Wanting to change your personality is not uncommon. For example, timid people may wish they were more assertive, while erratic individuals might want to be more stable.
Every personality type has its advantages and disadvantages. Personality characteristics are what make us unique, and there’s no one type that’s better than another. That said, asking the question, ‘can I change my personality type’ is natural. We all have things we would like to improve. Maybe you want to be more spontaneous or learn how to brush off criticism? But can you really change your personality?
What Do The Experts Say?
According to most personality type theories, your personality type is inherent and doesn’t change. However, you can develop traits and habits that are “stereotypical” of your personality type. Our disposition is more malleable than many of us believe.
Your personality type is not necessarily set in stone. If you have personality traits that are holding you back from achieving your goals, there are things you can do to help change your personality.
What is Your Personality Type?
Before you can change your behaviors, it’s essential to understand why you act and think the way you do. Taking an enneagram test can help determine which personality type you have. Knowing your character type is the first step. Get to know yourself better by taking an online personality test by The Personality Lab. This enneagram test will give you a better understanding of your behaviors.
How to Change Your Personality Type
Our personality characteristics naturally shift throughout life. Going through different life stages may unveil certain parts of your personality that you desire to change. For example, you could be focused on being more outgoing, organized, patient, and grounded - the list goes on. In general, experts agree that making lifestyle changes can impact our personality.
While you’re probably unlikely to shift from an introvert to an extrovert, there are things you can do to make lasting changes. Check out the tips below to learn how to change your personality type.
5 Tips to Change Your Personality
Tip #1: Stop Labeling Yourself
Are you a perfectionist? Are you the shy one? Don’t use your ‘go-to’ personality trait as a crutch or an excuse. If you think of yourself as just a Type A dominant person, you may embrace those characteristics.
We’re constantly morphing, growing, and changing. So instead of putting yourself in a box, open yourself up to opportunities that inspire self-growth.
Tip #2: Take Up New Habits
You can learn good habits. When you make an effort to exhibit positive personality traits like kindness, self-love, and self-confidence, it will likely turn into a habitual response. You can help break old negative patterns by being conscious of what you say around others.
Do you have a negative thought or opinion? It might be better to keep it to yourself or try to find something to say that gets your point across without coming off harsh.
Tip #3: Get Inspired By Others
Is there someone who you look up to personality-wise? What is it about them that you admire? Is it their ability to be a team leader? Are they more compassionate? Of course, you are your own person, and we’re not suggesting to ‘copy’ someone else. Instead, you can use this person for inspiration.
Perhaps you’d like to be as independent, thoughtful, or dependable? Then, think about what changes you can make to help you achieve your goals.
Tip #4: Challenge Your Self-Beliefs
If you tell yourself you can’t change your personality, you won’t. If you’re trying to be more hands-on at work but believe your inherent shyness is permanent, you’ll never reach your full potential.
If you cut out negative thoughts and start believing that your personal attributes are changeable, you are more likely to make a lasting change.
Tip #5: Keep a Journal
Finally, you’ll want to document your journey. You’ll need to be very self-aware if you're going to change certain things about your personality you’re unhappy with. Try jotting down your thoughts and actions in a journal to help you stay on track. Make a note of what’s working and what needs to be tweaked to change your personality type.
