9 Top-Notch Hobbies for Enneagram Type 3 [The Achiever]

The ideal Enneagram 3 hobbies are those that teach Threes to relax, reconnect with their authentic selves, and have a more balanced life. Threes are very competitive, which is why they are prone to taking hobbies too seriously. This makes it even more important for them to choose their hobbies wisely.

In this article, we’ll explore the best Enneagram 3 hobbies and explain how Type Three, the Achiever, can benefit from each of them.

Let’s start!

What is Enneagram Type 3 Like?

Enneagram Type Three is an energetic, ambitious goal-getter who strives to be the best in everything they do. Threes see life as an everlasting competition in which victory is everything and every defeat is dangerous. As a result, they are relentless in pursuing their goals and always pushing themselves to improve.

Furthermore, Threes are passionate, charming, and very attractive individuals who easily make connections and enjoy being in the limelight. They are great performers and often have many talents that they can share on the stage.

In general, Threes don’t care that much about what they do as long as they are successful at it. Public image, recognition, status, and money are very important to them, and they sometimes lose themselves chasing trophies and accolades.

It is also important to note that Enneagram theory recognizes two Enneagram subtypes, which, depending on their Enneagram wing, can have traits of one of the Three’s neighboring types—Two or Four.

Enneagram Three with a Two wing (3w2) is a more compassionate and emotional version of Type Three, whereas wing Four (3w4) makes Threes more introverted and artistic.

9 Enneagram 3 Hobbies

There are many Enneagram 3 hobbies that don’t seem to match the Achiever’s personality at first glance. That’s because some of the best hobby choices for them support their strengths, and some challenge them to overcome their weaknesses.

So, let’s explore the best Enneagram 3 hobby choices:

#1. Working Out

Threes have a lot of physical energy to spend, and working out regularly is more than a hobby for them—they need it to remain healthy and balanced.

Plus, engaging in fitness and sports supports Three's competitive spirit and allows them to express it in a healthy and socially acceptable way. On top of that, it also satisfies their need for progress and achievement.

Any kind of intense training is good for them, from football to tennis and everything in between, as long as it is exciting and dynamic.

#2. Competitive Sports

Competitiveness is Three’s trademark, and they never stop being competitive, regardless of how many times they have won or how old they are.

Therefore, it is very important for them to channel their competitive spirit into something concrete—to avoid expressing it in situations and places where there’s no room for such behavior. Bearing this in mind, any competitive sport that they like, from tennis to basketball and anything in between, is an excellent Enneagram 3 hobby.

#3. Dancing

Dancing is a great sport for Enneagram 3 because it is dynamic, involves socializing, can be competitive, and is fun! Most importantly, it teaches Threes to adapt to others, either to their dance partner or to their dance group, which may be a challenge for them as they may not be the best team players.

However, that’s all the more reason for them to try dancing and practice collaboration and team spirit through it.

#4. Debating

Threes are smart thinkers who can be very persuasive when they need to win people over to their goals. Plus, they enjoy a good debate and are inspiring and passionate debaters.

Therefore, joining a debate club will allow them to sharpen their debating and persuasion skills, meet new people, and learn effective communication techniques.

#5. Running

Both long and short-distance running can be a great choice for Threes because it challenges their mental strength and perseverance.

They are usually natural sprinters, but long-distance running could also help them build psychological strength and stress resilience, which would allow them to deal with everyday challenges in a more efficient way.

#6. Photography

Threes typically think a couple of steps ahead, as they always want to be sure that they are making some progress. Despite the fact that photography is usually a solitary activity and Threes are extroverted, it is a great hobby for them because it propels them to stay present in the here and now, focus on the beauty of the moment, and savor it.

Plus, Threes are usually visual types, and photography may feel very natural to them.

#7. Car Racing

Car racing matches Threes’ essential natures in an obvious way, as it is a highly competitive, adrenaline-driven, and exciting sport. It requires sharp focus, strong self-control ability, hand-eye coordination, and a sense of space and speed—all of which Threes either have or want to develop.

Plus, fancy sports cars appeal to their need to look good in public, so they are often spontaneously attracted to this hobby.

#8. Martial Arts

Martial arts are a great hobby for many Enneagram types, but for Threes, they can provide a life-changing experience. The discipline and philosophy that usually come with martial arts can refine Three’s competitive spirit and teach them patience, humility, and wisdom.

Plus, martial arts are a great way to relieve stress and spend extra energy, as they require a lot of physical strength and engage a person’s whole body.

#9. Community Choir

Threes often have artistic talents, but even when they don’t, group activities like singing in a choir can be very beneficial for their personal development. Singing in a group teaches Threes to adapt to the needs of the group and learn the value of collaboration and teamwork.

In addition, singing and music itself can naturally help Threes reconnect with their feelings, as they are prone to neglecting them.

How Can Enneagram Type 3 Choose the Right Hobby?

Enneagram Three can choose the right hobby by being honest with themselves and focusing on their authentic needs. They are prone to making choices that they believe will inspire admiration and respect in others or contribute to their public image in some positive way.

However, they forget that staying true to themselves is the only way to feel really successful and fulfilled, and they are prone to wasting time doing things that bring them no real pleasure or joy.

Bearing this in mind, it is best for Threes to reflect on what kind of emotion, experience, or feeling they miss the most in their lives and choose a hobby that addresses that need. They may also pursue some activity that they always wanted but never did because they believed it wasn’t useful to their public image or status.

In general, the best advice for Enneagram 3 to choose the right hobby is to allow themselves to follow their hearts.

3 Tips on How Enneagram Threes Can Stick to a Hobby

For Threes, the biggest challenge in sticking to a hobby is to overcome their need for instant gratification, immediate reward, and recognition. Here are some strategies that could help them:

#1. Set Personal Goals

Instead of pursuing rewards, Threes should set personal goals, track their individual progress, and celebrate their personal records—not just victories and trophies. They need to acknowledge that the point of a hobby isn’t to take one more medal home but to grow, develop, learn new skills, and have fun.

#2. Seek Support

Threes like having cheerleaders but aren’t great at recognizing honest friends. They could benefit from having people they genuinely love support them in pursuing hobbies that are good for them. This would also allow their relationships to deepen, which is important because they tend to avoid showing weaknesses in front of other people.

#3. Focus on Joy Instead of Achievement

In general, it is much more important for Threes’ hobbies to bring them joy than to boost their sense of achievement. They are already workaholics and, therefore, need an activity that teaches them to focus on the process, enjoy the moment, and see things from a new perspective.

Introducing gratitude practice or similar activities into their everyday lives can significantly help them learn to enjoy and value the process and not just chase the results.

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Key Takeaways

So, it is safe to say that the best hobbies for Enneagram 3 are those that are exciting and dynamic enough to align with their energetic nature while also teaching them to be more present in the moment.

Bearing that in mind, let’s round off with the most important insights from this article:

• Some of the best Enneagram 3 hobbies include working out, competitive sports, dancing, martial arts, photography, car racing, and similar activities.
• When choosing a hobby, Threes should allow themselves to be led by their heart’s desires instead of pursuing what they believe looks good in the eyes of the public.
• In order to be able to stick to a hobby, Threes need to set personal goals instead of chasing rewards, seek support from their friends and loved ones, and focus on joy instead of achievement.