Me, But Better

By: Olga Khazan

Narrated by: Olga Khazan

Is it really possible to change your entire personality in a year? An award-winning journalist experiments with her own personality to find out—and reveals the science behind lasting change.

In recent years, Olga Khazan had been spiraling toward an existential crisis. Though she treasured her loving relationship and her dream job, her neurotic personality often left her snatching dissatisfaction from the jaws of happiness. While her overachieving had always been a professional asset, Olga lately felt like her brittle disposition could shatter under the weight of just one more thing—but could she really change her entire personality?

Research shows that you can alter your personality traits by behaving in ways that align with the kind of person you’d like to be—a process that can make you happier, healthier, and more successful. In Me, But Better, Olga embarks on an experiment to see whether it’s possible to go from dwelling in dread to “radiating joy.” For one year, Olga reluctantly clicked “yes” on a bucket list of new experiences—from meditation to improv to sailing—that forced her to at least act happy. With a skeptic’s eye, Olga brings you on her journey through the science of personality, presenting evidence-backed techniques to help you change your mind for the better. Sharply witty and deeply fascinating, Me, But Better offers a probing inquiry into what it means to live a fulfilling life, and how you can keep diving into change, no matter how uncomfortable it feels.

Honest and Self reflective self improvement memoir

I appreciated the smart and revealing memoir documenting the author's attempt to change some life long personality traits.

The more specific, the more relatable

It was really interesting to hear Olga share her journey through personality change in the context of the science as well as her own life. It was good but I felt like I was either missing more experts or deeper personal reflection. I do think there’s definitely something worthwhile here. Maybe more time with Mary Roach or Mike Birbiglia would take this pretty good personality driven memoir somewhere very special.

Well, organized, enjoyed the personal anecdotes

Overall enjoyed the book. I have difficulty reading because of my age this was the first audiobook I ever listened to.

felt unfinished

This is a great book and wanted to give it 5 stars but it has a few not so good things: I really loved the subject and how she told the story, she is a very talented writer, but it felt unfinished, I felt like I was left hanging and wished there was more of a defined conclusion. also the narration was not the best, made me wish she had hired someone to do it, however it is good enough to listen until the end.

Great for introverts who want to be more social

I am so glad I saw Olga Khazan on Tamron Hall. Her book was exactly what I needed to become more social. I enjoyed reading about her research and experiences in changing her personality. The information she provides is practical and balanced with positive and negative experiences. This is an excellent read for introverts or anyone who wants to connect more positively with others and build their social network.