Accept your limitations Acknowledge that you’re human and that there are some things that others can do better than you. This doesn’t mean giving up on your aspirations, but simply recognizing your natural human fallibility. Examples: “She’s probably the best skier in the world! She really inspires me.” “I’m not the best when it comes to classical poetry but I know enough to enjoy and understand it.” Express gratitude Be grateful for the people in your life who have helped you become the person you are today. Gratitude can foster a sense of wellbeing and groundedness within you. Examples: “I’m extremely grateful for my parents; without them, I never would have developed the work ethic to graduate and do what I’m doing today.” “I could not have gotten to this place without the help of my amazing professors and mentors who pushed me to see my own strengths and weaknesses.” Avoid bragging While you should feel proud of your accomplishments, there’s a difference between healthy self-esteem and gloating. Other people will notice your achievements, so there’s no need to point them out at nauseum. Examples: ✗ “Have I told you about the time I climbed Mt. Everest? Well I did, 8 times. I can’t help but tell you again, each climb has such a good story… ” ✓ “I’m an avid climber, and am proud to say that I completed Everest last year.” Show appreciation for others Appreciate people for their talents, deeds, and who they are—even if you don’t necessarily agree with them. Examples: “I appreciate and admire your ability to always look on the bright side. You inspire me to be more optimistic.” “I love how passionate you are about protecting the environment, it makes me want to take action myself.” Defer to others’ judgment Even if you disagree with someone’s opinion or wishes, it’s important to honor them to show that you are not always right or have to have it your way. Examples: “I’d probably do it differently, but I know you have more experience than I do so let’s do it your way.” “I don’t want to take the train but if you think it’s the safest way, we’ll do it.” Stay teachable Odds are, someone has a better grasp of certain things than you do so keep an open mind about learning new things. Ask questions, be curious, and allow others to teach you. Examples: “I know a little about poetry, but you seem to have a well of information. I’d love to hear more about metered styles.” “I know a lot about geology and survival skills, but I think I’ll take some classes to learn more before I go caving.” Help others Doing someone a favor or volunteering can humble you in the sense that you connect with others and learn to treat them as an equal. Just don’t boast about your volunteering—it’s not about you, it’s about the people you help. Examples: “I’d be happy to run some errands for you while you’re sick. Let me know what you need!” “I really connected with this one gentleman I met while volunteering at the shelter. His name is Charles, he is a natural comedian, and he’s teaching me how to play chess!” Practice patience Whether you’re standing in line or sitting in traffic, be patient. Being in a rush and/or adamant about going first sends the message that your time is more valuable than everybody else’s time. Examples: “I see you only have a few items, would you like to go in front of me to check out?” “I’m in no rush. You’re welcome to go ahead if you like.” Give compliments Look for the good in people and share it with them if you like. Compliment their style, personality, or other appropriate qualities. Examples: “You have such a great laugh, just hearing it brightened my day!” “Your hair color is beautiful, it makes your eyes pop even more.” Apologize If you’ve made a mistake, own up to it. Acknowledging your mistakes makes you more respectable and shows that you’re not selfish, stubborn, or narcissistic (i.e., unwilling to not “win” or look perfect). Examples: “I’m sorry, I’m afraid I made a mistake on those reports. I’ll fix it right away.” “I spoke without thinking and I meant no offense. I regret that I hurt you and I’m sorry.” Listen more than you speak Part of being humble is being a considerate conversationalist. Actively listening to what others are saying instead of thinking about how you’ll respond or interrupting them. People like to share their stories and goals just like you do, so ask questions to show that you’re engaged. Examples: “Yes, I hear where you’re coming from. Tell me more about how you’re going to deal with this?” “That’s an amazing story! What happened next?”