Own Your Personality Types - Change Your Character Traits

“Personality can open doors, but only character can keep them open.” ~ Elmer G. Letterman

This week we’re talking about personality types and owning who you are but also showing up however you want to be.

In the early 70’s Carl Jung developed a theory about personality types. Maybe you remember taking a personality test somewhere throughout your life, to identify your personality types. Perhaps you were an ISFP or an EITJ or somewhere in between… it doesn’t matter. They are all good in their own way. No one personality type is better than the other. Unless of course you perceive it that way. So, if there’s something about your personality type you don’t like, then let me tell you how to change the character traits that go with your personality so you can show up as your best self.

Many believe strongly that personality types can’t be changed, yet some theories say they can. I’m not here to argue that… But I do want to say that I believe that although a personality test may put you in a category - your will, determination and actions are what will define you.

Which is why I want to explain how your personality type relates to your character traits. And although it’s important to own your personality type, it’s also possible to change how you show up in the world.

We will use the personality types of introvert or extrovert for our example. (I am an introvert. However, if you’ve ever been around me or watched one of my videos, you might not think I am but there’s no doubt about it – I am an introvert. Even if my character traits don’t always show that.)

So anyway, let’s say your personality type indicates that you are an introvert at the core too. Introverts get their strength from being alone. They are social but not like an extrovert who thrives on social interaction.

This is where we start to shift from personality types to character traits. Just because you’re not an extrovert doesn’t mean you can’t possess character traits of being outgoing and friendly. Own that you are an introvert but be friendly, kind and outgoing when it comes to interacting with other people. Get it?

So, do you know what your personality types are? It’s great to know your personality type and own it! You can take a personality test if you haven’t ever taken one. But don’t stop there. Be sure you examine how that matches with your character traits.

If you have a personality type that you think you’d like to change, begin by working on the character traits of that personality type. Because those are really where you can make changes that will influence your life and how you show up daily. And the good news is, regardless of your belief about whether personality types can be changed – character traits can absolutely be changed with some practice.

Start by:

1. Considering Your Habits – For example, instead of not making eye contact with people, change that habit by challenging yourself to make eye contact with people when you walk into a room. Changing this habit, shifts the character trait by showing the action of being friendly and that may just serve you better in your career, life, etc.
2. Noticing Your Beliefs – Do you believe that you are stuck with a certain personality type forever and that it’s a bad thing? Remember, even if you have a certain personality type, you can always change your character traits which are really what people see – in your actions and behaviors. Those can be changed. Push yourself out of the box, change those characteristics and show up in a different way if you’d like to. Be empowered and believe that for yourself.
3. Shifting Your Focus – Instead of seeing yourself only as what is defined by your personality type and the characteristics that go along with that type, (i.e. for introverts it might be shy or withdrawn) know that there’s more to you then just that. You absolutely can have other character traits. Shift your focus to the process of taking action towards creating the character traits you want to possess. Again, going back to the example of creating the new habit of making eye contact. It helps you create a new character trait of being friendly, etc.

Just because your personality types might say one thing about you doesn’t mean that your character traits can’t say something different. They don’t always have to follow suit. You can be who you want to be.

Own who you are and know that you are enough as you are. Be proud of your personality type. But also, don’t forget that no matter what your personality type is, you can show up any way you choose. If you want to make some changes to your character traits, if you want to change how you are showing up - know that you can do that – you just have to make the effort. Take the tips above and get started.

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