As the Psychology Feature Writer, I often edit past articles and discover long-lost psychology tips about love, life, and work. Instead of leaving the best psych advice buried, I decided to highlight a few tips about personality traits here.
These four personality psychology tips focus on four different aspects of work and life. Included is one money psychology tip, one work psychology tip, one relationship psychology tip, and one "I need more energy!" tip.
Personality Traits Affect Saving, Spending, and Investing Habits
The more you know your parents’ financial styles, the better you'll be able to handle your money. For instance, did your parents invest in real estate, mutual funds, or a secure low-interest savings account? Your investment style, attitude about money, and financial perspective is shaped in part by the way your parents treated money in your childhood.
If you want to be financially successful, you need to separate your “money psychology” from your parents’ financial attitudes – especially if money made them anxious, stressed, or frustrated. This "money psychology tip" is one of the best ways to achieve your financial goals!
Highly Effective Employees Use Their Personality Traits at Work
Succeeding at work doesn't necessarily involve particular personality traits (though a strong work ethic leads to success most of the time!). To enjoy and succeed at work, be aware of your personality traits and preferences. Use them to create better coworker relationships and achieve professional goals.
For instance, people with introverted personality traits prefer to work on their own, while extroverts tend to thrive in a group of coworkers. "Early birds" operate best in the morning, while "night owls" are most productive in the afternoon or evening. Effective employees work with their innate personality traits and rhythms – not against them. They don't try to change their personality to suit their jobs.
Authenticity Improves Romance and Intimacy
"If you're true to yourself,” says Amy Brunell, assistant professor of psychology at Ohio State University, “it’s easier to act in ways that build intimacy in relationships, and that will make your relationship more fulfilling." In other words, the more connected you are to your own thoughts, opinions, hopes, and dreams, the better able you'll be to connect to your partner.
Brunell's research shows that both men and women who reported being more true to themselves also behaved in more intimate and less destructive ways with their partners. They felt that their love relationship was more positive, and also reported greater feelings of personal well-being. This psychology tip is very difficult for some people, especially those who struggle with fear of intimacy.
Energy Levels Increase When You Surprise Your Body and Mind
One of the best ways to increase energy levels is to change your routine, which can require you to step out of your "normal" personality traits. Some people love variety, while others prefer stability. But, variety doesn't have to involve major life changes! For instance, I often borrow different exercise DVDs from the library, buy different types of foods from the grocery store, and go to different types of music concerts, live plays, and comedy shows. This doesn't just increase my energy levels, it makes me happier. I like life better when I'm trying new things. And, it makes my marriage stronger – different experiences help me and my husband build a happier relationship by giving us new, interesting things to share.
Little psychology tips like this are great ways to improve your work and life – especially if you actually put them into practice!
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Laurie Pawlik-Kienlen - Laurie Pawlik-Kienlen is a full-time writer and blogger in Vancouver, BC, and the creator of the Quips and Tips blog series.
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