Even as a clinical psychologist and personality scientist, I fall for it. Every year around this time, my feed fills up with bold promises:

“New Year, New You.”

“This one habit will change everything.”

“The calendar system that will double your productivity.”

Despite spending the last 15 years studying behavior change, personality development, and developing evidence-based treatments, I still feel the pull.

Why? Because wouldn’t it be wonderful if meaningful change were quick and easy?

The idea that a single insight, habit, or system could instantly transform how we think, feel, and behave is deeply appealing, especially when we’re tired and overextended (which, of course, we are as the holidays come to a close).

So even though I know better, I still have to bring myself back to reality by actively questioning common reinvention promises.

Below are three personal growth myths worth treating with skepticism, along with what actually works when it comes to personality change.

True story: I once bought a Tupperware lid organizer on Prime day believing that this was my ticket to becoming a more organized person in general.

In hindsight, this was wishful thinking. Yes, changing your behavior is an important ingredient in personality change. But no single habit is a magic lever. There is no miracle product, supplement, or planner.

Bottom line: I’d be highly skeptical if an influencer or advertisement is making big claims that this will change your life.

What personality science says you should try instead: Personality is........

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