Valuable skills for self-centered people
Thank someone, although it’s minute or insignificant to you. Portray gratitude as much as possible without being fake or overly unbelievable. Being polite and going that extra mile makes a difference. Look for excuses to give thanks. Even if you think you deserve more or the effort of others falls short, thank them anyway.
Gratitude
A thank you is grace and gratitude, not a one-up or manipulative move or tactic. It’s not an opening opportunity to use someone, show off, criticize, or judge. Say thank you to the bus driver when you ride the bus. Make eye contact with the server at a restaurant and say thank you. Say, thank you when your mother drops you off. We’re all doing the best we can. We’re all busy!
Listening
However, you feel an easy way to show respect is to make eye contact. Make eye contact when someone is talking. Even if you don’t like what someone is saying and think you don’t need to listen, be respectful. Practice basic listening skills. You could improve by nodding your head to show that you’re listening. Summarize what someone has said after they’ve said it before you respond. Show that you’re listening and learning. Ultimately, the decision is yours. You have nothing to prove.
Listen when people are talking. You’ll seem bored and self-centered if you look around the room or eavesdrop on other conversations while your friend speaks. When you’re with anyone, give them your attention. Listen to what others say and focus on them during conversations. Ask questions and show an interest. Follow up by asking, “How did that make you feel?” or “What happened next?”
Read a novel for therapy.
A study in the September 2020 issue of Discover Magzine revealed people who enjoy reading fiction can easily empathize with others. Reading a good book can help you understand and recognize the character’s emotions. Unlike watching a movie, it takes patience to read, understand each character’s role, and imagine yourself in their shoes. This is a great way to work on yourself if you are self-centered. Of course, reading one book won’t automatically make you a selfless expert. It’s merely a starting point.
Learning to invest in the lives of others can help you get started. This doesn’t include prying into personal privacy. Only you are aware of your actual self-centered behaviors. If you liked this article, be selfless and share it with a friend.