The personality is dissolved at the end of each incarnation, but the individuality retains a template based on your previous personalities and that's what the next personality builds up around. If you're a bland little person in this life, you're likely to be fairly bland in your next one, too, but if you make an effort to become a little less bland -- or if circumstances force you into it -- your next life may be more interesting. You can always un-bland yourself!
Re: Reincarnation of historical figures