In our society, we often place a lot of value on being successful and having lots of money. While these are certainly admirable goals, they can also lead to a sense of arrogance and entitlement if we’re not careful. It’s important to remember that no matter how successful or wealthy we become, we should always stay humble. Here are some benefits of being humble that can help you stay grounded in your success, and practice this vital part of positive psychology.
Humility Is the Quality of Being Humble, Modest, and Respectful
Humility is the quality of being modest, humble, and respectful. It’s not about thinking negatively about oneself. Being humble doesn’t mean that you lack self-confidence or self-esteem. Rather, it’s a character trait that shows you have a healthy dose of humility.
Humility is an important character trait because it can help you build closer relationships with others and make you more approachable.
Humility has been shown to be one of the most desired traits by employers in job applicants because they recognize that humility leads to better teamwork and collaboration on projects and tasks at work.
The Definition of Humility Is Having a Modest Not a Lesser View of One’s Importance
Humility is the quality of seeing one’s own importance modestly. This in no way means thinking of yourself as a lesser being.
Pride and humility are two sides of the same coin. Pride makes you feel important and even superior to others. Humility, on the other hand, is sometimes misconstrued as making you seem small and even unworthy. Being humble, however, doesn’t mean that you’re weak or passive – it means that your ego doesn’t prevent you from appreciating what’s right for you and for others.
Humble people usually have a higher level of self-control and wisdom and can be more honest with themselves.
They’re also more interested in learning when they make mistakes because they’re less concerned with always appearing smart or threatening others with their view or approach to things.
Achieving True Humility Doesn’t Mean You Stop Caring About Things; It Just Means That You Let Go of Your Ego in Pursuit of Growth
Humility is associated with wisdom and higher self-control, and wise, humble people are more willing to learn from others.
Humility also leads you to be less anxious to threaten others with your point of view. It means you can listen to what someone else has to say without feeling the need to dominate the conversation.
At its core, humility is about putting growth above ego, which is why it’s such a good thing for entrepreneurs.
Humble People Don’t Feel the Need to Put Others Down in Order to Make Themselves Feel Better
To be humble means to behave in such a way that you don’t think you’re better than others. Humble people don’t feel the need to belittle others in order to feel better about themselves.
They’re able to admit they were wrong or made a mistake and simply apologize. From time to time, they may even laugh at themselves. When a person is humble, they’re usually liked by others because they don’t act arrogant or unnecessarily try to divert attention from others.
One of the easiest ways to recognize a humble person is to pay attention to how they treat others.
Arrogant people often feel the need to belittle others in order to make themselves feel better. Humble people don’t waste time putting others down; instead, they try to lift themselves and others up.
In sports, head coaches are usually not the best players on the team, but they usually have more playing experience than assistant coaches. Head coaches need humility to let their assistants lead practices and develop game plans, even if the assistants aren’t as good as them at these tasks.
Good leaders are humble enough to share credit for successes with others who helped them achieve them and to take the blame for failures that resulted from their decisions.
While it’s difficult to see yourself as arrogant, it’s important to recognize any arrogance in your life so that you can work on being more humble and improving your relationships with others by treating them better.
The best way to do this is to listen carefully when someone criticizes your behavior or points out something you need to improve or change, even if the person saying these things doesn’t seem very intelligent or credible at first glance.
Being Humble Makes You a More Likable Person
Most people don’t like people who’re full of themselves. They’re often perceived as arrogant and self-centered, which makes those around them annoying. Those with these traits can have a hard time making friends and building relationships with others.
On the other hand, humble people tend to be more likable. They don’t exude arrogance but are confident but modest about their own abilities and accomplishments. As a result, they appear modest and down-to-earth not only to themselves but also to others. Because they lack the qualities that many people dislike in conceited people, it’s easier for them to build meaningful relationships with people from all walks of life.
Humility also makes you more approachable because you’re open to learning from others instead of being stuck in your own self-righteousness or superiority complex.
This makes it easier for you to make friends and learn from those around you because they feel comfortable interacting with you instead of feeling threatened by your presence or intimidated by your behavior.
Being Humble Means That We Don’t Need to Prove Anything Because We Are Enough With Who We Are
Although it sounds counterintuitive, research has shown that humble people are more confident. They feel less like they’ve to prove themselves in order to be recognized by others. Humility also makes you more likable and successful at work.
Why is that?
In a nutshell, humility means you don’t have to prove yourself because you already know who you’re (and accept yourself). You don’t have to point out your accomplishments or belittle others because the person next to you doesn’t take away from who you’re as a person.
You can be confident with what you’ve to offer without feeling threatened by others.
Humble People Tend to Have Higher Self-Control, Wisdom, and Sobriety
Self-control is the ability to keep your feelings and behavior under control, even when you want to do or say something you shouldn’t. It’s the ability to make yourself do what you should do even when you don’t feel like doing it. In other words, self-control is the ability to control your feelings and behavior.
For example, a humble person doesn’t allow his own inner desires for pleasure or success to guide his actions. He doesn’t let his feelings dictate his actions, but is guided by reason and logic in his decisions and behavior.
A humble person also knows that his own judgment can be flawed; this means that he can consider the opinions of others and take hard facts into account before making a decision or taking action, even if he disagrees with their ideas!
Humble People Are More Interested in Learning and Are Less Concerned With Threatening Others With Their Different Perspectives
You listen more than you speak. Humble people are also less concerned with appearing smart and more interested in hearing what other people have to say. This allows them to absorb a greater amount of knowledge because they aren’t caught up in their own ego trying to prove themselves right.
You have higher emotional intelligence. Since humble people are less egotistical, it’s only logical that they show more empathy for the feelings and viewpoints of others.
With this kind of awareness, it’s easier for these people to understand how their actions affect those around them, which is an essential part of emotional intelligence (El).
You want to be part of the solution instead of proving yourself right. When you feel someone disagrees with you or criticizes your point of view, it can be tempting to engage in a debate about why your view is better.
This often leads to nothing productive and comes across as defensive and hostile, alienating others in the long run. Instead, if someone disagrees with you or has a different view, you should ask questions to better understand the other person’s point of view and consider whether their alternative view might be of use.
If you proceed in this way, disagreements can foster growth and collaboration within the team, rather than separation or resentment.
When You’re Humble, You’re Able to Become More Honest and Open About Yourself-Your Weaknesses as Well as Your Strengths
One of the keys to being authentic and genuine is to overcome your fears and show up as you’re. This can only happen if you’re able to take an honest, objective look at yourself.
When you’re humble, you can be more honest and open with yourself -with your weaknesses, but also with your strengths.
You know what you don’t know: humble people are more likely to be honest about their strengths and weaknesses, rather than trying to hide their weaknesses by pretending they don’t exist.
For example, a modest person wouldn’t say, “I’m very good at writing,” but rather, “I’m pretty good at writing, but there’s always room for improvement.” A lack of humility can lead someone to say, “I’m great at writing,” while ignoring that he or she needs to improve in that area. You can’t be honest about your weaknesses if you’re not also honest about your strengths.
You’re more open. Another reason humble people are more honest is that they’re not afraid of feedback or of hearing where they can improve. They see feedback as a gift – an opportunity to improve. They’re not afraid to hear what they did wrong, because that gives them the opportunity to try something different next time (and hopefully get better results).
Humility Is a Way of Behaving That Allows Us to Accept Ourselves, Our Imperfections, and Our Strengths, Without the Need to Boast or Hide Them or Pretend They Don’t Exist
Humility doesn’t mean being insecure or not believing in yourself and your abilities. That would be denying your strengths and talents. Nor is it about forgetting what you’re capable of and what you’ve accomplished so far.
It’s about remembering that we all have flaws and limitations, that we can get things wrong at times, but at the same time we’ve good points that we can be proud of and that help us overcome life’s challenges.
Being humble means treating ourselves kindly no matter what happens to us. Humility helps us to show compassion to others, to accept their weaknesses, and support their achievements, just like our own.
Being Humble Helps Lower Stress Levels and Makes You Better at Relationships and Work
One of the most important benefits of being humble is that it helps you build better relationships with others.
When you’re talking with a colleague, it’s important that you don’t overrule him or her and give them time to express their ideas. Listening to your colleagues and giving them a chance to speak up will help you build better relationships at work. Additionally, if a colleague is struggling with a project, it can be helpful if you proactively offer to help without taking credit for his or her work.
These simple acts of kindness build goodwill among your colleagues and improve the overall culture in your workplace.
Humility not only helps you build better relationships in the workplace but also in your personal life. When talking with friends or family members outside of work, it can be beneficial to be open and listen attentively during conversations with your loved ones.
If you take the time to really listen to other people, you may learn something new about someone that will contribute to a deeper and better relationship.
Humble People Are More Likely to Be Successful Because They’re Not Focused on Themselves
You don’t have to be the best. It’s easy to fall into the trap of believing that you can only be successful if you’re the best. While that may be true in some situations, it’s not always necessary.
The goal is to be good enough so you can focus your energy on more important things. When it comes down to it, few people notice if you don’t excel at everything.
You don’t have to be the smartest. This is related to being the best – if you’re not the “smartest” person in a room, it doesn’t mean you can’t contribute anything meaningful or valuable. Just because someone else has more knowledge than you doesn’t mean he or she’s more important or that their opinion should be more important than yours.
The most successful people are humble because they focus on doing their jobs well and helping others around them do their jobs as well as possible – not because they’re constantly trying to prove themselves as “the smartest” or “the best.”
Humble People Are More Likely to Be Happy and Content With What They Have
If you live a modest life, you’re less likely to covet your neighbor’s new car or fancy house. This can help you be happier and more content in life overall.
People who’re humble tend to adopt an attitude of gratitude and look forward more to what they’ve than what they don’t. Research has even shown that mental health and well-being improve when you focus on counting your blessings.
When you stop comparing yourself to others and instead focus on being grateful for what you already have and realize how far you’ve come to achieve it, your self-esteem and self-worth are boosted.
Humble People Are More Likely to Be Respected by Others
Humble people are more likely to be respected by others. They don’t feel the need to prove themselves and constantly seek attention or be better than others.
They know they’ve faults, but they don’t let those faults define them. People who’re humble are quick to admit mistakes and gently help others get back on track when they too make mistakes. People who’re humble apologize when necessary and mean it.
People who’re not humble, on the other hand, will never admit that they were wrong, even if there’s incontrovertible evidence of their mistake. They can also be seen bragging about their (real or perceived) successes at every opportunity.
Humble People Don’t Need External Validation to Feel Good About Themselves
We’re all pretty awesome the way we’re, but that doesn’t mean we don’t need a little help along the way. We can have self-esteem if we’re willing to look inward and shape our lives to fit us rather than conform to what others think.
Self-esteem is more than self-confidence; it’s self-esteem based on staying true to ourselves.
That means you stop worrying about unimportant things and focus on what really matters: your inner strength and self-worth. You’ll feel good about yourself because you’ll have enough self-esteem to recognize your own talents and abilities and not try too hard to be someone else or do something that others can do better than you.
Humble People Are More Likely to Have Strong Relationships Because They’re Not Always Looking for Attention
Humility is a strength to be admired. Just as you cannot be truly happy if you’re always looking for more, you cannot have strong relationships with other people if you’re always seeking their attention.
Humble people are content with the little things that make them happy, not with being in the limelight.
Humble people are also more likely to be good leaders because they put the needs of others before their own. They listen well, consider others’ perspectives, and don’t feel they’ve to prove themselves worthy of others’ respect.
As a result, humble people come across as likable and trustworthy, which makes it easier for them to get along with others and make friends.
They’re More Likely to Be Good Leaders Because They Put the Needs of Others Before Their Own
As a leader, you allow yourself to let others speak if their ideas are really good and they know how to articulate them. In this way, you give your team members more confidence and encourage them to participate further.
When people feel that their voice is truly heard, they’ll feel more comfortable at work and want to contribute more. In addition, humble leaders don’t claim their employees’ successes as their own. Instead, they recognize the efforts of all employees who’ve contributed in some way.
This kind of recognition makes all members of your team feel like they have an equal stake in your mission, even if they work at it in different ways.
One historical figure often cited as an example of humble leadership is Martin Luther King Jr. He was known for his incredible power as an orator and his ability to unite diverse groups against social injustice.
During the Montgomery Bus Boycott in 1955, he led hundreds of African Americans away from public transportation until the buses were desegregated. He didn’t become angry at his mistreatment or lash out at those who oppressed him; instead, he peacefully organized protests and gave speeches calling for nonviolent resistance across the country.
His quiet humility combined with his leadership qualities made him one of the strongest voices for justice during one of our country’s darkest moments.
Another excellent example of a humble leader is Mother Teresa, who dedicated her life to helping the poorest of the poor.
They Don’t Feel the Need to Prove Themselves to Others, Which Makes Them More Likable and Trustworthy
Because humble people don’t have an inflated ego to protect, they’ve no need to prove themselves. They’re self-confident without feeling the need to belittle others so they can feel good about themselves.
This means that humble people aren’t afraid of other people’s successes. They’re even happy when their colleagues and friends are successful because that lifts everyone up.
Because humble people are sure of who they’re and what they stand for, others trust them more easily. They aren’t insecure, jealous, or petty so others are more inclined and comfortable trusting them with important tasks and decisions.
When you trust someone, you make yourself vulnerable and want to be sure that your trust is well placed. For this reason, other people trust humble people because they know their humility will allow them to make decisions that not only promote their own success, but also the success of those around them.
They’re Less Likely to Get Caught Up in Drama or Gossip
Humble people don’t feel the need to constantly prove themselves, talk about themselves, or let everyone know how great they’re. They’re sure of who they’re and what they’ve done. This attitude leaves less room for gossip and drama, two things that humble people don’t get caught up in.
Some of the most interesting people I know are humble people who don’t brag or gossip because they’re comfortable with who they’re. They aren’t insecure or looking for ways to boost their image, which is why you rarely see them at the center of drama or gossip.
They’re More Likely to Be Good Listeners and Learn From Others
It’s difficult to listen to and learn from others when you’re convinced that you already know all the answers. Humility is a quality that makes it easier for a person to listen and learn.
Humble people are less likely to think they’re better than others and therefore are more willing to learn from them. Even if they aren’t humble themselves, humble people teach others because they can listen.
Listening is especially important in the workplace, where you need to communicate with bosses, colleagues, and customers to succeed professionally.
Listening skills are also important in school, where you need to understand lectures and discussions in order to successfully complete assignments and tests.
They’re Less Likely to Get Into Conflicts With Others
Modesty is a quality that most people associate with calmness, modesty, and shyness. But that’s not what psychologists mean when they talk about modesty as a personality trait. People who’re modest tend to be more so:
- They’re kind and open to new ideas
- They’re more positive and compassionate toward others
- They’re grateful for life’s blessings
- They’re willing to forgive others
People who’re humble are less inclined to conflict with others. They’re more likely to listen carefully and consider others’ points of view in an argument rather than dismiss them or feel threatened by their ideas. This is because they’re less controlling or manipulative in their communication with others than their less modest peers.
Humble People Are More Likely to Learn From Their Mistakes and Grow as Individuals
Humility is often seen as a sign of weakness or meekness. But in reality, humility just means that you realize that you aren’t the center of the universe and that there’s always room for growth. In other words, you’re willing to learn new things and even ask for help.
When you think about it this way, humility can actually be an advantage! Because humble people don’t always have to be right or the center of attention, they’re more likely to learn from their mistakes and grow as individuals.
This makes them better partners, friends, and family members in life overall.
Humble People Are Often Happier Than Those Who Are Arrogant and Self-Centered
Humble people are more likely to be happy than arrogant, self-centered people. This is because modest people have a higher level of self-esteem and self-confidence, but they don’t let their success go to their heads. They stay grounded no matter how rich or famous they become.
When you’re humble, you focus on other people’s needs as much as your own. You’re also generally more optimistic and less worried about yourself, which makes you happier overall.
People who’re arrogant and self-centered are often prone to stress and depression because they put too much emphasis on themselves. They also tend to be vain and superficial.
Here Are Some Practical Ways to Build Humility Into Your Life
You can be more humble and a better person by taking the following steps:
- Be truthful. If you’re humble, you don’t need to exaggerate or lie. In fact, you’ve such integrity that it’s impossible for you to lie. You know who you’re and what your experiences are, and that doesn’t change depending on who’s around you or where you go.
- Don’t brag about yourself or boast. This doesn’t mean you can’t answer truthfully when someone asks you about your athletic or academic successes; it just means you don’t feel like your current success is the most important thing about you. When a conversation turns to your successes, always turn to the successes of others as well.
- Don’t be arrogant or rude when dealing with others. Being humble doesn’t mean you think less of yourself, it means you think less of yourself! It means putting other people first and paying attention to them instead of focusing only on your feelings and needs.