How important is Chiron, dwarf planets and Asteroids?

I've read quite a bit of conflicting opinion on this. Can the asteroids make a real difference in your personality?

I'm not a professional astrologer. That said, I do use asteroids and pay attention to Chiron and others that interest me personally. There are thousands of asteroids. I don't think I'd be able to read my chart if I put all of them in, so I pick and choose. I like to include a lot because I always have a nagging feeling that one of them may open a portal of understanding that I'll be forever grateful for.

First you need to mastery the planets, its aspects, placements, signs and houses. The asteroids are a valuable source of additional information but if you try to use them from the start, you will feel lost.

Every person has a focus on Astrology, some people like to check Money and Careers indicators, others the love life, health and etc. So you could pick around 5 asteroids on the subject that you are interested and focus on them.

Besides the Asteroids there are Arabic Lots and Fixed Stars that I found to be very helpful depending on the kind of analysis that you are trying to do.

Good luck.