I’ve been appreciating Liz Wagele’s view on careers and the Enneagram.  This piece on Ones was helpful in giving me a glimpse into the worldview of my mother.  While she did not work, she had a specific vision for her children and husband…I found it both useful and limiting even before I knew the Enneagram.  

She writes:

Perfectionists want to carry out their ideals, which can come in many forms. Some are interested in making details perfect. Others care about being organized or organizing their work environment. Still others want to make reforms and make the world a better place.

My mother is a self-preservation One, so her ideals were focused on the capacity to support one’s family, organizing the home and workspace, and finding work that also allowed one to have time for close relationships.  Success was valued, but workaholism was frowned upon.   It’s helpful to map the unique way type shows up in each person so that we don’t reduce ourselves to one simplistic caricature.