Personality Isn't Permanent
Franco Greco • January 27, 2021
Benjamin Hardy argues that contrary to what we might have heard, personalities aren't innate or fixed. They are constantly evolving, and that's a process you can shape.
According to Hardy, there are a number of factors that contribute to personality being perceived as static.
We Can't Anticipate Future Change Well
Personality modifies over time, but we struggle to anticipate the inevitability of more transformation in the future. Hardy cites research undertaken by Prof Daniel Gilbert - psychologist at Harvard University - whose research found that people don't expect major change in their futures. This is known as
end of history illusion which suggests that we can usually recognse that we've changed in the past but that we wont change going forward.
The Idea Of An Authentic Self Holds Us Back
This idea that we have an authentic self and that we're at our best when we are true to our self or what is natural or what we feel comfortable keeps us in the comfortable zone. Hardy uses the example of Prof Adam Grant - psychology professor at Wharton School - who was afraid of public speaking. He didn't want to stay true to his true self (his terrified self) - he wanted to grow becoming an infuential lecturer and public speaker.
Understanding Why You Do What You Do Is Important
Hardy argues that personality - rather than just being innate and unchanging - reflects what we do ... in other word ... personality is shaped by what we spend our time doing. Change that and you'll chnge who you are. Our behaviour is goal driven ... you just don't do stuff at random ... everything you do has an ultimate end or objective.
Committing To A Single Goal Increases Success of Change.
Citing Charles Duhigg who wrote The Power of Habit
who argues that by cultivating one defining habit - a keystone habit - can improve other areas of your life. For example, a writer who commits to getting a certain numbe rof pages written every day might suddenly get more commissions, which means more income and more self-confidence. Whatever your goal, the key is to keep it singular and focussed. The clearer the goal, the more likely you are to keep it in your sights and, ultimately, hit your target.
Changing The Narrative About Your Past Can Alter Your Future
This connects to Prof Dan McAdams work on personality who argues that there are three layers to personality. Dispositional traits - like the Big Five - is what is commonly viewed narrowly as personality - is the first layer of personality. Goals and motivation - the second layer of personality - and influence and shift behaviour that we can be predisposed or more comfortable continuing. Our goals and motivation help and drive us to move ... shift ... and change. The third layer is our capacity to change the narrative about our past and current situation - by reframing our story or the story we are telling himself - and foster a new future narrative or story..
In next my next blog article I will be writing more about McAdams' three layers of personality.
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