A growing body of psychology suggests personality is not fixed for adults. With deliberate effort, Thais can reshape traits to boost mental health, improve social connections, and increase daily happiness. A recent CBS News piece highlights a journalist who transformed her life by expanding beyond her comfort zone, illustrating how science supports intentional change.
The case follows Olga Khazan, a journalist who wrestled with social anxiety and high neuroticism for years. Conventional therapies, medications, and yoga offered limited relief. She then conducted a year-long personal experiment to modify ingrained habits and traits. Her approach combined conversation classes, journaling, and improv comedy, pushing her beyond comfort until new behaviors felt natural. The narrative resonates with both contemporary self-improvement movements and Buddhist ideas about self-cultivation.
Why this matters for Thai audiences? Thailand’s social culture prizes politeness, harmony, and deference. Many people rank high on agreeableness and conscientiousness, yet some struggle to speak up in class or at work due to kreng jai—the tendency to shield others from embarrassment. If personality can change, Thais may gain confidence to manage social anxiety, lead teams, and adapt to a fast-changing economy and education system. Students preparing for innovative workplaces and retirees seeking more meaningful lives can benefit from proactive self-leadership.
The science comes from researchers like Professor Shannon Sauer-Zavala at the University of Kentucky. Her work shows targeted interventions can shift key traits in as little as 12 to 20 weeks. “It doesn’t make sense that personality stops changing in adulthood,” she asserts. “When we change how we think, feel, and act and sustain those changes, we’re effectively shifting our personality.” Journalists and researchers cited by reputable outlets reinforce these findings.
Recent studies from Michigan State University add that improving daily stress management can correlate with becoming more extroverted—an encouraging sign for Thailand’s increasingly competitive, digital workplaces. Practical steps endorsed by science include starting with a baseline personality assessment, selecting traits to modify (for instance moving from shyness to sociability or from disorganization to order), and practicing “opposite” behaviors until new habits become second nature.
Experts caution that the concept is straightforward, but execution is demanding. Early, unfamiliar actions may feel inauthentic as the brain rewires. The experiences of Khazan and leading psychologists underscore the importance of persistence. In her book, Me, But Better: The Science and Promise of Personality Change, she describes setbacks and eventual transformation, underscoring that happiness can grow through deliberate practice.
Self-improvement literature reinforces this message. A review from the Greater Good Science Center notes that ambivalence—the thought “maybe one day I’ll change”—often blocks progress. Modern science argues that “today” can be the moment to begin.
In Thailand, mindfulness and behavioral education are already being integrated into classrooms and communities. Mindfulness practices, drama-based learning, and positive psychology are helping students build resilience and leadership within the framework of kreng jai. The latest science aligns with Thai wisdom: personality may have genetic roots, but daily habits provide fertile ground for growth.
Not all experts expect rapid, unlimited change. Some argue that core dispositions like extreme introversion or high emotional sensitivity have biological components that slow transformation. A recent 2024 analysis highlights that environment, genetics, and social expectations create stability. For Thai families and communities, support can be a powerful ally or a barrier, and cultural expectations about face and embarrassment shape what changes feel acceptable.
Practical advice from experts is clear: start small. Journaling helps track progress, while trying new clubs or activities gradually expands social comfort. Students can practice debate or volunteer leadership to cultivate assertiveness and organizational skills—traits increasingly valued by Thai employers.
Looking ahead, neuroscience, digital tools, and positive psychology will blend further. Mood-tracking apps, AI coaching, and online support groups are on the horizon. Thailand is already seeing workshops and tools that help people set and monitor personal goals. As the science matures, more evidence-based resources will likely appear in Thai and English, empowering a new generation to guide their own growth.
Action steps for readers who want to begin now:
- Take a reputable personality assessment to establish a baseline.
- Choose a specific trait to improve, such as sociability or organization.
- Practice deliberate, small actions daily—initiate conversations, keep commitments, and adopt new habits until they feel natural.
- Seek support from friends, teachers, or local groups to sustain progress.
For further exploration, consider updated global and local resources on personality change, including contemporary books and university or community workshops. Growth demands time and patience, much like Thailand’s shared effort to preserve heritage while embracing progress.