
Enjoy fast, free delivery, exclusive deals, and award-winning movies & TV shows with Prime
Try Prime
and start saving today with fast, free delivery
Amazon Prime includes:
Fast, FREE Delivery is available to Prime members. To join, select "Try Amazon Prime and start saving today with Fast, FREE Delivery" below the Add to Cart button.
Amazon Prime members enjoy:- Cardmembers earn 5% Back at Amazon.com with a Prime Credit Card.
- Unlimited Free Two-Day Delivery
- Streaming of thousands of movies and TV shows with limited ads on Prime Video.
- A Kindle book to borrow for free each month - with no due dates
- Listen to over 2 million songs and hundreds of playlists
- Unlimited photo storage with anywhere access
Important: Your credit card will NOT be charged when you start your free trial or if you cancel during the trial period. If you're happy with Amazon Prime, do nothing. At the end of the free trial, your membership will automatically upgrade to a monthly membership.
Buy new:
-35% $18.11$18.11
Ships from: Amazon Sold by: Barrett Dry Goods
Save with Used - Good
$9.95$9.95
Ships from: Amazon Sold by: Korkyito

Download the free Kindle app and start reading Kindle books instantly on your smartphone, tablet, or computer - no Kindle device required.
Read instantly on your browser with Kindle for Web.
Using your mobile phone camera - scan the code below and download the Kindle app.
Image Unavailable
Color:
-
-
-
- To view this video download Flash Player
Follow the author
OK
Personality Isn't Permanent: Break Free from Self-Limiting Beliefs and Rewrite Your Story Hardcover – June 16, 2020
Purchase options and add-ons
In Personality Isn’t Permanent, Dr. Benjamin Hardy draws on psychological research to demolish the popular misconception that personality—a person’s consistent attitudes and behaviors—is innate and unchanging. Hardy liberates us from the limiting belief that our “true selves” are to be discovered, and shows how we can intentionally create our desired selves and achieve amazing goals instead. He offers practical, science-based advice to for personal-reinvention, including:
• Why personality tests such as Myers-Briggs and Enneagram are not only psychologically destructive but are no more scientific than horoscopes
• Why you should never be the “former” anything--because defining yourself by your past successes is just as damaging to growth as being haunted by past failures
• How to design your current identity based on your desired future self and make decisions here-and-now through your new identity
• How to reframe traumatic and painful experiences into a fresh narrative supporting your future success
• How to become confident enough to define your own life’s purpose
• How to create a network of “empathetic witnesses” who actively encourage you through the highs and lows of extreme growth
• How to enhance your subconscious to overcome addictions and limiting patterns
• How redesign your environment to pull you toward your future, rather than keep you stuck in the past
• How to tap into what psychologists call “pull motivation” by narrowing your focus on a single, definable, and compelling outcome
The book includes true stories of intentional self-transformation—such as Vanessa O’Brien, who quit her corporate job and set the Guinness World Record for a woman climbing the highest peak on every continent in the fastest time; Andre Norman, who became a Harvard fellow after serving a fourteen-year prison sentence; Ken Arlen, who instantly quit smoking by changing his identity narrative; and Hardy himself, who transcended his childhood in a broken home, surrounded by issues of addiction and mental illness, to earn his PhD and build a happy family.
Filled with strategies for reframing your past and designing your future, Personality Isn’t Permanent is a guide to breaking free from the past and becoming the person you want to be.
- Print length272 pages
- LanguageEnglish
- PublisherPortfolio
- Publication dateJune 16, 2020
- Dimensions5.61 x 1.06 x 8.55 inches
- ISBN-100593083318
- ISBN-13978-0593083314
Discover the latest buzz-worthy books, from mysteries and romance to humor and nonfiction. Explore more

Explore your book, then jump right back to where you left off with Page Flip.
View high quality images that let you zoom in to take a closer look.
Enjoy features only possible in digital – start reading right away, carry your library with you, adjust the font, create shareable notes and highlights, and more.
Discover additional details about the events, people, and places in your book, with Wikipedia integration.
Frequently bought together

Frequently purchased items with fast delivery
- This is how successful people live: They become who they want to be by orienting their life toward their goals, not as a repeat of the past; by acting bravely as their future selves, not by perpetuating who they formerly were.Highlighted by 2,184 Kindle readers
- Your personality should come from your goals. Your goals shouldn’t come from your personality.Highlighted by 1,986 Kindle readers
- The most successful people in the world base their identity and internal narrative on their future, not their past.Highlighted by 945 Kindle readers
Editorial Reviews
Review
—Seth Godin, author of This Is Marketing
“Personality Isn't Permanent is possibly the best self-help book I've ever read, and a book that will redefine the genre. After this book, it's no longer good enough to talk about untested theory—Hardy backs everything up with both amazing stories and cutting edge, tested science, while still making it actionable to anyone. Best part: this is the book that destroys all the useless personality test peddlers that infect the world."
—Tucker Max, author of I Hope They Serve Beer in Hell
"In Personality Isn’t Permanent, Hardy crushes an outdated paradigm and gives you the process to create a bigger, bolder future."
—JJ Virgin, author of The Virgin Diet
"Ben Hardy is proof of what he writes about. He keeps getting better and better--and so can you."
—Ryan Holiday, author of Stillness is the Key
"For those looking to up their game, Personality isn't Permanent is more than a hopeful and fascinating read, it is utterly applicable. In the crowded genre of self-help/business, Benjamin Hardy's book is a game changer."
—Richard Paul Evans, author of The Christmas Box
“Personality Isn't Permanent beautifully illustrates why people get stuck and provides a science-based process to help you transform yourself and your life. This is required reading for anyone who wants to improve their self-awareness and success!”
—Dr. Tasha Eurich, author of Insight
"Personality Isn't Permanent is a supremely brilliant work and a must read. You can rewrite your story."
—Glenn Morshower, award-winning actor, producer and director
"Dr. Hardy enlightens you on the role trauma plays in shaping personality. Change is possible when past traumas are healed. Personality is in a continual state of change. This book will help you write your future story." --Dr. Donald Wood, Founder/CEO Inspired Performance Institute
"Given the importance of this book, it should sell millions of copies. It's novel, timely, and transformational."--Joe Polish, founder of Genius Network and Genius Recovery
"Personality Isn't Permanent is the book we all hope is true. And Ben Hardy makes the most compelling and hopeful case that it is. Revolutionary."--Richie Norton, author of The Power ofStarting Something Stupid
"As the saying goes, the future isn't what it used to be. Benjamin Hardy illustrates this truth perfectly in Personality Isn't Permanent, providing both method and motivation to frame your future as the best version of you. --Harvey Mackay, author of Swim With The Sharks Without Being Eaten Alive
"Personality Isn't Permanent provides a robust science-backed roadmap for helping you rewrite your self-limiting stories--and to keep writing and editing them for success throughout your lifelong journey."--Dr. Steven G. Eisenberg
Praise for Willpower Doesn't Work
"If you want to get more done, don't worry about willpower-focus on motivation. Challenging the dominant view of self-control as a muscle, Benjamin Hardy reveals that produccvitity is really about clarity and commitment." -Adam Grant, author of Originals and Give and Take
"Benjamin Hardy is one of the leading voices on well-being and productivity. Willpower Doesn't Work is an insightful guide to help us thrive in today's world." - Arianna Huffington
"Change your environment, change your life. Ben Hardy's book is a prescription for excellence and contains the hidden keys to success." -Ryan Holiday, bestselling author of The Obstacle Is the Way
"If you only read one book in 2018, make it this one. . . . This book will help you accomplish more in less time than any other book--by changing your entire approach to confidence and personal commitment." --Inc.
"A welcome prescription for those striving to overcome challenges and realize their aspirations." --Library Journal
"This is a must-grab book!" --BuzzFeed
About the Author
Excerpt. © Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved.
"Because sometimes the past deserves a second chance."
—Malcolm Gladwell
A common scientific premise of many theories is known as “causal determinism”—the idea that everything that happens or exists is caused by antecedent conditions or events. From this view, people are determined—not influenced—by prior events, like one domino in a toppling chain.
In looking at human behavior, psychologists have come to agree that the best way to predict future behavior is by looking at past behavior. And for the most part, that perspective is validated over and over. Indeed, people seem quite predictable over time. The important question is, Why?
A dominant view of predictable behavior is that “personality” is a stable “trait” that is for the most part unchangeable. However, as will be shown throughout this book, this explanation is a gross and curate oversimplification, which ultimately leads to mindlessness, justification, and a lack of radical progress and intentional living.
Yes, people’s behavior can appear to be, and often is, predictable and consistent over time. But the reason for that consistency is not a fixed and unalterable personality. Instead, there are four far deeper reasons, which keep people stuck in patterns:
• They continue to be defined by past traumas that haven’t been reframed.
• They have an identity narrative based on the past, not the future.
• Their subconscious keeps them consistent with their former self and emotions.
• They have an environment supporting their current rather than their future identity.
These are the levers that drive personality—and whether you realize it or not, you can control them. When you change, reframe, or manage these levers, your personality and life can change in intentional and remarkable ways.
Product details
- Publisher : Portfolio (June 16, 2020)
- Language : English
- Hardcover : 272 pages
- ISBN-10 : 0593083318
- ISBN-13 : 978-0593083314
- Item Weight : 12.8 ounces
- Dimensions : 5.61 x 1.06 x 8.55 inches
- Best Sellers Rank: #101,335 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #769 in Motivational Management & Leadership
- #979 in Business Motivation & Self-Improvement (Books)
- #1,965 in Success Self-Help
- Customer Reviews:
Videos
Videos for this product
2:21
Click to play video
Honest Review of Personality Isn't Permanent Book
Monica Munro
Videos for this product
1:11
Click to play video
Jeff Fuson Reviews Personality Isn’t Permanent
Jeff Fuson
Videos for this product
0:45
Click to play video
This book has changed my life and it will change yours
Customer Video
About the author

Dr. Benjamin Hardy is an organizational psychologist whose books have sold millions of copies worldwide. Among those are the trilogy of entrepreneurial strategy books—Who Not How, The Gap and the Gain, and 10x is Easier than 2x—which he co-authored with Dan Sullivan. Dr. Hardy helps leaders and organizations achieve impossible goals. He and his wife, Lauren, live in Orlando, Florida, with their seven children.
Customer reviews
Customer Reviews, including Product Star Ratings help customers to learn more about the product and decide whether it is the right product for them.
To calculate the overall star rating and percentage breakdown by star, we don’t use a simple average. Instead, our system considers things like how recent a review is and if the reviewer bought the item on Amazon. It also analyzed reviews to verify trustworthiness.
Learn more how customers reviews work on AmazonCustomers say
Customers find the book insightful and motivational. They describe it as an easy, valuable read that blends psychology with real-life examples. Readers appreciate the actionable steps to becoming who they want to be. The book helps them focus on their future and create an amazing future. Overall, customers consider it a great value for money.
AI-generated from the text of customer reviews
Customers find the book insightful and helpful for rethinking their thought process. They find it motivating and packed with wisdom, with insights from solid research results to practical exercises. Readers appreciate the author's writings and philosophy on life.
"...It will help you set clear goals that you're excited about, and get you out of your own way so you can live the life of your dreams...." Read more
"...Personality Isn't Permanent is a very motivational read! I definitely recommend this book for anyone interested in personal development and growth." Read more
"...I am reinvigorated by this wonderful book! I’m journaling about my Future Self, defining who and how I choose to be...." Read more
"...you should know its similar to his other words; nevertheless, still inspiring and quick read." Read more
Customers find the book easy to read and recommend it as a valuable read. They describe it as a spellbinding, brilliant, and practical read that is worth reading annually. The book is also considered a must-read for students in high school and college.
"...interested in personal growth and development, I highly recommend reading this book annually...." Read more
"This was the absolute best book I could have picked to kick off a new year! I actually love personality tests...." Read more
"...its similar to his other words; nevertheless, still inspiring and quick read." Read more
"...This is a must read for 2020—especially in our troubled times. There is hope, and we can change!" Read more
Customers find the book easy to read and understand. It explains concepts clearly in simple terms, providing a clear road map and process. The writing is straightforward and disciplined, making it an engaging read.
"...Dr. Hardy explains, in the simplest of terms, how to go about redefining the meaning of past mistakes and emotionally traumatic experiences...." Read more
"...Dr. Hardy really invites us to write our thoughts, process our traumas, and imagine our future self and write about it...." Read more
"Clear reasoning and disciplined writing make the material easy to absorb and memorable...." Read more
"...It’s not a bunch of psychology-speak. It’s easy to read, easy to understand, easy to put into use. Choose. Plan. Act...." Read more
Customers find the book helpful for understanding personality. They say it provides a blueprint for self-directed personal change. The book blends psychology, real-life examples, and personal experiences in a logical yet personal manner.
"Personality Isn’t Permanent is a game changer, calling us all to choose to live as our best selves...." Read more
"...First, it teaches that you can change who you are. Your personality can change. It isn't permanent! Isn't that a liberating concept to ponder?..." Read more
"...Benjamin Hardy says that our personalities are not fixed and that we can choose who we want to become, no matter what kind of tendencies we have...." Read more
"If you’re ready to reinvent yourself then this book, Personality Isn't Permanent, by Dr. Benjamin Hardy is for you...." Read more
Customers find the book provides actionable steps to become who they want to be. They appreciate the proactive approach and flow of concepts that can be applied. The book is described as an easy read with insightful prompts.
"...clearly and concisely drives to the point and left me with real, actionable steps I can take to define and realize a future vision of myself...." Read more
"...Dr. Hardy’s writing style which is well written and an easy and actionable read...." Read more
"...It’s a roadmap with anecdotes, research, prompts, and encouragement to go after one’s chosen future self." Read more
"...It synthesized in a great actionable manner. Simply reading this book isn’t enough, you need to also complete the questions (the ‘workbook’ section)...." Read more
Customers find the book helpful in refocusing on their future. They say it helps them create an amazing future for themselves. The message is simple, with a clear vision of their ideal future self and one keystone goal. It helps them process traumas and imagine their future self, and connect to their future self.
"...invites us to write our thoughts, process our traumas, and imagine our future self and write about it...." Read more
"...daily setup for journaling, the journaling itself, and the focus on my future self, both in my thoughts and self-talk, have set me on a path to new..." Read more
"...He helps you see and connect to your future self - the person you will become...." Read more
"...At its core this books message is simple - a clear vision of your ideal future self + one keystone goal will create a powerful identity/..." Read more
Customers like the book's value for money. They say it's all about taking action and zero fluff.
"...Benjamin Hardy is the real deal and gives freely of what he has learned empirically, not conjecture and hypothesis. Ready to change?..." Read more
"...for dynamic self-directed personality change, which is priceless in terms of lifelong growth." Read more
"...It was offered here on Amazon at a very good reasonable fair price. I would suggest and recommend it to everyone." Read more
"Actionable, great flow, great value from the very start...." Read more
Customers find the book's content useful and engaging. They say it covers many good and useful things, and that the quotes from the book fill multiple journal pages.
"...This book is the perfect accumulation of it all in that you literally will become who you want your future self to be by focusing on your future..." Read more
"Ben covers many good and useful things but to me was the reframing and how we look at the negatives the will always occur in life, to change our..." Read more
"...that has soul enriching content on every single page that keeps you wanting more...." Read more
"...to chapter 2 and I have to say, this book has met my expectations and MORE. I am so surprised at how wonderful and HELPFUL this book is...." Read more
Reviews with images

You can create your life - here’s how
Top reviews from the United States
There was a problem filtering reviews. Please reload the page.
- Reviewed in the United States on January 8, 2024I own and have read all of Dr. Benjamin Hardy's books, and this is my favorite one. If you are interested in personal growth and development, I highly recommend reading this book annually. It will help you set clear goals that you're excited about, and get you out of your own way so you can live the life of your dreams.
We don't realize how detrimental unresolved trauma can be and that it can actually stunt our growth. Dr. Hardy explains, in the simplest of terms, how to go about redefining the meaning of past mistakes and emotionally traumatic experiences. I have never read another book that helped me to understand how to go about doing this, before now.
The reality is, our personalities are not fixed. We can change. We can break free from negative thought patterns that keep us locked into worry and rumination, and we can have anything we want in life if we are willing to put forth the effort into consciously creating a powerful vision for the future. We can be whoever we want to be.
Every time I read a book by Dr. Benjamin Hardy, I learn something new. I buy and read the books he recommends, and I immediately apply what makes sense under the circumstances in my own life. This is the author all of us "self-help" junkies have needed for many years. I am eternally grateful for the wisdom I have gleaned from this book.
- Reviewed in the United States on January 13, 2021This was the absolute best book I could have picked to kick off a new year!
I actually love personality tests. We've done the DiSC and Kolbe assessments at my work. I think they're really helpful in getting to know yourself better and how you work with other people.
But, in his book, Personality Isn't Permanent, Benjamin Hardy definitely makes you think differently about those kinds of assessments. Personality tests can be limiting, and it's important not to let them prevent you from creating the life you are meant to live.
“When you decide who you’ll be and the life you’ll live, you can have anything you truly want. You can become an outlier. You can have experiences that not only shock other people but shock yourself ”
Hardy focuses a lot on "trauma" which, to be honest, I found a little hard to get my head around. We tend to think of trauma as major incidents that cause PTSD. However, what he means by trauma is: failures and missed opportunities. It can be a much smaller scale -- anytime someone or something made you feel bad about something that now limits you in some way.
He gives the example of a woman whose teacher corrected her drawing something like 40 years ago, and this incident stuck with her her entire life. It made her feel like she was not capable of creating art and so she never pursued it, despite a deep inner desire to illustrate children's books.
Throughout the book, I had to keep thinking about what trauma may have occurred to me that could be holding me back in some way. I realized public speaking is probably my thing. There wasn't a specific incident of a person making me feel bad, it's just a fear of mine. I shy away from it. "I'm not good at public speaking," is an excuse I tell myself and others. My personality tests confirm that this is not one of my strong suits. I am a heads-down, behind the scenes kind of worker, not an Influencer (on the DiSC scale). If public speaking were necessary for growth in my career, then this is the type of self-limiting belief that would hold me back from becoming who I'm truly meant to be.
Hardy talks a lot about journaling:
“Your journal is a brilliant place to actively convince yourself, emotionally, that what you want is already yours—you influence yourself through strategic communication”
In every chapter, he provides self-reflective questions to answer in your journal. This is very helpful for the reader to apply what they're learning as they read the book.
Personality Isn't Permanent is a very motivational read! I definitely recommend this book for anyone interested in personal development and growth.
- Reviewed in the United States on November 7, 2024Personality Isn’t Permanent is a game changer, calling us all to choose to live as our best selves. Benjamin Hardy walks us through what shapes us and the choices we can make whenever we want to.
I am reinvigorated by this wonderful book! I’m journaling about my Future Self, defining who and how I choose to be. I’m committed to living life full out from my best self while making a difference for others. This one is a Must Read.
- Reviewed in the United States on December 26, 2023Its a mish mash of his blog posts, youtube videos and other books. Nothing wrong with that but petty redundant ideas.
Going in you should know its similar to his other words; nevertheless, still inspiring and quick read.
- Reviewed in the United States on June 19, 2020I'm lucky enough to have been able to read an advanced copy of Personality Isn’t Permanent, since I interviewed Dr. Hardy for my podcast, Stories of Hope in Hard Times. I also ordered a hardbound book because I plan on re-reading this transformational book over and over!
This is a powerful book about hope. First, it teaches that you can change who you are. Your personality can change. It isn't permanent! Isn't that a liberating concept to ponder? You don't have to stay stuck if you aren't happy. You can change! Second, it teaches you that the trauma you have experienced in life is can be reframed/changed so that you look more at the lessons and who you've become because of it instead of staying stuck.
In the introduction, Dr. Hardy explains, “The biggest evidence of the ideas in this book is my own life.” He changed from being a video game junkie who barely graduated from high school to being the #1 blogger on Medium and earned his doctorate in Psychology.
One thing I love about this book is the personal stories Dr. Hardy shares throughout. The stories help teach the concepts he is explaining in such a logical but extremely personal manner. I didn’t feel like I was being talked down to by a doctor who was speaking way above my head. Dr. Hardy is personable and down to earth.
I love the journaling prompts throughout the book. Dr. Hardy really invites us to write our thoughts, process our traumas, and imagine our future self and write about it. The more clear who we want to be becomes, we can then break down into mini-goals how to get there.
This is a must read for 2020—especially in our troubled times. There is hope, and we can change!
- Reviewed in the United States on November 11, 2024This book will help you reprogram your mind. You will learn that you don't need to be tied to old versions of yourself.
Top reviews from other countries
- PatriciaReviewed in Canada on October 9, 2023
5.0 out of 5 stars Very insightful, definitely recommend!
I struggle with multiple beliefs in terms to whether I am lazy, depressed, or simply carry trauma in my life that shaped me to the person I’ve become.
This book has brought clarity and understanding, in my beliefs, and has helped me reflect on the fixed mindset. I am able to perceive life and myself in a lot more clarity based on action steps given in this book. I would and will strongly recommend this book to those who believe they struggle with labels, past history, and perceived life events that hold great control and meaning to their very life. I borrowed this book from the library and insisted on ordering a copy of my own, after just reading 2 chapters into the book. The author offers insight on topics that hold a person back in their history, and based on labels created by society. This has been eye opening and humbling to experience a fresh dimension on thought processing as well as beliefs created.
- Amazon CustomerReviewed in India on January 7, 2023
5.0 out of 5 stars A Must Read!
This book helped me understand that one does not need to live their old self...Personality can be changed!!
Thank you, Benjamin for this beautiful revelation!
- MeenaReviewed in the United Arab Emirates on October 10, 2021
5.0 out of 5 stars Some Books are A life Long investment !!
I've read Benjamin Hardy's articles for a long time, and they are always very useful and have practical suggestions to follow.
The book doesn't disappoint you and is brilliantly written.
Fresh perspective about Personality tests and examples of how personalities is something that can be changed, for the better. So we aren't stuck with fear of our past or genes and history repeating itself.
Useful if you use it well.
- Ellie SandReviewed in Mexico on July 29, 2020
5.0 out of 5 stars How to become your ideal self
Muy buen libro, explica el por qué y el cómo de la personalidad, con estrategias concretas para modificarla de acuerdo a tus metas o tu 'yo ideal'. Benjamin Hardy tiene bastante claros los principios, juntando lo que ha aprendido sobre la fuerza de voluntad con la personalidad, es el mejor libro que pude haber elegido.
-
This is a great book, it explains the why's and the how's of personality, with concrete strategies to change it according to your goals or your 'ideal self.' Benjamin Hardy has these principles pretty clear, combining what he had learned about willpower and personality, it is the best book I could've picked.
-
Carina CardosoReviewed in Brazil on June 19, 2020
5.0 out of 5 stars Liberdade para ser quem você quiser
Tive a felicidade de ter acesso ao livro antes mesmo de seu lançamento. Foi uma experiência tão transformadora que decidi comprá-lo mesmo assim!
Usei como uma espécie de terapia: todos os dias eu lia uma parte do livro, meditava sobre os questionamentos que são propostos e escrevia em meu Journal o resultado. Hoje, quando olho para trás, vejo quanto progresso fui capaz de fazer: desapeguei da casa de minha mãe, dei início a um novo trabalho e passei a me dedicar a um projeto de ativismo que estava há anos na gaveta.
Você pode ser quem você quiser, mas este livro serve como um mapa do seu caminho. Se você realmente deseja alcançar resultados, então precisa saber como chegar onde quer.
Além disso, o estilo de escrita do Benjamin, a despeito desse PhD logo após seu nome, é fácil e muito gostoso de absorver.
Recomendo muito!
Carina CardosoLiberdade para ser quem você quiser
Reviewed in Brazil on June 19, 2020
Usei como uma espécie de terapia: todos os dias eu lia uma parte do livro, meditava sobre os questionamentos que são propostos e escrevia em meu Journal o resultado. Hoje, quando olho para trás, vejo quanto progresso fui capaz de fazer: desapeguei da casa de minha mãe, dei início a um novo trabalho e passei a me dedicar a um projeto de ativismo que estava há anos na gaveta.
Você pode ser quem você quiser, mas este livro serve como um mapa do seu caminho. Se você realmente deseja alcançar resultados, então precisa saber como chegar onde quer.
Além disso, o estilo de escrita do Benjamin, a despeito desse PhD logo após seu nome, é fácil e muito gostoso de absorver.
Recomendo muito!
Images in this review