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cover of episode Can You Change Your Personality? Olga Khazan Tried.

Can You Change Your Personality? Olga Khazan Tried.

2025/3/13
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Amy
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Grace Wan
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Laura
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Leah
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Olga Khazan
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Rich
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Olga Khazan: 我过去非常焦虑，总是负面思考，即使好事发生，我也会立刻想到接下来可能会发生什么不好的事情。我过去比较孤僻，很少社交，更喜欢独处。我意识到自己总是关注消极面，这妨碍我享受生活。我担心减少焦虑会降低我的工作积极性，因为我过去认为焦虑是工作成功的因素之一。我父母非常焦虑，这遗传给了我，例如我父亲因为担心日本制造的汽车有辐射而迟迟无法决定是否购买。通过参加即兴表演课，我逐渐变得更外向，并意识到我比以前需要更多的社交。虽然一开始我对冥想持怀疑态度，但密集的冥想课程确实帮助我降低了抑郁程度，尽管对焦虑的改善有限。处理愤怒的更好方法是计划如何应对，而不是通过发泄来释放愤怒。虽然一开始我对改变人格缺乏信心，但随着练习，我的自信心逐渐增强。人格改变需要持续的努力，即使有些方法因时间或兴趣原因而放弃，也要坚持总体目标。我过去认为焦虑有助于完成任务，但实际上并非如此。为了改变人格，可以参加定期且难以取消的集体活动。 Grace Wan: 我认为奥尔加·哈赞拥有一个不错的生活，但她想变得更外向、不那么焦虑，并乐于尝试新事物。外向性并非指成为派对的中心人物，而是指与他人建立联系，即使是内向者，偶尔外向的行为也能提升情绪。迈尔斯-布里格斯性格测试并非评估人格的有效方法，因为人格特质是连续谱上的。 Rich: 通过从事消防员的工作，我逐渐变得更外向。 Ellen: 我过去常常焦虑，但通过改变态度，我感觉好多了。 Christopher: 戒酒可以改变人格，例如降低焦虑、提高宜人和外向性。 Amy: 练习武术（合气道）可以帮助缓解焦虑。 Leah: 养育孩子会改变人格，例如增加外向性和宜人性。

Deep Dive

Chapters
Olga Khazan, an Atlantic writer, embarks on a year-long journey to improve her personality, focusing on reducing anxiety and becoming more outgoing. Her quest is documented in her new book, "Me, But Better." The initial phase involves self-assessment and identifying areas for improvement.
  • Olga Khazan's initial personality assessment revealed high neuroticism and low extroversion.
  • A pivotal moment triggering her journey was a frustrating day in Miami.
  • She aimed for incremental improvement, not radical change.

Shownotes Transcript

“I possessed a unique ability to find suffering in even the best circumstances,” admits Atlantic writer Olga Khazan. That trait is one reason why she wished for a different personality; she wasn’t seeking radical change, just one to make her life a little bit better. And over the course of a year she did just that, embarking on a journey through the science of personality. Khazan interviewed researchers, took improv classes, learned to sail and surf, reluctantly meditated, and journaled with the intensity of a preteen in unrequited love. She chronicles her quest towards an improved self in her new book, “Me, But Better.” We talk to Khazan, and hear from you: Have you tried to change your personality? How did it go?

Guests:

**Olga Khazan, **author, "Me, But Better: The Science and Promise of Personality Change" and "Weird: The Power of Being an Outsider in an Insider World."; staff writer, The Atlantic