How to Become a Better Influence in a Few Easy Steps

Sometimes, we can get so focused about what we need to accomplish and what we're doing next that we forget about the influence we have on other people.

In fact, throughout life we wind up being an influence on all kinds of people, from family members and friends to co-workers, neighbors and even strangers. We don't know about you, but we'd much rather be a good influence on them than a negative or even neutral one, and that all begins with modeling the right behavior. If that sounds like something you'd like to invite into your life, we recommend doing so with the following steps.

Treats Others the Way You'd Want to Be Treated

It may sound obvious and easy to treat other people the way you'd like to be treated, but we're surprised how often people don't abide by this advice. Being kind and polite, regardless of the situation, can go a long way and make everyone involved just a tiny bit happier. Maybe you're in a bad mood, but a random act of kindness helps you feel a little bit less crummy. Maybe someone's been rude to you, but you decide to reply with kindness in return, and it helps them get out of their own funk. With a little luck, that energy you put out into the world will come back to you.

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Be Real

While you may be tempted to set a good example by appearing to be perfect, the reality is that nobody is without flaws—and everyone knows that. Instead, we recommend embracing the real you, and not being afraid to show people who you are. This can include accepting your mistakes, taking responsibility and not being afraid to say "I don't know." Be honest about the things you like, or don't like, and don't hide who you are. Just being an authentic human sets a great example.

 

Also read about: 10 Things You'll Relate to If You're Always Sleepy

 

Watch How You Talk About Other People

Know the saying, "If you don't have anything nice to say, don't say anything at all?" That definitely applies here. While everyone might have knee-jerk judgments about other people, it's how we process and express those judgments that really define us. When you talk about people behind their backs or express judgmental behavior, people come to see you as a gossip and trash-talker. They have to assume you do the same about them when they're not around. Instead, try to focus on discussing people you can talk about positively. After all, sometimes silence can be just as condemning as saying something nasty.

 

Keep an Open Mind

Going into any situation with your mind already made up is rarely conducive to better understanding. Instead, try to consider things from different perspectives and see the other person's point of view, even when you're in opposition. You may not see eye to eye, but a little empathy can go a long way in helping both parties feel like you're speaking the same language. Also remember that you never know what someone is going through at any time, and a little gentleness can go a long way.

 

Practice Gratitude

A gratitude practice can help you approach every day with a more positive outlook. All it takes is making some time to reflect on the good things in your life and remembering not to take things for granted. Also remember that just because you're grateful doesn't mean you can't wish more something more, or different than what you have. In fact, gratitude can put you in precisely the position to ask for and go after what you truly need out of life.

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Also read about: 5 Ways to Practice Gratitude on Optimist Day

 

Focus on Communication

Effective communicators always inspire us, but we sometimes forget that communication is a two-way street. Sure, putting complex thoughts and opinions into words is valuable, but so is knowing how to listen to people in order to both understand their concerns and the way they think. After all, communication is all about expressing something in a way a person will understand, and different kinds of communication work better with different people. If you know how to get on anyone's level, you'll always be able to convey what you need to say.

 

Exude Positivity

It's really remarkable how much a smile can turn a bad day around, whether you're smiling yourself or flashing a grin at someone else who needs it. Let yourself be cheerful and remember to look on the bright side of life whenever you can. Of course, this doesn't mean you're not allowed to have your bad days, or that you should ignore your negative feelings. Allow yourself to experience those fully, but remember that even when things are bad, you can hold on to hope for better things. Find that silver lining and a reason to smile, and you can make any day a better one.

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Looking for more advice? Click HERE to discover the little things you should never apologize for.