“I can’t help it, it’s my character.” How many times have you heard this phrase or said it yourself? It’s time to question it. Modern psychology is revolutionizing our understanding of personality, proving that change is not only possible, but can be done intentionally and scientifically. Here’s where the research stands.
What's Changing in Personality Science: From the Big Five to the Future
For years, many of us believed that personality was something fixed, immutable like our DNA. But modern research is overturning this belief.
The doctor Shannon Sauer Zavala, a researcher and clinical psychologist at the University of Kentucky, shared some surprising insights:
Our studies show that people can intentionally model the traits they need to succeed in the life they want. We are not trapped in a 'box' determined by our personality type.
Shannon Sauer Zavala
Personality, in short, can be summed up in five main “dual” traits of a historical theory known as the “Big Five”:
- Neuroticism⬌Emotional stability;
- Extroversion⬌Introversion;
- Conscientiousness ⬌Unreliability;
- Pleasantness⬌Antagonism;
- Open-mindedness⬌Closure to experience
“These traits are not fixed labels,” the psychologist emphasizes, “but characteristic ways of thinking, feeling and behaving that can be changed with commitment and practice.”
Changing Personality? Easier Than You Think
Dr. Sauer-Zavala explains how the process of changing personality actually works. The “recipe,” she says, is surprisingly simple (and doesn’t go through a counseling center). mental health):
It's about constantly changing your thoughts and behaviors. If you start thinking 'being on time shows respect for others', start feeling proud when you arrive early, and adopt new behaviors to improve your punctuality, you are actually becoming a reliable person.
Is that all? No. The doctor also shares some cognitive-behavioral techniques that anyone can use:
- Awareness of thoughts: Identify thoughts that keep you stuck in certain behavioral patterns.
- Challenge limiting beliefs: Challenge the thoughts that keep you from changing.
- Behavioral experimentation: Try new behaviors and observe how others' reactions change.
“You don’t need a therapist to apply these techniques,” he said. “With perseverance and commitment, anyone can begin to shape their personality.”
How much time does it take? Less than you think
One of the most surprising aspects of Dr. Sauer-Zavala's research is the speed with which change can occur. "Our studies show that people can experience significant changes in less than 20 weeks,” he revealed.
This means that in just under five months we could become a significantly different version of ourselves. An idea that challenges many of the general beliefs about the attitude to personal change.
The challenge and opportunity of change
The recipe, in short, It doesn't have many ingredients: but you have to know how to cook them, and above all have patience. To change your personality you need commitment, awareness and the will to get out of your comfort zone.
The good news, however, is that, taking into account the research carried out by Dr. Sauer-Zavala (I link it to you here) is that we are not prisoners of our character. We have the power to actively shape who we are and who we want to become. It's an idea that can seem intimidating, but also incredibly liberating.
Changing Personality: What Do You Think?
Are you ready to take control of your personality? What aspect of your character would you like to change? And above all, now that you know it is possible, what is stopping you from starting this journey of transformation?
Share your thoughts on our social media channels. And remember, change begins with a single step. This article could be your starting point for a new version of yourself.
