What to Do When Your Personality and Values Change Over Time

Sometimes the hardest part of life is letting go of something we've become comfortable with or accustomed to. For better or worse, it's nice to have consistency and believe that we can count on something amid the chaos of life, even if that's just yourself. But let's face it, even the most put-together person has experienced his or her share of change, and you're no exception. If that freaks you out a little (or a lot) know that knowledge is power, and while you're always evolving, it can simply be different, or for the better.

Harvard Psychology researcher Daniel Gilbert notes that most people are in touch with how much they've changed in the past, but underestimate the personality changes to come. Gilbert surveyed over 19,000 people, and discovered that whether a participant was a "18 or 68," each generally reported that the changes in the past 10 years were more significant and plentiful than the ones taking place in the 10 years to come. 

While some people's rate of personality evolution may slow after 30, coming down from the rapid changes taking place early in life, the fact is that no matter the age, people generally think the bulk of their changes are behind them. 

Gilbert explains that there aren't definitive findings explaining why the "end of history illusion" is so pervasive and common. It could be due to people's inability to imagine or predict what has yet to happen, or a general comfort with the status quo and a lack of desire to change the current course of life. 

Here are some questions for you to contemplate to get more in touch with how you've changed, and what changes could be-a comin'!

1. What are the top 3 positive and negative significant events that have shaped you in the last 10 years?

2. What are the top 3 achievements or life changes personally and professionally that you're on track for in the next decade? Or the ones you imagine could happen that you haven't actively planned for yet?

3. What core qualities have stayed the same or become strengthened during the last 10 years of your life? Which changed as a result of an experience or conversation?