How to Be More Humble and Selfless Every Day

In a world full of people who brag, boast and try to put  themselves above everyone else, we'd much rather practice humility.

Being humble is about not thinking you're better or more important than other people. It's exhibiting a self-assured confidence, without arrogance, embracing your strengths while acknowledging your weaknesses and knowing there's always more to learn. With humility, you can recognize that wisdom can come from anywhere, and in building the empathy and selflessness that comes with it, you can also improve your outlook and happiness in the long run. Curious about how to be humble? We have some tips on where to start.

Work on Your Self-Esteem

Some people might confuse humility with low self-esteem when that couldn't be farther from the truth. In fact, many people who lack confidence in themselves hide behind a sense of arrogance, focusing only on their strengths while ignoring or hiding their faults. Instead, when you can believe in yourself without bragging or belittling others, you'll find that it you'll feel even more powerful and capable. Rather than comparing yourself to others, take time to recognize your own accomplishments and talents. Measure your progress against yourself, rather than whether it's better or worse than what other people have done. Basically, when you feel good about yourself and stay focused on those achievements, it's easy to be humble.

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Celebrate Other People's Accomplishments

Of course, mainly concerning yourself with your own progress doesn't mean you ignore other people's successes. It's not always about you, and you can't win every time, so instead of letting yourself wallow in jealousy over someone else's triumphs, try celebrating with them instead. Share some of that joy with them, congratulate them and even try asking them for some tips in the name of self-improvement. Being a good sport makes you more open and empathetic. It even lets you turn what might have been a negative experience into a positive one. That's an important life hack to have in your arsenal.

 

Be Open to Criticism (and Improvement)

Receiving criticism, even when it's constructive, can be difficult, but it gets easier with practice and the right attitude. First and foremost, try to let go of ego. When people point out mistakes, own up to them and express gratitude for the correction before implementing it. Rather than taking criticism personally, do what you can to take a step back and try to understand if the feedback bothers you because they're correct or because they're incorrect. Some appraisals will be worth disregarding entirely, but other times, they may have a point that's worth remedying. Don't be afraid to ask for help or advice when you need it, and thank people for their honest input. Also remember that being imperfect and having limitations isn't a negative thing. It means there's always room for growth, which means bigger and better opportunities in the future. This willingness to learn and adapt is a keystone of humility.

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Be Proud, But Not Arrogant

The word "pride" can have negative connotations, but we happen to think there's nothing wrong with being proud of who you are, your abilities and your accomplishments. What you don't want is for that pride to veer off into arrogance and putting other people down because you feel superior to them. It helps to reflect on the steps it took to get to wear you are today. Take pride in that effort and all you've done, while knowing other people are at different places in their journey, and that you probably still have much more to do before you reach all of your goals. Don't think that just because you've had some success means you've reached perfection and are done working on yourself. The job is never truly done, so keep at it, and do what you can to support others on their paths as well.

 

Learn Everything You Can From Others

Being humble also means constantly learning. In believing that everyone has something to offer, you learn that all opinions have some kind of value. Try talking to unexpected people for surprising insights from all walks of life, and be present. Pay close attention and listen more than you speak. Also, when you do talk, be sure to not just talk about yourself. Instead, ask insightful questions that will get others to think and open up. Kindness, patience and being an active listener go hand in hand with being humble.

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Looking for more ways to be meet people and work on yourself? Click HERE for our tips on improving your friendliness.