Who Are You, Really?

The Surprising Puzzle of Personality

By: Brian Little

Narrated by: Brian Little

Length: 2 hrs and 12 mins

Publisher's summary

This fun, smart listen for anyone eager to better understand (and improve) themselves argues that personality is driven not by nature nor nurture - but instead by the projects we pursue, which ultimately shape the people we become.

Traditionally, scientists have emphasized what they call the first and second natures of personality - genes and culture, respectively. But today the field of personality science has moved well beyond the nature versus nurture debate. In Who Are You, Really?, Dr. Brian Little presents a distinctive view of how personality shapes our lives - and why this matters. Little makes the case for a third nature to the human condition - the pursuit of personal projects, idealistic dreams, and creative ventures that shape both people's lives and their personalities. Little uncovers what personality science has been discovering about the role of personal projects, revealing how this new concept can help people better understand themselves and shape their lives.

In this important work, Little argues that it is essential to devote energy and resources to creative endeavors in a highly focused fashion, even if it takes away from other components of our well-being. This does not mean that we cannot shift from one core project to another in the days of our lives. In fact it is precisely that ability to flexibly craft projects that is the greatest source of sustainability. Like learning to walk, forcing ourselves out of balance as we step is the only way in which we can move forward. And it is the only way that human flourishing can be enhanced.

The well-lived life is based on the sustainable pursuit of core projects in our lives. Ultimately, Who Are You, Really? provides a deeply personal itinerary for exploring our personalities, our lives, and the human condition.

Download the accompanying reference guide.

©2017 Brian Little (P)2017 Simon & Schuster Audio / TED

Critic reviews

"Author and narrator Brian R. Little sheds light on how our personal goals and projects are not simply a reflection of ourselves - they can actually shape who we become.... His occasional chuckles as he describes various personalities add a lightness and humility that allow us to take an honest look at ourselves and our natural tendencies. Little's overall gravitas lends credibility to his clear explanations, while his encouraging tone and advice illuminate how the pursuit of core projects helps us flourish." (AudioFile)

bloviated and pretentious. author talks too much

The author is obviously very intelligent and has a massive vocabulary that he uses quite frequently through the narration of this book. It's very hard to understand what point he is trying to make at any given time since he bounces around too many different variables in his explanations. He hasn't found a way to boil down his theories into easily digestible understandings. Which is unfortunate, as I was really looking forward to understanding and applying the premise of what this book is about: Using the work of personal projects to drive the better parts of ourselves.

Validating

I found out about Brian Little from Mel Robbins . She refers to BL ‘s Ted Talk in the context of her 5 Second Rule. The message in his book validates what Mel Robbins is forwarding which is super valuable to me as a I am using her book to force myself to do that which I’ve been putting off for a very long time. I’m passionate about these things I’ve put off and BL’s book underscores the third determining factor in who we . It is the projects in ones life , being just as important as nature and nurture , from which we can flourish in our lives .
Thank you Brian Little!

I liked it

A short and concise book. Perhaps a bit too short. But well written and easy to listen to.

Wonderfully Clear and Concise Perspective

This book is short but is chock full of more information that books five times as long. It is a totally different way of looking at individuality and authenticity that is immediately applicable and thought provoking. Highly recommended.

Another thought-provoking book from Little.

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

I would definitely recommend this book to a friend - it provides a great deal of insight into how the nature v. nurture debate has progressed. Little adds another dimension of how our 'personal projects' also have the capacity to shape our personalities.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Who Are You, Really??

I really enjoyed what Little had to say about 'authenticity' and how it is possible to have multiple 'authentic selves'.

What does Brian Little bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

Little speaks with a sense of humour, clarity and warmth.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

You could definitely listen to this book in one sitting - I did!

Any additional comments?

Little's other book on audible (Me, myself and us) is equally, if not even more enjoyable.

Somewhat funny!

This is a short book which is able to open your mind, while not being boring.

good book

didn't tell me too much about things I hadn't considered, but definitely a few tidbits of good info, and could have been very profound for someone looking to define themselves, or even understand what "identity" even means.

Building block

Very nicely written book that provides yet another angle of looking and understanding of oneself.