Have you ever taken one of those personality tests, like DISC, Myers-Briggs, or maybe the Enneagram? If you’re anything like me, you were probably a little curious about what it would say. Maybe you thought, “I’ll finally understand why I do the things I do.” 

Have you ever found yourself nodding along with the results, thinking, “That’s exactly me”? It felt good, didn’t it? It’s like being handed the manual for your life.

As accountants, many of us are drawn to understanding things in a clear, logical way. We want to know why we act the way we do, why we make the decisions we make, and how we can work smarter, not harder. Personality tests seem like a quick and easy way to get those answers. 

They give you a label—maybe you’re a “Type A,” an “Introvert,” or a “Cautious Thinker.” Whatever the label is, it feels like you finally have a way to explain yourself. It’s almost like having a road map that shows you where to go and what to avoid.

But have you ever wondered if these labels are really helping you, or are they just boxing you in?  At first, they might make you feel seen, like someone finally “gets” you. But after a while, you might start to wonder, “Is this all there is to me?” 

Maybe you’ve found yourself saying things like, “I’m just not good at that because I’m an introvert,” or “I could never do that because I’m too much of a perfectionist.” It’s easy to get boxed in by these labels, even though they’re meant to help you understand yourself better.

We all want to know more about ourselves, especially when we’re trying to make improvements in our lives and careers. Knowing how you think and operate can be helpful when you’re trying to get ahead, set boundaries, or even just manage your workload. 

But the question is, are these labels giving you clarity, or are they holding you back?

What if I told you that those personality test results, those labels, aren’t the final word on who you are? What if your personality isn’t as set in stone as you think? 

The truth is, you’re not stuck being one way just because a test said so. Your personality can evolve, grow, and change over time, just like the skills you’ve developed throughout your career.

The idea that we can change who we are may seem surprising, especially when we’ve been conditioned to believe that our personalities are fixed traits. But think about it—haven’t you already grown and changed over the years? 

Who you were when you first started your accounting career is probably different from who you are now. And that’s a good thing! Change isn’t something to fear; it’s something to embrace.

So, what if we started thinking about our personalities the same way? What if we looked at them as something we could shape, just like any other part of our lives? What if you could move beyond those labels and redefine who you are, both personally and professionally?

Today I want to show you that you’re the one in control of who you are and who you can become. The labels can guide you, but they don’t have to confine you. You have the power to grow, change, and redefine yourself whenever you choose.

Your Personality is Not Set in Stone

I want to share something with you that might change the way you see yourself: your personality isn’t something you’re born with and stuck with forever. It’s actually not set in stone at all.

In the book “Your Personality Isn’t Permanent” by Benjamin Hardy, PhD, he explains how personality tests can make it feel like you don’t have a choice about who you are. But that’s not true. 

Your personality isn’t fixed—it’s something you have control over. We humans have this amazing ability to be flexible and adapt to whatever life throws at us.

Dr. Hardy explains that our personalities are shaped by our experiences, choices, and the environments we’re in. So, who you are today isn’t necessarily who you’re going to be tomorrow, or even a few years from now.

Think about it: when you were a kid, you probably acted one way at school and a different way at home. Maybe you were super outgoing with your friends but more reserved around new people. As you grew up, those behaviors likely shifted based on what you experienced. 

For example, maybe you became more confident after leading a project in college or more cautious after going through something tough at work. These changes didn’t just happen randomly—they were influenced by what you went through and how you reacted.

Dr. Hardy’s research challenges the old idea that personality is something you’re born with and can’t change. Instead, he suggests that personality is more like clay—you can mold it and reshape it over time.

This is actually really freeing because it means you’re not stuck with the labels you or others have given you. If you’ve always seen yourself as “the shy one” or “the perfectionist,” that doesn’t mean you have to stay that way forever. You have the power to evolve.

But here’s the tricky part: once you take a personality test and get labeled as a certain type, it’s easy to feel like you’re stuck in that mold. For example, if you’re told you’re an “Introvert,” you might avoid social situations because you believe they’ll exhaust you, even if a part of you is curious about trying new things. 

This is what’s called a “fixed mindset.” It’s the belief that your personality is set in stone and can’t be changed.

The problem with this mindset is that it can seriously limit your personal growth. If you believe you’re only capable of what your personality label suggests, you might avoid new challenges or experiences that could help you grow. 

For example, if a DISC test labels you as “Cautious,” you might hesitate to take on a leadership role, even if deep down you want to.

Here’s the good news: research shows that personality is a lot more flexible than we’ve been led to believe. A long-term study that followed people’s personalities over 63 years found that their personalities changed way more than the researchers expected.

This means that we’re all capable of change. Your personality is not set in stone—it’s a part of you that can grow and evolve. 

So, if there’s something about yourself you want to change—whether that’s becoming more outgoing, more confident, or more resilient—you absolutely can. It might take time and effort, but it’s possible.

The bottom line is this: instead of thinking about your personality as something permanent, start thinking of it as something you can shape and refine over time. Embrace the idea that you’re a work in progress, and that there’s always room for growth.

The Role of Your Brain in Shaping Personality

Now that we’ve talked about how your personality isn’t set in stone, let’s dive into what makes that possible—your brain. What’s amazing is that your brain is always changing and adapting based on your thoughts, experiences, and actions. This ability is called neuroplasticity, which is just a fancy way of saying that your brain can rewire itself.

Let me give you a real-life example. Imagine your brain like a city full of roads. Every time you have a thought or take an action, it’s like driving down a particular road. The more you use that road, the smoother and more familiar it becomes, kind of like a well-worn highway you’ve traveled a thousand times.

But here’s the cool part—if you decide to take a new route, your brain can actually start building a brand-new road. Over time, this new path can become just as strong as the old one, maybe even stronger.

For example, think about how you might have labeled yourself as “shy” or “cautious” in meetings. Every time you held back from sharing your thoughts, you were reinforcing that “quiet road” in your brain. But what if you decided you wanted to be more vocal and confident? 

By choosing to speak up, even if it feels uncomfortable at first, you start building a new road in your brain—the “confidence road.” The more you practice speaking up, the easier it becomes, and before you know it, that new behavior starts to feel natural.

I had a client who used to avoid speaking in team meetings because she thought of herself as too reserved. But once she decided to challenge that label, she started small—she made a goal to share just one thought in each meeting. It felt awkward at first, but over time, she became more comfortable. Eventually, her new “confidence road” was so strong that speaking up became second nature to her. That’s neuroplasticity at work.

So, when you think about reshaping your personality, remember—you have the power to build new roads in your brain that lead to the version of yourself you want to become.

Becoming the Architect of Your Personality

Let’s clear up a common misconception: that your “authentic self” is some fixed thing—like once you figure it out, that’s it, and you’re stuck with it forever. We hear things like, “Just be your authentic self,” but what does that actually mean, especially when you’re working in a fast-paced career like accounting?

Here’s the thing—if you’ve ever felt stuck trying to figure out who your “authentic self” is, you’re definitely not alone. I felt the same way earlier in my career. I used to think that because I was good at staying behind the scenes, that’s where I belonged. It felt like my role was set in stone. But the truth is, our authentic selves are not set in stone. They’re something we can shape, redefine, and evolve over time.

Think about who you were five or ten years ago. Do you feel like the same person? Probably not! Your experiences, whether it’s the challenges you faced during tax season or the wins you celebrated with passing the CPA exam, all helped shape the person you are today.

So, instead of feeling like there’s one version of yourself that’s locked in, what if you thought of yourself as a work in progress? Your authentic self isn’t something you “discover”—it’s something you create. You have the power to shape who you are, personally and professionally, by deciding which traits, habits, and behaviors you want to bring into your life

Overcoming Obstacles to Change

Let’s get real—changing anything about yourself, whether it’s how you approach your work or how you see yourself, is rarely smooth sailing. Even when you’re excited about becoming a better version of yourself, obstacles are going to pop up along the way.

But here’s the thing—those roadblocks don’t have to stop you. Once you recognize the challenges you’re facing, you can come up with ways to work through them and keep growing.

One of the biggest obstacles? Fear of change. It’s perfectly natural to feel nervous when you step into something unfamiliar. Our brains love comfort and predictability, even if those things are keeping us stuck in habits or routines that don’t serve us. 

You might wonder, “What if I fail?” or “What will other people think?” And that fear can make you hesitate or stay in your comfort zone.

Another challenge is self-doubt—that little voice in your head that makes you question whether you’re really capable of making a change. You might think, “Who am I to try this?” or “What if I’m not good enough?” 

Self-doubt is tricky because it can easily convince you to stay where you are, even if you know you need to grow.

And then there’s the issue of feeling overwhelmed. When you think about all the steps involved in making a big change, it can feel like too much. 

Whether you’re working on setting boundaries at work, taking on a leadership role, or making time for your personal life, it’s easy to get caught up in the sheer size of the task. You might not know where to start, and that can lead to procrastination or avoidance.

Don’t worry if this sounds tricky—I’ll walk you through it. The first step is to normalize them. It’s completely okay to feel scared, doubtful, or overwhelmed. Everyone goes through it. 

But instead of letting those feelings stop you, use them as signals to slow down and figure out what’s really going on. Fear and doubt often pop up when you’re about to do something important.

Next, focus on what’s within your control. You can’t control everything, but you can control your response. Break the change down into small, doable steps. 

If you’re overwhelmed, try focusing on just one thing you can do today. If self-doubt creeps in, remind yourself that everyone struggles at times. What matters is how you move through it.

It’s also important to give yourself permission to grow at your own pace. Change doesn’t happen overnight. It’s a gradual process that comes with setbacks. Be kind to yourself, celebrate the small wins, and remind yourself that progress is what counts, not perfection.

Lastly, find a support system. Whether it’s a mentor, a friend, or a coach like me, having people in your corner who believe in your growth can make all the difference. They can give you the encouragement you need when you’re feeling stuck and remind you of your potential when you’re doubting yourself.

The bottom line is that obstacles will show up, but they don’t have to derail your progress. Recognize them for what they are—challenges that you can work through. By breaking things down, staying patient with yourself, and surrounding yourself with support, you can keep pushing forward.

Becoming a Smarter Accountant: Showing That Your Personality Isn’t Permanent

Let me tell you about a client of mine—her story ties right into what we’ve been talking about in this episode.

When she first came to me, she felt completely stuck in her career. She’s a CPA, and while she was great at her job, she had always seen herself as the “quiet, behind-the-scenes” type. From a young age, she’d been labeled an introvert, and she genuinely believed that meant she wasn’t cut out for leadership roles.

In her mind, her personality didn’t align with being a leader, and that belief kept her from going after promotions or new opportunities at work.

When we started working together, we dove into that label. We talked about how personality isn’t fixed and how she actually had the power to redefine herself if she wanted to. We explored the concept of neuroplasticity—basically, the idea that by changing her thoughts and behaviors, she could reshape her personality over time.

At first, she was hesitant. It’s not easy to question a label you’ve lived with for so long—it felt like an unchangeable truth to her. But there was also this spark of excitement about what might be possible if she let herself grow.

So, we started small. She set manageable goals, like speaking up more in meetings. Even if it was just a quick comment or sharing an idea, those little moments added up. We worked on shifting her mindset, building her confidence by helping her practice visualizing herself as a confident, assertive leader.

And then something amazing happened. Fast forward a few months, and she wasn’t the same person who had felt stuck. She began taking on more visible projects at work. She even volunteered to lead a team for a new initiative.

Her colleagues started seeing her in a new light—not just as the quiet, reliable worker but as someone who could step up, take charge, and inspire others. The transformation wasn’t about her changing who she was at her core; it was about breaking free from those old labels and allowing herself to grow beyond them.

Today, she’s thriving in her leadership role. She’s confident in her ability to lead her team and tackle challenges that once seemed way out of reach.

I’m sharing this story because I want you to see that when you question those limiting labels and embrace the idea that your personality can change, real growth happens—both personally and professionally. She didn’t stop being herself; she just allowed herself to grow beyond the labels that had been holding her back.

So, if you’ve ever felt like your personality is limiting you, I hope this shows you that it doesn’t have to. Your personality isn’t permanent—unless you want it to be.

Key Takeaway and Action Item

The big takeaway here is this: your personality isn’t something set in stone. It’s a dynamic, ever-evolving part of who you are. When you understand that your personality can shift and grow based on the choices you make, the thoughts you think, and the actions you take, you realize that you have the power to shape who you are and who you want to become.

Sure, personality tests and labels can give you some insight into yourself, but they don’t have to define or limit you. You’re in control of your growth and transformation—you get to decide what direction you want to take.

Here’s something to think about this week: ask yourself, “What is one label or belief about myself that I’ve accepted as unchangeable, and how could I start challenging it today to open up new possibilities for my growth?”

Why is this question important? Because it helps you pinpoint those hidden beliefs or labels that may be holding you back without you even realizing it. 

Maybe you’ve always thought of yourself as “not a leader” or “bad at public speaking,” and that belief has stopped you from pursuing new opportunities. By questioning that label, you’re opening up the possibility that it’s not a permanent part of who you are—it’s just a story you’ve been telling yourself. 

Once you challenge that belief, you can start taking small steps to move beyond it and create new opportunities for growth.

Remember, the first step toward change is awareness, and this question helps you become aware of the labels that might be limiting you. From there, you can start breaking free and creating the version of yourself you truly want to be.

Well, that’s what I have for you.  Thank you for joining me as I discussed why your personality isn’t permanent.  I hope you’ve learned something that you can begin to apply in your career or in your personal life.

As I share all the time, you worked hard to become an accountant; it’s time to make it easier to be one.

So if you are struggling with any aspect of being an accountant, you can simply go to www.thesmarteraccountant.com/calendar and book a free session with me.

And make sure you check back each week as I help you go from being a stressed accountant to a Smarter Accountant.

Make sure you go to www.thesmarteraccountant.com and take The Smarter Accountant Quiz. You’re going to want to know if you’ve been underutilizing your accountant brain so that you have a starting point for becoming a Smarter Accountant..

Also, I would appreciate it if you could get the word out to other accountants about this podcast.  The more accountants find out about it, the more we can begin to change the narrative in the accounting profession.

The truth is that you’re already smart, but this podcast will show you how to be smarter.