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Social Sixes may become attracted to fanatical beliefs, causes, and groups. They may develop an “us against the world” mentality, feeling besieged by a hostile environment
Sexual Sixes develop physical strength, power, and/or physical attractiveness to feel safe.
Sexual Sixes want to attract a powerful and capable mate, so they frequently test the other, both to see if they will stay with them, as well as to give themselves time to assess the other person’s character and fortitude.
When anxious, they may assert themselves against their own supporters or third parties rather than at the true source of their anxieties. Attempts at sabotaging others, or undermining their reputations in various ways, especially through rumor-mongering, are typical.
Sexual Sixes can be depressive and erratic, especially if they feel that their reactivity has undermined or ruined their intimate connections.
Average Sixes are frequently worried about the future. Because they have serious doubts about themselves and the world, they start to look for a “sure thing” that will guarantee their security—anything
Simply put, Sixes are seeking assurance and insurance, trying to hedge their bets. They feel that life is fraught with dangers and uncertainties so it must be approached with caution and limited expectations.
Sixes feel uncertain about their situation, they may act impulsively simply to bring closure to their anxieties.
Average Sixes want to reinforce their support system, to strengthen their alliances and/or their position with authorities.
Sixes become invested in particular beliefs, be they political, philosophical, or spiritual.
They put in long hours working to ensure that the relationship or job or belief that they have invested in will continue to thrive and support them. This inevitably raises questions in their doubting minds: Are they being taken advantage of?
There is nothing that Sixes can do in the external world that will make them feel secure if they are insecure within themselves.
the root of so much of Type Six’s behavior is based on insecurity and reactions to fear.
Sixes learn to cope with fear either by reacting with it or against it.
Although Sixes want to feel supported by others, they do not want to feel engulfed by anyone, and it feels uncomfortable when someone starts to overwhelm them with too much attention or closeness.
The irony is that the more insecure and lacking confidence they are, the more Sixes rely on external support, and the more they lose their independence.
they can develop a “siege mentality,” feeling that others are out to harm or exploit them. These
Because they do not feel they can trust their own inner guidance, Sixes often look for answers in ideas and insights first propounded by others.
insecure Sixes will tend to simply accept the ideas of others, but even in this case, they can also resist and question them aggressively.
their natural response is first to look outside of themselves for something to believe, and if that fails, to react against it and look for something else. Doubt, questioning, believing, searching, skepticism, and resistance are always part of the picture.
Once Sixes feel that they have found a “good” authority, however, they strongly identify with it and internalize its values and teachings.
Sixes are never entirely convinced: they harbor nagging doubts, while often expressing their adopted views all the more forcefully to suppress their doubts.
Sixes often attempt to solve the problem of finding the “right” answers by aligning themselves with multiple authorities and systems.
Thus, Sixes are cautious and skeptical about taking on new beliefs or relationships.
no belief system or relationship will always provide perfect guidance and support.
Sixes dislike having too many options. They feel more confident in situations with well-defined procedures, guidelines, and rules, such as the legal profession, or accounting, or academia.
Sixes feel safer when they have some sense of what to expect, so they typically dislike sudden changes.
Sixes try to fulfill their commitments to many different people and situations, but inevitably they find it impossible to satisfy everyone.
He feels pressured—“damned if you do, and damned if you don’t.” He becomes irritated that others expect too much from him; he cannot possibly do everything they want!
While Ones have a powerful inner critic in their heads, Sixes have an inner committee.
Sixes feel that any small mishap could be their undoing.
Sixes may act out their anxieties by complaining and blaming others.
Sixes feel put-upon and victimized and frequently fall into the habit of complaining without taking any definite action that would change the situation. Over time, this begins to heighten their self-image of being victims,
When stress increases beyond their normal ability to cope, Sixes may go to Three and become even more driven and potentially workaholic.
Notice how much time you spend trying to figure out how to handle possible future problems.
Quieting the mind through disciplined meditation practices, especially those that focus on the body, can help Sixes clear out the chorus of voices in their heads.
You tend to have difficulty enjoying those moments when you achieve your objectives without immediately launching into your next round of anxieties—even worrying about how others might resent your accomplishment!
Get in the practice of noticing what you trust and how you come to decisions.
While you want to be there in a responsible way for everyone else in your life, you tend to shortchange yourself by not believing that your own self-development is worth the trouble.
it is your own courage and strength that ultimately are required (and available) for such explorations.
Seek out diversity and variety.
far from being threatening or dangerous, will greatly expand your base of support and increase your comfort in the world.
cultivate quiet time for yourself.
Healthy Sixes are endowed with tremendous endurance and achieve their objectives through steady and persistent efforts.
reliability and on the quality of the work they produce. High-functioning Sixes respect dependability and good craftsmanship and, to the best of their ability, provide them.
Sixes like to learn and to think about things, but within known and knowable categories.
Sixes are outstanding in their ability to work for a common good without needing to be stars. Sixes ask what needs to be done and then do it, with a sense of being part of something that transcends their personal interests.
While high-functioning Sixes are deeply loyal and committed to others, they are also committed to learning more about themselves.
High-functioning Sixes are self-confident and self-affirming because they have learned to recognize and trust their own inner guidance.
faith in themselves often manifests as outstanding courage and leadership. They lead from a deep understanding of people’s insecurities and frailties, and others respond to them, seeing their sincerity and willingness to be honest about their own weaknesses.
