Do This If You Want to Be More Selfless

In your life story, you are the main character, and getting caught up in your own world is very normal. While you should always take care of yourself, too much inward focus can lead to unintentional selfishness. By taking an objective look at your behaviors, you can identify things that may hurt the people around you – and ways to improve it. Here are some easy ways to start being more selfless.

Check In Often

We often let messages go unanswered or missed calls go without returning them. Taking a quick second to check in on friends and family members is a simple way to show that you care. You never know when someone might need to talk. This act could turn around their entire day or help them through a hard time. So pick up your phone and reach out!

Inquire

A good way to get a feel for how someone is doing is to ask them specific questions rather than just a generic “How are you?” Asking about family, pets, hobbies, jobs, or relationships shows that you want to know what’s going on in their life. Naturally, asking good questions should be accompanied by quality listening. Avoid judgment as someone speaks to you and avoid interrupting at all costs.

Make an Effort Everywhere

Focus on making the people around you feel good, even in the smallest ways. Hold the door for a neighbor. Smile and say good morning as you pass someone on the street. Compliment a co-worker on a piece of jewelry they are wearing. Quick words of kindness to friends and strangers alike can have a big impact.

Do Someone a Favor

If you have the time and the resources, help someone else get through their day more smoothly and lower their stress levels. This could be doing laundry for your partner or bringing your mom the groceries you know she will need to prepare dinner.

Be Grateful

Use your manners, and always say thank you. When others make an effort to do something nice for you, don’t take that for granted! Slowing down and expressing genuine gratitude is a simple way to be more selfless.

Pay It Forward

A random act of kindness is a good practice for building selflessness. For example, you could sacrifice a few dollars and pay for the coffee for the person in line behind you. The smallest act of giving can make a bigger difference than you may realize.

If you are looking for ways to act more selfless, these easy methods will help you get started.