15 Personality Development Activities for Personal Growth

Personality is deemed to be something that defines you. It constitutes what you are made up of. So how do you change or update your personality? Is it as easy as a software update (or complex?)? Read on to understand these queries along with some personality development activities for your personal development or growth.

Check out this short on Employability and Personality Program by Entri in Malayalam!

What is a personality?

To simply put it, personality is what makes you, you. It is an amalgam of behaviour, habits, thought processes and how you feel. In other words, you can ‘blame’ them for going out and socializing or staying in and reading a book. In short, personality is what makes people unique, with factors like how you would react and think in various situations.

There comes a time when you might be thinking about how apt your personality is. For instance, being laid-back and poor at communication may lead to intense pressure in professional and personal aspects. At the same time, never forget the fact that wanting to change your personality doesn’t mean that you hate it; rather, it is the opposite. You are accepting yourself and working on moulding the perfect you to walk on the surface of the Earth.

Is it possible to change your personality?

Established psychologists have theorized how our personality is molded within the initial years of our childhood. Sigmund Freud postulated as to how, within the age of 5, you develop your “superego”. The same was believed in the case of personality, as your superego plays a vital part in determining your personality.

However, contemporary research has found out that over time, personality can be dynamic. Although, for this to happen, many factors would need to be present, like an important life event or through consistent and dedicated efforts. One needs to understand the underlying factor that these changes are not to completely change your personality or behavior.

Rather, it is to grow and refine one’s personality into a desired and acceptable state. Remember, each of us is unique, and that is our strength. On a larger scale, if everyone had a personality like that of Mahatma Gandhi, he wouldn’t even come to the limelight, as those circumstances would not be present.

The bottom line is that redefining your personality is possible, either through self-help books, professional self-development coaches, or through self-motivation.

15 Personality Development Activities

This journey towards developing your personality takes on many forms. Mostly it includes defining your personal development goals and sticking to them. You should consider many factors, like lifestyle fit and such, when defining your goals. The determination and will required for each of those goals need to be weighed as well. In other words, you need something that you can stick to.

Here are some of the personality development activities along with some self-improvement tips:

1. Improve communication skills :

“Communication is the key”. A timeless and priceless quote that can be applied in all circumstances. Yet, we humans still are bad communicators. Communication skills do not just mean being clear, but also soft skills such as active listening and adapting to bodily cues. Having proper communication skills can assist you in having consistent satisfaction in your professional as well as personal life. Say goodbye to decreased employee morale, increased stress, etc., with the aid of communication.

2. Commit to a 30-day challenge:

Challenge yourself to commit to a small yet effective routine that would help you to achieve the personality you desire. Stick to it and prove to yourself that you can endure struggles with ease. Some examples of such challenges include:

• 15 minutes of journal writing
• 30 minutes of exercise
• Nightly reading habit
• Waking up early

3. Play a team sport: 

Being independent is cool. However, it comes with its negatives as well. Sure, you can handle everything on your own and be a ‘lone wolf,’ but would you be able to survive in a team? Take this up as an activity as it is one of the activities that will teach you interdependency, communication, risk-taking ,and strategic planning, all while having fun.

4. Volunteering: 

Nothing is more noble than helping others while helping yourself. Support a cause you are passionate about and meet like-minded people who share the same values as you while gaining experience and a network.

5. Networking: 

Strive to check out your communication skills by interacting with more people and establish a strong and vibrant network for you to fall back to. This will definitely help you to boost your confidence, and who knows, it might even land you a new job!

6. Journal: 

Studies show that journaling your progress can help in creating perseverance as well as enhancing self-regulation that you need to achieve long-term goals like personality development. Journaling need not be just writing; you can even upload videos of yourself on social media to keep yourself in check. Starting a journal helps you in

• processing negative thoughts
• improve self-awareness
• reflect on mistakes
• document successes

7. Meditation: 

Taking some time off a day to meditate can help in calming your mind and body. This helps you to take apt decisions, regulate emotions, and decrease stress. You can always leverage YouTube and apps to help you get started.

8. Self-care: 

Fortunately, self-care is being taken seriously, especially in the contemporary scenario. We get to see more people talking openly about it and how it adds value to your overall existence as a human. Take time off to focus on yourself instead of burning out by stressing on others and work. Live a little; you deserve the best too!

9. Positive affirmations: 

You can be your best cheerleader! Do not shy away from giving yourself some boost in the form of daily affirmations, as it is said to increase self-worth and motivate you towards your personal development journey. Stand in front of the mirror and state to yourself these things:

• I deserve good things in my life.
• I am capable enough to find solutions to my problems.
• I am ready to take on the day.
• Bonus: I am the boss!

10. Curious minds thrive: 

If you’ve always been trying to learn about something but couldn’t exactly execute it, now is the time. Daily learning can increase your intellectual capacity and heighten the sense of fulfillment. Whether it’s reading self-help books, learning a new language, or taking up lessons for instruments—start now and commit to it.

11. Creativity: 

It’s totally cool if you do not have dominant artistic genes, and we get that. However, if you want to jumpstart those dormant ones and spark your creativity, now is the time. Channel out your inner ‘da Vinci’ and try to think outside the box and innovate, especially during problem-solving situations.

12. Learn to say ‘no’: 

Generosity is considered to be a strong personality trait that can backfire if not kept in check. Helping and pleasing others can lead to burnout and loss of composure. By rejecting, you set healthy boundaries and become more assertive. Here are some other benefits of saying ‘no’:

• Improvement in self-esteem
• Increased sense of identity and independence
• Increase in time to work on your goals
• Emotional well-being

13. Step out of your comfort zone:

If you have a comfort zone, be sure to step out of it. Explore uncharted possibilities, and you may even end up discovering a new you! Stepping out of your own bubble helps in understanding your preferences and limits. Break a leg and try any of these:

• Take part in an adventure sport
• Talk to someone new (including your crush! 😉)
• Take up a difficult project
• Conduct a presentation in an unfamiliar field. The crazier, the better!

14. Seek feedback: 

When you’re making a personality development, it helps to get a different perspective on the difference—negative and positive. Let people know when you are working on specific aspects and get their feedback on the same. This helps you to create a healthy dialogue, motivates you to reach goals faster, and an understanding as to how are you faring.

15. Find a mentor/coach: 

Self-improvement or self-development is not an easy path and might require a coach or a mentor to help you in the struggle. 97% of those with mentors stated that they are valuable, with 55% saying that they can actually help them succeed. Not to forget the fact that the benefits of a coach are exhaustive and would only result in a positive note. So, choose your guru wisely.

(Not So) Small Steps

If you have made it till here, we are proud of you! You have the heart and will to address the traits that need development. The only thing left is to implement these. Remember, there is no easy way in this, so be ready to get your patience tested because changes happen over time and not overnight. Consistency and practice will definitely get you there.

Entri offers a dedicated course on personality training, which can be a great ally for you in your journey. With expert mentors and dedicated support, you will be basking in personality development and improvement. Enroll now and kickstart your venture into greatness!