Hey Lykkers! Change is a part of life, but have you ever wondered what it really takes to grow, adapt, and become the best version of yourself? It’s a question many of us ask, especially when stepping into new environments or working on our relationships. Let’s dive into what it truly means to evolve!

Recent research has confirmed what many have suspected: yes, you can change your personality! In this article, we'll dive into the science of personality and how we can intentionally adjust our thoughts and behaviors to become the best version of ourselves.

Understanding Personality

Personality is more than just a buzzword or a set of labels we use to categorize ourselves. Psychologists define personality as the characteristic way in which we think, feel, and behave. It shapes how we interact with the world, and how the world interacts with us.

Think about it: Are you more of an optimist, always seeing the glass as half full? Or are you more of a pessimist, seeing challenges instead of opportunities? When something frustrating happens, do you stay calm and give the benefit of the doubt, or do you feel anger rise quickly? These responses reflect different aspects of personality.

Personality Isn't Fixed – It Can Evolve

For years, people have believed that our personality is something we are born with, something set in stone. But research in modern personality science tells us a different story. Your personality can evolve over time, often in response to life experiences or intentional changes in behavior.

As we grow older, we naturally tend to become more conscientious, less neurotic, and more open to new experiences. We become more aware of our relationships and place greater value on positivity. But can we speed up this process of change? Absolutely! We can intentionally influence our personality by making specific changes to our thinking and behavior.

The Science Behind Personality Change

The idea that personality is malleable has been confirmed by various studies. It turns out that by making small, intentional tweaks to the way we think and behave, we can modify certain traits of our personality in as little as 20 weeks! For example, let's say you want to become more reliable. If you start to consciously remind yourself of the importance of punctuality, plan ahead, and practice being on time, you'll start to embody that characteristic. Over time, this can lead to a fundamental shift in your personality—turning you into a more dependable person.

How Cognitive-Behavioral Techniques Can Help

So, how can we go about changing our personality? The key is to use cognitive-behavioral strategies that focus on changing how we think and how we act.

The first step is to focus on your thought patterns. If you constantly think “People are only looking out for themselves,” you may become defensive around others. But if you shift your mindset, thinking instead “People are often supportive,” your actions will reflect that new belief. By adjusting your thoughts, you can influence your behavior in a positive way.

Next, it's important to practice new behaviors. This is the "behavioral" part of the equation. If you tend to withdraw or act defensively, try opening up to others. Share your thoughts, ask for help when you need it, and allow others to respond positively to you. Over time, these new behaviors will reinforce your new personality traits.

The Big Five Personality Traits

Most psychologists agree that personality can be summarized into five broad categories, known as the "Big Five" traits: neuroticism, extroversion, conscientiousness, agreeableness, and openness. These five dimensions encompass a wide range of behaviors, thoughts, and feelings, and serve as the foundation for understanding personality.

We might not realize it, but all of our thoughts and actions can be grouped into one or more of these traits. For instance, a highly agreeable person is often empathetic, cooperative, and friendly. Someone high in conscientiousness may be organized, reliable, and detail-oriented. By identifying where we stand on these traits, we can target specific areas for change.

Change Isn't Easy, But It's Possible

While the process of changing your personality might seem daunting, it's important to remember that it's possible—and it doesn't require drastic measures. By consistently practicing new ways of thinking and behaving, we can begin to make lasting changes. You don't need a therapist to guide you—simple self-awareness and the commitment to practice will suffice.

The Power of Intentional Change

The most encouraging news is that personality change is not just a dream—it's within our control. We don't have to stay stuck in a fixed personality pattern. We have the power to intentionally shape our traits, building a personality that aligns with the person we want to become. Whether you're striving to be more open, more organized, or more empathetic, it's entirely possible to change, as long as we take those first steps toward self-improvement.

Lykkers, if you're ready to start reshaping your personality and live the life you've always dreamed of, now is the time to take action.

Think about which traits you want to develop, and begin making small, positive changes today. You might be surprised at how quickly your personality can evolve!