NLP: Transforming Negative Traits into Positive Ones

Hidden Tendencies and Human Inclinations

Surprisingly, negative traits in a person often contain positive tendencies at their core. If we develop these positive tendencies, it can lead to a more harmonious and happy life. At our core, people are good, and any negative character traits are not our true nature. In other words, our original positive inclinations can become distorted under the influence of various circumstances in the material world, eventually transforming into negative qualities. Fortunately, this transformation is reversible.

Many negative tendencies (such as drinking, smoking, gossiping, bragging, etc.) are actually substitutes for good qualities that a person once had. In this article, we’ll look at some negative character traits along with the positive tendencies hidden within them. This will help us analyze ourselves (and others), identify our good inclinations, and develop them to improve our lives.

Any negative tendency listed below is simply a misuse of the soul’s energy, which naturally leads to negative consequences. However, you don’t need to fight or suppress bad qualities—just redirect your efforts. You can’t simply stop the flow of energy, but you can channel it in a new direction. It’s like a river: you can’t stop it with a dam forever, but you can redirect its course. People often try to suppress their negative traits, and while this may work temporarily, eventually the pressure builds up and causes even more damage. The only wise solution is to transform the energy and change its direction. This article will help you understand how to do that.

Interpretation of Traits and Hidden Tendencies

• Alcoholism: This is a hidden tendency toward wisdom, a desire to dive deep into problems to solve them. In a drunken state, people crave communication, believing it will dissolve their problems. However, alcoholism is just a crude substitute for wisdom and philosophy. By redirecting this energy, a person can become a philosopher or a wise individual.
• Smoking: Indicates a tendency toward honesty. Smokers are often honest with themselves and feel discomfort when acting wrongly, which leads to the urge to smoke to relieve tension. Smoking is a substitute for meditation. With some effort, a person can succeed in meditation and discover the mysteries of the universe.
• Selfishness: A distorted form of personalism. The selfish person focuses on their own interests and pleasures. By realizing that everyone is unique, they can build relationships that benefit all. Selfishness hides the tendency to be a teacher in the realm of personalism, but to become one, this trait must be transformed by interacting with selfless people.
• Anger: Points to a tendency for spiritual leadership. Anger arises when someone dislikes foolish behavior. If directed inward, anger can motivate the pursuit of wisdom. This trait is the opposite of the desire to save people from degradation and self-destruction.
• Ingratitude: A distorted form of restraint and humility. When someone doesn’t feel worthy of care, they avoid reciprocating. This can be transformed into true humility through association with personalists, leading to real happiness.
• Envy: Indicates a hidden tendency to be a follower—an ideal student who wants to possess the same qualities as their teacher. By choosing the right object of envy and changing their focus, a person can progress and turn this trait into a positive force.
• Greed: A distorted drive for spiritual enrichment. Redirecting this energy can make a person eager to learn wisdom and associate with wise people. The best kind of enrichment is accumulating the sayings of great sages, which leads to spiritual progress.
• Boasting: The tendency to inspire others to achieve the same. A braggart can become an ideal preacher or motivator if they choose a worthy field, especially in the spiritual realm.
• Theft: A hidden desire to help others (spiritual healing). Such a person subconsciously knows that material things tie people to a world of suffering. By changing their focus, a thief can help others let go of attachments and inspire a healthy, simple lifestyle.
• Cunning (as a negative trait): A hidden tendency to care for others. Cunning is the opposite of parental love and proper upbringing. Used sincerely, it can be a positive quality, but if used for personal gain, it leads to degradation.
• Criticism: A hidden tendency for attentiveness. Critics notice details others miss. If they focus on positive aspects, they can become great discoverers and problem-solvers.
• Laziness: A tendency for endurance. A lazy person tolerates discomfort to avoid unnecessary actions. Transformed positively, this trait helps a person persist in their path despite hardships.
• Wastefulness: A distorted form of generosity. To transform this, one must learn what, to whom, and when to give so it benefits everyone. Proper generosity brings great benefit to all.
• Fastidiousness: Indicates a tendency toward purity, both external and internal. Purity is essential for a happy (spiritual) life. By associating with spiritual people, fastidiousness transforms into discernment, cleansing life of the unnecessary.
• Rudeness: Points to a tendency to protect, currently distorted as self-defense of selfish interests. If directed toward worthy objects, this trait becomes positive and useful.
• Hypocrisy: At its core is the forgotten ability to distinguish truth from illusion, soul from body, spiritual from material. Those who have lived a double life can become understanding and tolerant, helping others solve psychological problems. By transforming hypocrisy into thoughtfulness and harmony, they can become good psychologists and consultants.
• Betrayal and Infidelity: These negative traits point to the ability to easily give up the worse for the better, a key principle of personal growth. Wise people give up the negative for the positive, but should strive not to harm relationships in the process.
• Thirst for Fame: A hidden desire to be effective. Famous people influence many, for better or worse. If they possess good qualities, they can greatly improve society.

How to Transform Your Qualities

The secret to transformation is simple: spend more time with people who have the qualities you lack. In other words, surround yourself with those who strongly display positive tendencies. As the saying goes, “You become like those you associate with.” Positive company helps transform your own negative traits into their original positive forms. Conversely, avoid people with negative qualities, as their influence can have the opposite effect.

If you don’t have such people around, or don’t want to seek them out, you can listen to their lectures, watch their videos, read their books, or attend their seminars. While live interaction is best, these alternatives also work. Transformation happens when we come into contact with the qualities of others, whether we realize it or not. By spending more time in good company, you’ll notice your own inner transformation, the revival of positive tendencies, and a change in your character. You’ll also begin to understand your higher purpose and move toward it.