“Your beliefs don’t make you a better person. Your behavior does.” – Tucker Max
Back in the university days, I was nothing like what I am today. I used to be self-centered, rude, emotionally stingy, judgmental, haughty, and immensely critical of others. A lot of that stemmed from insecurity. As a result, I didn’t like a lot of things about myself, and this reflected in my behavior towards other people.
However, I realized this soon enough and decided to work towards becoming a better person. Today, I am far more content about who I am. Of course, in no way am I perfect because becoming a better person is a goal you continually need to work towards. You can never really say there is a real endpoint to reach.
In this post, I’ll be sharing some simple rules I have for my own life that have helped me become a better person. If you follow one rule a day, I hope they will help you go a long way toward becoming a better and more likable person.
1. Know that You Could be Wrong
Do you listen to others when you interact with them? Do you show your sincere interest in others when you ask questions?
If your answer is “no,” then the next time you are about to tell or advise someone about something – remember, you could be wrong.
“This is the very perfection of a man; to find out his own imperfection.” – Saint Augustine
Publicly accepting that you could be wrong is an excellent way to diminish tension among work teams. Why? Because it swiftly reduces the perceived stakes of the situation. When you put your neck on the line, you’ll see more people open up too.
2. Always Give Your Best
“Start where you are. Use what you have. Do what you can.” – Arthur Ashe
No matter where you are or what you have, always give your best. You are the only one who is responsible for what’s within your control. There’s no excuse for not doing something about what’s within your control.
It’s up to you to define this domain. If you can practice it each day, soon you see that more and more things will be within your control.
However, it requires patience, consistency, and everyday action. You have to put in the work it takes to succeed.
3. Stop Taking Things Personally
“When we take something personally, we make the assumption that they know what is in our world, and we try to impose our world on their world.” – Don Miguel Ruiz
Remember, people are in their own worlds, so never ever take anything personally. Understand that each of us exists in our own independent and separate reality. Everyone has different experiences and understandings which eventually construct their perspective of the world.
So when someone insults you, it can mean one of two things. Either they are mean, or they have a habit of criticizing themselves unswervingly. Likewise, if someone judges you, it doesn’t mean you are flawed. It might be because the individual has a habit of repeatedly judging himself or herself.
In short, when you realize people are engaging with you from their own realities or worlds – it’ll become easier for you to be confident and forgive others. In contrast, the more you react to detractors, the less you’ll be an authentic version of yourself.
4. Stop Living Someone Else’s Life
“Letting go doesn’t mean giving up, but rather accepting that there are things that cannot be.” – Anonymous
You only live once, so stop living someone else’s life. Sure, life’s not always what many of us expect it to be at every moment. But when you realize you have very limited time on this planet, you’ll strive to use it well.
Stay true to yourself, and never sacrifice yourself for anyone to fit in. Love people not for what they do, but rather for who they are.
“Be the master of your fate – be the captain of your soul.” – William Ernest Henley
What’s your mantra in life towards being a better person? Let us know in the comments below.