What Is Personality ?

Personality development

WHAT IS PERSONALITY?

The relatively stable set of psychological characteristics that influence the way an individual interacts with his or her environment. An individual’s personality summarizes his or her personal style of dealing with the world.

THE FIVE DIMENSIONS OF PERSONALITY

1.      NEUROTICISM (N)

The degree to which a person is angry, anxious, depressed, emotional, insecure and worried

2.      EXTRAVERSION (E)

Extraverts are sociable as well as active and talkative, whereas, introverts are reserved rather than unfriendly.

3.      OPENNESS (O)

 The degree to which a person is broad - minded, curious and original.

4.      AGREEABLENESS (A)

An agreeable person is sympathetic to others and is ready to help them, and believes that others will equally help him in return.

5.      CONSCIENTIOUSNESS (C)

The degree to which a person is responsible, careful, hard–working, organized, dependable and self - disciplined.

CHARACTERISTICS OF PERSONALITY

Some of the fundamental characteristics of personality include:

A.     CONSISTENCY

There is generally a recognizable order and regularity to behaviors. Essentially, people act in the same ways or similar ways in a variety of situations.

B.     PSYCHOLOGICAL AND PHYSIOLOGICAL

Personality is a psychological construct, but research suggests that it is also influenced by biological processes and needs.

C.     IMPACT BEHAVIORS AND ACTIONS

Personality does not just influence hoe we move and respond in our environment; it also causes us to act in certain ways.

D.     MULTIPLE EXPRESSIONS

 Personality is displayed in more than just behavior. It can also be seen in our thoughts, feelings, close relationships and other social interactions.

PERSONALITY DEVELOPMENT

Personality Development quintessentially means enhancing and grooming one’s outer and inner self to bring about a positive change to your life. Each individual has a distinct persona that can be developed, polished and refined. This process includes boosting one’s confidence, improving communication and language speaking abilities, widening ones scope of knowledge, developing certain hobbies or skills, learning fine etiquettes and manners, adding style and grace to the way one looks, talks and walks and overall imbibing oneself with positivity, liveliness and peace. Awareness of the below given qualities along with self – appraisal and efforts for improvement of shortcomings can greatly help in the development of a good personality.

1)    PHYSICAL APPEARANCE

Visual impact is the first impression that you make on others. Factors which help are cleanliness, proper clothing, smartness and cheerfulness. Try to be at your visual best always.

2)    COMMUNICATION SKILLS

Communication skills play a very important role in your personality rating. Communication Skills comprises of speaking ability, comprehension, and voice culture as well as writing skills. Also, if you are a good conversationalist as well as a good listener and genuinely interested in other people, you can win many friends and make a good impression on others.

3)    KNOWLEDGE

A wide and prospective knowledge in addition to depth in your own field of study greatly helps in the building up of your personality. This needs wide reading and assimilation, observation and inquisitiveness to learn and also interaction with learned experienced people.

4)    SKILLS – (PROFESSIONAL AND PERSONAL)

Development of pertinent skills needed for your professional work and personal life greatly enhances your personality. Some of the important ones re leadership skills, organizational skills, practical skills in your field, human management skills, entertainment skills including some basic skills like first-aid, cooking, driving etc.

5)    SELF – CONFIDENCE

It is the confidence in one’s own abilities which helps in taking up responsibilities and initiative. Self – confidence can greatly perk up your image and help you in giving a dynamic personality.

6)    PERSONAL QUALITIES

Toa great extent, it is the personal qualities which constitute and give shape to your personality. Some of the important qualities which help towards a good personality build-up are the following: character and morality; etiquette and manners; discipline; work ethics; time management; friendliness and love: humor; optimism and cheerful attitude: helpful nature: humility; maturity and emotional stability.

7)    HEALTH

Good and robust health is an essential and necessary quality for a good personality. Without good health you become ineffective even if you possess all other qualities and achievements.

8)    ACTIVITIES AND INTERESTS

An active interests in a wide variety of things like sports, cultural activities, as well as interest in some hobbies go a long way in giving an all-round personality to an individual.

9)    ACHIEVEMENTS AND SUCCESS

Finally, achievements and success are factors which enhance your personality and image. They in turn bring popularity and more opportunities. They are great motivating factors which will gave a boost to your personality.

WAYS TO ENHANCE YOUR PERSONALITY

SET AN AIM IN LIFE

If you sit in the boat of life without knowing your destination you will become the slave of circumstances and other people. Your progress or development will totally depend on your luck.

To change this scenario you need to set an aim for your life. It is true that a person has several aims in life but to decide the chief aim is essential to make good progress. When you have an aim it is like a destination – you can chart your route, plan your action and formulate strategies to reach there quickly.

POWER OF KNOWLEDGE

Knowledge is power. Nobody is impressed with a person who a person who doesn’t even know what is happening in the world. He is considered a fool whom no wise man or woman would like to befriend or follow. Therefore, it is necessary to enrich your general knowledge, and you should be the master of the field in which you are working.

To update your general knowledge:

a)     Read newspaper

b)     Watch informative programs on TV

c)      Read good and popular books

d)     Interact (interrelate, communicate) with intelligent persons

LOOK CONFIDENT

A look of confidence on your face impresses everybody. If you walk with a feeling of failure and frustration on your face people will simply avoid you.

Even if you are facing difficulties and worries in your life, you must know how to think and look positive. Shake hands with others firmly. While shaking hands or talking make eye contact with others and don’t forget to wear a smile!

SPEAK IN STYLE

Most of the successful persons maintain a unique style in speaking. They speak clearly and forcefully. Be careful that you have a good command on the language you speak. Don’t make grammatical mistakes else you may become a laughing stock. If necessary take training from a good teacher. Give extra care to your pronunciation. Speaking power is an essential trait of any good personality.

DRESS SMARTLY

A smartly dressed person is admired everywhere. By observing successful people in any field, you will come to the conclusion that most of the successful persons in almost every field have a keen taste for good dresses. Good dresses also prove a stimulus for the wearer. He/she feels more confident and relaxed.

A HEALTHY BODY

A body burdened with disease may get pity from others but it is very difficult for that person to maintain an attractive personality. A healthy and smart look is absolutely essential to attract others. And if you work on it you can easily attain it. Take exercise regularly, play games or go for a morning walk – whatever suits your body and psychology. Eat a balanced diet.

GOOD HABITS

A man is generally a creature of his habits. With bad habits you may become a sheer nuisance for others. Then how will you impress them? Cleanliness, punctuality, completing your work on time, fulfilling your promises, having sincerity and dedication to work, listening to other people with empathy, keeping yourself away from smoking and drinking are the habits which add sparkle and dynamism to your personality. They endear you to people.