Machiavellianism is a personality trait characterized by manipulativeness, deceitfulness, high levels of self-interest, and a tendency to see other people as means to an end. People who display especially elevated levels of Machiavellianism—referred to by some psychologists as “high-Machs”—lack empathy and take a cynical, unemotional view of the world; their primary interests center on power and s
Building Your Machiavellianism Self-Help Foundation
Effective self-help for machiavellianism starts with understanding your patterns and building consistent habits:
- Track your triggers — Keep a journal to identify what worsens or improves machiavellianism
- Set small goals — Break overwhelming challenges into manageable daily actions
- Build a routine — Consistent sleep, meals, and activity times stabilize your nervous system
- Limit harmful coping — Identify and gradually replace unhelpful patterns
Daily Practices for Machiavellianism
These evidence-based daily practices directly address machiavellianism:
- Morning grounding: 5 minutes of slow breathing or mindfulness upon waking
- Movement: Even 20 minutes of walking significantly impacts machiavellianism
- Social connection: Brief positive interactions counteract isolation
- Evening wind-down: Structured end-of-day routine improves sleep and recovery
When Self-Help Isn't Enough
Self-help strategies are valuable, but professional support is important when machiavellianism significantly interferes with daily life, relationships, or safety.