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Nature vs. Nurture

Your overall personality is made up of both innate and adaptive traits.

Innate traits are with you from birth and comprise what is referred to as your dominant nature.

Adaptive traits are learned behaviors which come from adapting to life experiences.

Most of us have experienced influences from our parents, peers, career, culture, and circumstances (just to name a few) that have shaped our personality and behaviors. It can be difficult to discern between our dominant nature and our learned behaviors.

Your overall personality is made up of both innate and adaptive traits.

Innate traits are with you from birth and comprise what is referred to as your dominant nature.

Adaptive traits are learned behaviors which come from adapting to life experiences.

We have all had influences from our parents, peers, career, culture, and circumstances (just to name a few) that have shaped our personality and behaviors. It can be difficult to discern between our dominant nature and our learned behaviors.

Your overall personality is made up of both innate and adaptive traits.

Innate traits are with you from birth and comprise what is referred to as your dominant nature.

Adaptive traits are learned behaviors which come from adapting to life experiences.

How can we tell the difference between something that is learned and something that is part of our dominant nature or inborn personality?

TRY THIS!

Let’s get an idea of what it feels
like to operate within our
dominant nature.

You will need a piece of paper
and a pen.

Okay, ready?
Let’s go!

1. Write down your first and last name, a zip code, and then sign it with your signature.

2. Switch the pen to your other hand.

That’s right. If you used your right hand to write with, switch to your left hand. If you originally used your left, switch to your right.

Now, write your first and last name, zip code, and signature again with this hand.

TRY THIS!

Let’s get an idea of what it feels like to operate within our dominant nature.

You will need a piece of paper and a pen.

Okay, ready? Let’s go!

1. Write down your first and last name, a zip code, and then sign it with your signature.

2. Switch the pen to your other hand!

That’s right. If you used your right hand to write with, switch to your left hand. If you originally used your left, switch to your right.

Now, write your first and last name, zip code, and signature again with this hand.

What was it like to write with your opposite hand?

Was it uncomfortable, difficult, awkward, challenging, or frustrating? Did it take longer? Did you have to concentrate more? Did you have to slow down? Did it feel like you weren’t totally in control?

What was it like to write with your opposite hand?

When we operate within our dominant nature, the task at hand feels almost effortless. We don’t have to stop and think about what we are doing, we do it quickly and easily.

When we operate outside of our dominant nature, it takes a bit more concentration and time to get it right. Our performance may not be as smooth. It can cause stress and tension.

One might even say that when we operate within our dominant nature, we feel stronger and when we operate outside our dominant nature, we feel weaker.

When we operate within our dominant nature, the task at hand feels almost effortless. We don’t have to stop and think about what we are doing, we do it quickly and easily.

When we operate outside of our dominant nature, it takes a bit more concentration and time to get it right. Our performance may not be as smooth. It can cause stress and tension.

One might even say that when we operate within our dominant nature, we feel stronger and when we operate outside our dominant nature, we feel weaker.

Course Navigation

Lesson 1: Getting to Know You!

Lesson 2: What Makes You Tick?

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