10 Easy Ways To Be A Better Person

10 Easy Ways to be a Better Person:


1. Say please and thank you.
Simple, yet so often overlooked. When you want something, you say please. When someone does something nice for you, you say thank you. These phrases should be programmed in your mind, as automatic response mechanisms; you should never have to think to say them.
This may sound like a minor thing, but by letting people know you appreciate what they do for you, they are more likely to do it in the future.

2. Be courteous.
This can be applied in a number of different ways. Most generally it means to see things from another's perspective and if there is something you can do to make their situation easier, then do it. Even if it requires you to go a little bit out of your way. Kind deeds done in the name of personal sacrifice have a tendency to repay themselves many times over. It may not happen right away, but there is something to be said for maintaining positive karma.
Try to keep aware of what's going on around you, even when you are most preoccupied. No matter how busy you are, there is no excuse for not holding the door open for someone who has both hands full, or helping to pick up the stack of papers that was just dropped in front of you. You're right, it isn't your problem that they're clumsy, but it is your opportunity to do something nice for someone else. And if you want to be considered a decent person, it's an opportunity you shouldn't pass up.

3. Follow the Golden Rule.
Treat others the way you would like to be treated. The beautiful part of the Golden Rule is how straight forward it is. Think about how great things would be if everyone followed it. There would be no crime, no war, and no murder. Now we can't control the actions of everyone else, but we can control how we behave.

4. Work with others.
Cooperation and teamwork is applicable in all areas of life. It has been proven time and time again the the whole is most definitely greater than the sum of all its parts. Twenty people working together can achieve more than that of twenty individuals. However, all too often people assume that what's immediately best for them is ultimately best for them. Unfortunately that isn't always the case. Sometimes the best move is one step backward in order to take two steps forward. I urge you to obtain the help of others whenever possible and to offer yours as well. The potential of those who work in unison is limitless.

5. Smile
Never underestimate the power of a smile. The effect is two-fold. It tends to lift the spirits of both the smiler and the "smilee". For an entire day before you say a word to anyone, smile first. If you're walking past them, smile wide and say hello. A great majority will smile back and those that don't are either preoccupied or generally unfriendly. But that's okay. Smile anyway. Those that aren't preoccupied or unfriendly will feel uplifted, even if they don't realize it. More effort is required to be rude to someone than to be polite. So laziness is not an excuse. Simply find something to be happy about and smile.

6. Say I'm Sorry.
This is one of the first lessons we learn in life, yet some of us quickly forget it as we get older. The principle is very simple. If you wrong someone, or if you make a mistake, or if you hurt another person (intentionally or unintentionally), apologize for it. Say you're sorry and do your best to remedy the situation. Sometimes, even if you didn't do anything wrong the right thing to do is to apologize. By accepting the responsibility you speed up the correction process. Now that we know who's fault it is, we can move ahead with a plan to fix it. This takes some courage, especially if you're apologizing for something you aren't responsible for, but in the end, you'll come out the better person.
Ultimately, one fact prevails: it takes a brave and secure person to accept responsibility and express sorrow for their mistakes. But the truth is, the reward is far worth the risk. Those who apologize are respected and thought of as genuine, caring individuals, who despite their actions, do not always think only of themselves.

7. Be Honest.
Tell the truth, even when it isn't in your best interest to do so. Honesty is a reflection of one's self-dignity or self-respect. Don't risk either of those on a failure to be honest, especially at the expense of a lie regarding a trivial matter. Remember, most things that seem extremely important at the time aren't nearly as big a deal a few weeks or months later. Value your reputation and protect it.

8. Listen.
Although it is typically our first instinct to talk first, listening can actually be an advantage. Benefit of listening first is the amount that can be learned. If you spend most of the time talking then you won't learn anything, because it's assumed that you already know the things you're talking about. But if you can position yourself in a situation where you're able to listen to a knowledgeable person, the sky is the limit on what you can learn. The next time you find yourself in this position, take note of which situation offers you most. Sometimes having the self control to quiet down is your most advantageous move.

9. Be Complimentary.
There are really only two reasons why someone would refuse to compliment another. The first is lack of consideration. They simply don't think to tell you they like what you've done. This is probably the most common reason. The second reason is less frequent, though most disturbing. Jealousy. People are hesitant to compliment others when they feel a sense of insecurity about themselves. They feel as though bringing another's accomplishments to light will magnify their own failure to produce similar accomplishments. A sense of self-confidence and security in their own abilities will increase the likelihood that they will compliment others.
We develop an appreciation and for those who compliment us because they boost our confidence and make us feel good. And since there is no cost for compliments there is no excuse for not handing them out.

10. Laugh.
Make it a point to have a good laugh at least once a day, preferably in the morning. Laughing releases endorphins that make you feel good and relaxed. Creating this mood as early in your day as possible increases your mood and as a result your productivity. It's very easy to do, yet the benefits are extraordinary. Let's face it, laughing is fun. It shouldn't be very hard to find something to make you laugh, but if you're having trouble, look up some jokes on the internet or put on your favorite funny movie. However you create the mood, don't underestimate the value in laughter.

Conclusion
I hope that this list of ways to become a better person is of use to you. They are simple and even generic concepts and ideas.