Is it Possible to Change Your Personality?

 

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I was asked recently to write an article for Lifehack.org on whether or not you can change your personality to become a better person. The notion of whether it is possible to change your personality has been an ongoing topic of research and debate.

Is personality inherited or developed? Nature or nurture? Can people truly change? For many years, research showed that our personality was mostly stable. However, evidence continues to emerge that we can—and do—change parts of our personality across our lifetime.

In my twenty years of coaching, consulting, and working with people, I have found this is not an either/or debate—it is both. Ultimately, we are all born with a predisposition and characteristics innately hard-wired in us. And, over time and with age, experience, and consciousness, we can build and change parts of our personality, behavior, and actions as we grow and evolve as human beings.

So while some parts of your personality may be hardwired and stable, you are not stuck. You don’t just have to live with character traits or behaviors that may be hurting your life or relationships.

With clarity and a clear understanding of what you want to change, a deep understanding of why you want to change, and time and intention, you can change.

Interested in learning more about how to change? Read the full article here.

***Many ancient philosophers, from Aristotle to Socrates and Pythagoras, touted the benefits of “knowing thyself.” One of the most important things to do before you try to change yourself is to truly get to know yourself. One great way to gain self-awareness is to take an assessment tool. If you're interested in learning more, you can take a variety of profiling tools and assessments, all free of charge on one of my favorite platforms for personal and professional development—Check out Cloverleaf here!***

 
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