When work allows you to hide...

Are You Hiding from Something and Calling it Work? Finding the Secret to Winning at Work and NOT Losing at Life…

As a teacher, overworking wasn't just common — it practically came with the job description! I once actually sat down and added up all the hours I spent after school prepping lessons, grading papers, and calling parents. Let's just say, the number was not pretty. The work truly never ends.

And honestly? I knew that going in. But knowing something and living it are two very different things. Teaching was draining me — physically, spiritually, emotionally — the whole package.

Here's the part I didn't see coming, though: sometimes I was burying myself in work not because I had to, but because it was easier than dealing with something painful in my personal life. I kept taking on more students, more responsibilities — anything to avoid facing a situation with a friend group that had really hurt me over the past year.

My Enneagram coach was the one who finally called it out. She told me straight up — if I didn't deal with that betrayal, I was headed straight for burnout. And burnout doesn't just wreck your health; it can blow up your career and your personal life all at once. Yikes.

So I started actually working on my feelings — journaling, meditating, and using a feeling wheel. That last one was more important than it sounds! Enneagram Type Three tends to have a really hard time identifying painful emotions. I had to learn to just sit with the discomfort instead of running from it by staying busy. No more masking feelings with "doing."

The thing is, I loved teaching. Like, genuinely loved it. Walking away was never an option I wanted to consider.

That's where the Enneagram became a game-changer for me. It helped me actually have a life outside of work again! Here's a little insight: people who go all-in on work at the expense of everything else — family, friends, their own emotional wellbeing — often turn out to be Enneagram Type Three, "The Achiever." They're incredible at getting things done, but sometimes the cost is just too high.

Working with the Enneagram taught me to pause and ask myself: Am I doing this because it needs to be done — or am I doing this to avoid something uncomfortable? That one question changed everything.

What Enneagram Type are you? Could you be a type three too?

CLICK HERE to get started on your Enneagram Journey.

Hi! I am Paula McCoach of Your Number Matters. As an experienced Enneagram coach & consultant, I specialize in helping others discover their Enneagram number & use their strengths to transform into their best selves. I offer both in-person & online coaching for individuals & groups.

I’ve been actively studying and working with the Enneagram for over 20 years, with a focus in the Riso-Hudson tradition. My journey has included participation in numerous Enneagram retreats, workshops, and trainings aimed at deepening both personal growth and professional application.

Since 2019, I’ve been a member of an advanced monthly Enneagram study group facilitated by certified Enneagram coaches and authors, and I am currently training with a Riso-Hudson Certified Enneagram coach and licensed therapist. I’m also a member of the International Enneagram Association (IEA), where I continue my education through ongoing trainings and community engagement.

My approach integrates psychological insight, somatic awareness, and spiritual development—bringing depth and compassion to individuals and groups seeking transformation through the lens of the Enneagram.

Outside of my Enneagram business, I am a Tutor both privately and with Wright Academics. I tutor in English Language Arts, writing, executive function, as well as in test prep for SAT, ACT and ISEE.