Have you ever needed to push yourself just a little bit more? To save a little bit more? Or to be a little more strict with the budget? Have you ever wanted to simply become a better version of yourself?
We often need to get out of our comfort zones, build better habits, and lean into the parts of ourselves that make us feel stronger, more confident, and more fulfilled. In other words, we have to be intentional about making the small shifts that will help us grow into better versions of ourselves, and perhaps, even alter our personality.
This week on the HerMoney Podcast, Jean Chatzky is joined by Olga Khazan to talk about ways to tweak our habits, tendencies, and mindset to learn what’s actually possible when it comes to personal growth. Olga is a longtime staff writer at the Atlantic and details her yearlong quest to change her personality in her new book: Me, But Better: The Science and Promise of Personality Change.
Does Becoming A Better Version Of Yourself Involve Changing Your Personality?
Jean Chatzky: Is it actually possible to change your personality?
Olga Khazan: Personality change is possible, but you have to really want to do it. So, you have to change your daily habits, behaviors, and thought patterns in order to actually achieve true personality change. What you’ll notice is a slight reduction in anxiety or a slightly expanded social circle. You might notice deepening relationships, but it’ll still be your same life.
A Small Change That Feels Like a Big Raise
Jean Chatzky: You said that [before you wrote this book] you were feeling neurotic. And some research estimates that a small reduction in neuroticism feels like earning $314,000 more a year. That is a really specific piece of data, so can you unpack it?
Olga Khazan: The reason why a small reduction in neuroticism feels so good is that neuroticism feels really bad. Neuroticism is the personality trait that is associated with anxiety and depression. People who are really high in neuroticism get stuck in negative thought patterns over and over again. There’s a lot of catastrophizing, dread, fear, and worry. Being free from some of that and thinking that things might actually be okay can feel like a huge burden lifted. It can feel like a huge pay raise.
Want to Learn How To Become A Better Version Of Yourself? Start Here.
Jean Chatzky: For people who are listening to this conversation and thinking, yeah, I’d like to shake it up a little bit. I’d like to be me, but better. Where would you suggest that they start?
Olga Khazan: I would sign up for something. Sign up for either a class or an activity or some sort of recurring commitment that you have to go to. It doesn’t have to be expensive, it can be free, it can be a meetup. Sign up for one thing that it is not super easy to back out of and see how you like it.
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MORE ON HERMONEY:
- HerMoney Podcast Episode 456: A Guide To Finding Your Purpose
- 8 Work From Home Side Hustles You Can Start Right Now
- 5 Things To Do When Preparing Your Taxes (Including Having A Tax Checklist)
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