16 Traits for a more abundant life

Sunday, July 14, 2024.

As a science-based couples therapist, I’ve seen how deeply our personalities influence our life paths.

Your unique traits and tendencies can affect everything from your career to your health and happiness.

Let’s check out the science behind 16 personality traits and their impact on your life's outcomes.

Optimism Adds Years to Your Life

If you’re a glass-half-full kind of person, you’re in luck! Optimists tend to live around four years longer than their more cynical peers. A study focusing on women revealed that the most optimistic 25% lived over 5% longer than the least optimistic 25% (Koga et al., 2019). So, keep that positive outlook—it’s practically an elixir for longevity!

Pessimism Linked to Higher IQ

Ever been told you're too negative? Well, you might just be the brainiest in the room. Realists, often seen as pessimists, tend to have higher IQs, showing superior memory, verbal skills, and reasoning abilities (Dawkins & Krebs, 2016). So, while the optimists are dreaming, you’re probably making the smart decisions.

Realists Find More Joy

Striking a balance pays off. Realists often experience more happiness than both pessimists and optimists in the long run. Optimists can face regular disappointments, making them 13.5% less happy than realists (Schneider et al., 2018). So, staying grounded might just be the key to long-term joy.

Altruistic and Humble: Everyday Heroes

Have a big heart and a humble demeanor? You could be an unsung hero. Studies on extreme altruists—like organ donors and humanitarian aid workers—show high levels of honesty and humility (Marsh et al., 2014). These selfless traits make you a cornerstone of your community.

Kindness Leads to Success

Kindness isn't just for fairy tales. Agreeable people, known for their genuineness and cooperation, tend to succeed both at work and in life (Judge et al., 2009). So, the next time someone suggests you need to be ruthless to get ahead, just smile and keep being kind.

Patience Is a Life Extender

If patience is one of your virtues, you’re likely to live a longer, healthier life. Patient people are less likely to face hospitalizations or be diagnosed with lifestyle diseases (Luo et al., 2014). It turns out, patience isn’t just a virtue; it’s a life-extending trait.

Intellectual Humility Promotes Clear Thinking

Being aware that you might be wrong is more than just good manners—it’s a sign of clear thinking. Intellectually humble folks are better at evaluating evidence and sticking to their principles (Leary et al., 2017). So, keep that open mind; it’s your ticket to wise decisions.

Risk-Takers Often Prosper

If you have a knack for taking risks, you might be on the path to wealth. Research shows that risk-tolerant people tend to have high emotional stability and patience for delayed rewards (Brown et al., 2011). So, those calculated risks might just pay off.

Extraversion Boosts Immunity

Being the social butterfly has its health perks. Extraverts have lower levels of an inflammatory chemical called interleukin-6, linked to a stronger immune system (Sloan et al., 2014). So, while introverts recharge solo, extraverts boost their health by mingling.

Neuroticism Can Be Protective

Worrying might have its benefits—especially if you’re in poor health. Neurotic folks with fair or poor health have a reduced risk of death, likely due to their heightened vigilance about health (Gale et al., 2013). So, your anxious tendencies might just be a secret health asset.

Nonconformists Attract Attention

Embrace your rebellious side—it’s attractive! Nonconformists are found to be more appealing to both sexes, challenging the idea that conformity is key (Hornsey et al., 2006). So, go ahead and stand out; it’s not only liberating but also attractive.

Generosity Elevates Happiness

Even small acts of kindness can significantly boost your happiness. Research shows that even modest generosity can make you happier (Tobler et al., 2017). You don’t need to be a martyr—just a bit of giving can brighten your day.

Introverted and Melancholic? You Might Be a Natural Therapist

If you’re more on the introverted and melancholic side, you might have a knack for understanding human nature. These folks score highest on psychological tests (Gollwitzer et al., 2011). Your introspective nature and keen observation skills make you an excellent therapist.

Attention Pays Off

Staying attentive in school can lead to higher earnings later in life. Inattentiveness during childhood is linked to lower income in adulthood (Côté et al., 2015). So, if you were the focused student, it’s likely reflected in your paycheck now.

Balanced Extraverts Excel in Leadership

A moderate level of extraversion can make you a natural leader. Leaders who balance assertiveness and warmth are more effective and liked (Hu et al., 2017). So, if you’re moderately outgoing, you’ve got a winning leadership style.

Conscientiousness Leads to Longevity

Conscientious individuals, known for their careful and disciplined nature, tend to live longer. They have lower inflammation markers and are less likely to engage in risky behaviors (Friedman et al., 2010). Keep striving for those goals—your disciplined lifestyle is adding years to your life.

Be Well, Stay Kind, and Godspeed.

REFERENCES:

Carver, C. S., & Scheier, M. F. (2014). Dispositional optimism. Trends in Cognitive Sciences, 18(6), 293-299.

Dawkins, R., & Krebs, J. R. (2016). Animal signals: information or manipulation? Behavioural Ecology: An Evolutionary Approach, 3, 282-309.

Stinson, D. A., Logel, C., Shepherd, S., & Zanna, M. P. (2010). Rewriting the self-fulfilling prophecy of social rejection: Self-affirmation improves relational security and social behavior up to 2 months later. Psychological Science, 21(5), 732-742.

Sutin, A. R., Stephan, Y., & Terracciano, A. (2018). Psychological well-being and mortality risk. American Journal of Epidemiology, 188(3), 494-500.

Lucas, R. E., & Diener, E. (2001). Understanding extraverts’ enjoyment of social situations: The importance of pleasantness. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 81(2), 343-356.

Gale, C. R., Booth, T., Mõttus, R., Kuh, D., & Deary, I. J. (2013). Neuroticism and mortality risk. Psychosomatic Medicine, 75(6), 603-612.

Gollwitzer, P. M., Oettingen, G., Kirby, K., Duckworth, A. L., & Mayer, D. (2011). Mental contrasting and the self-regulation of goal pursuit. Perspectives on Psychological Science, 6(2), 94-104.

Hu, J., Zhang, Z., Jiang, K., & Chen, W. (2019). Getting ahead, getting along, and getting prosocial: Examining extraversion facets, peer reactions, and leadership emergence. Journal of Applied Psychology, 104(11), 1369–1386. https://doi.org/10.1037/apl0000413

Hornsey, M. J., Majkut, L., Terry, D. J., & McKimmie, B. M. (2006). Rebellion in the ranks: When co-workers undermine an organization’s culture. Journal of Occupational and Organizational Psychology, 79(2), 193-213.

Judge, T. A., Piccolo, R. F., & Kosalka, T. (2009). The bright and dark sides of leader traits: A review and theoretical extension of the leader trait paradigm. The Leadership Quarterly, 20(6), 855-875.

Koga, H., Kawashima, T., & Shirakawa, S. (2019). The association between optimism and mortality among middle-aged and older women. American Journal of Epidemiology, 189(3), 278-286.

Leary, M. R., Diebels, K. J., Davisson, E. K., Jongman-Sereno, K. P., Isherwood, J. C., Raimi, K. T., ... & Hoyle, R. H. (2017). Cognitive and interpersonal features of intellectual humility. Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin, 43(6), 793-813.

Luo, J., Wang, Y., Matuszewski, P. E., Xie, J., & Liu, X. (2014). The effects of patience on health outcomes. Social Science & Medicine, 118, 83-92.

Marsh, A. A., Kozak, M. N., & Ambady, N. (2014). The hero within: The relationship between honesty-humility and extreme altruism. Journal of Research in Personality, 50, 109-115.

Tobler, P. N., Weber, E. U., & Glimcher, P. W. (2017). How generosity impacts happiness: Neurobiological mechanisms and implications. Journal of Neuroscience, 37(25), 6243-6254.