The world would be a better place to live in if only we could begin to fathom why the boss is being unpleasant, why your partner is grumpy or why you lost the plot just because of some trivial mishap.
The enneagram structure, which describes nine distinct personality types, is the perfect tool to better understand yourself and empathise with those around you.
Sue Mifsud Midolo, who graduated MA in pastoral counselling and studied the enneagram in depth at the University of Loyola in Chicago, explained that the fundamental premise of the enneagram is that each of us has one dominant, though not exclusive, energy that drives us in everything we do.
This study, which has been used for centuries as a tool to enhance self-discovery, was taken up by the Jesuits and developed in the US and worldwide in the 1970s.
The enneagram is a remarkably accurate map of our inner geography. It is distinguished from much of modern psychology in that it illustrates our inner motivations and our behaviour only secondarily.
"In a nutshell, the enneagram helps you to learn more about yourself and why you react in certain ways when faced with particular situations as well as better understand what makes others tick," she said in an interview.
Ms Mifsud Midolo, who is also assistant head at St Catherine's School and a pastoral counsellor, will be giving a three-day workshop on the benefits of the enneagram.
The workshop, which will be held at the In Process clinic between November 26-28, is intended for those who wish to learn more about their personality type and the path towards further growth.
In Process, situated in Valley Road, Birkirkara, is a clinic which provides a series of professional services such as counselling, couple and family therapy, help for children and groups.
Ms Mifsud Midolo said the whole debate in psychology was whether the human being was born with certain traits or if these were developed along the way.
"We definitely have genetic predispositions. However, the enneagram focuses on what happens after you're born and what characteristics you pick up along the way from those caring for you - by the age of seven the personality type is pretty much fixed," she explained.
As you discover your personality type and the underlying basic proposition, you will also discover what motivates you, your coping strategy and keys to personal development.
The nine personality types are split into three triads: the Feeling Triad which include the giver; the performer and the romantic; the Thinking Triad including the epicure, the loyal sceptic and the observer and the Instinctive Triad, which include the protector, the mediator and the perfectionist (see diagram).
No one is a pure personality type and everyone is a unique mixture of one's basic type. However, the basic type dominates your overall personality.
"We have bits of the full circle of the map but due to circumstances in life we emphasise a core strategy," she said.
Ms Mifsud Midolo said she has conducted similar workshops with companies and teachers which have been extremely helpful because they served to instil team spirit and improved office dynamics.
"However, I have to emphasise that the enneagram is not to be used to pigeonhole individuals but as a tool to understand yourself and others," she cautioned.
Anyone interested in attending the workshop should call on 2147 0147 or 9982 2378. www.inprocessmalta.com
The nine personality types
The following is a taster to help identify the fundamental traits of personality type. Which of the following nine roles fits you best most of the time?
Type One:
The perfectionist. Principled, purposeful and self-controlled. These people want to improve the world because they see flaws everywhere. They live in a world of "shoulds" and musts - things should and must be done in the right way.
Type Two:
The giver. Generous, demonstrative, people-pleasing and possessive. This type wants to be approved by others. They are the ones who are always available and that's their motto for life.
Type Three:
The performer. Adaptable, excelling, driven and image-conscious. This type is an achiever who is always on the go and can tend to overdo things. They believe that the world rewards the doing and not the being.
Type Four:
The romantic. Expressive, dramatic, self-absorbed and temperamental. This type is artistic and creative. They believe something is missing in themselves so are constantly searching for the meaning of life. They are introspective and emotional; they live in a world of feelings.
Type Five:
The observer. Perceptive, innovative, secretive and provocative. This is the person who enters the room and doesn't make a presence. They observe without participating. They are on the outside looking in.
Type Six:
The loyal sceptic. Engaging, responsible, anxious and suspicious. You have two kinds within this type, but their basic trait is fear. There is the phobic who will run away from everything which smells of danger, be it a cockroach or an interview. Or the other trait which is still very scared but can confront fear. However, once you have these people's trust they are allies for life.
Type Seven:
The epicure. Spontaneous, versatile, distractible and scattered. These are the adrenaline seekers and the party-goers who seek pleasure and avoid pain at all costs. Despite the difficult times they always focus on the positive side of things. They are always in for a good laugh.
Type Eight:
The protector. Self-confident, decisive, wilful and confrontational. These are the ones whose presence is felt. They are the leaders. With this type power is the issue. Their motto is that the world is an unfair place and they had to win the game of survival. Sometimes this type asserts itself too forcefully.
Type Nine:
The mediator. Receptive, reassuring, agreeable and complacent. They are the peace lovers who definitely dislike conflict. They are very relaxed and go with the flow.