration, it was easy to read and had tons of LOL-moments as Ian’s stuff always does. I also love that Ian often uses atypical genders for the Types - i.e. a female 8 and a male 9 example(s) for the Type chapter “story.” He’s always very good at encouraging female 8s (I am one) and I always walk away from his books and podcasts feeling super validated. And I’ll forever appreciate his willingness to bring up hard things that can affect Types such as race, gender, and economic class.

[Grace · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was quite excited for this book and the beginning was interesting but quickly went downhill. The information could have been organized different and/or provided better distinction between the enneagrams because i definitely started thinking I’m all of the enneagrams. Or maybe that was intentional so it would convince you to buy a test off Cron’s site to see which one you are. I did also feel like this book named dropped a bit too much, and the book felt like a marketing tool for his other products.

[Nathan Harris · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thoroughly enjoyed this read. A refresher of the Enneagram helps me grow in self compassion and empathy for others. Ian does a beautiful job of illustrating how our broken stories, which once protected us, can be redeemed and rewritten into the larger story God has for us.

[Marie Miller · Rating 5 out of 5]

The best book I've read on the Ennegram thus far. Cannot wait to get my hands on the written copy. It was an enjoyable and thought provoking listen. But this book deserves a slow read followed by a ton of prayer and journaling.

[Liz Loy · Rating 3 out of 5]

I wasn’t in love with this one as I was The Road Back To You. Practical applications of a 4 step transition from each type’s Passion to Virtue. I have a few takeaways but probably wouldn’t read this one again.

[Ellie Kalafut · Rating 5 out of 5]

idk hwo to rate this kind of book lol but enneagram is healing and i’ll talk for hours about it

[Lori Margo · Rating 5 out of 5]

A really good overview of the Enneagram. I thoroughly enjoyed this one.

[Tim Ellis · Rating 3 out of 5]

It had an interesting take on the Enneagram with the idea of us changing the story will learnt as a defense mechanism in childhood. That story which was helpful then is harmful for our growth now and so we need to write a new one. For me I found the last two pages on my Enneagram type the most beneficial pages in the book as they gave really practical ideas that were a bit more fleshed out than the “Road back to you” book. In saying that, overall, “the road back to you” is a better book for someone getting into the enneagram for the first time.