It’s hard to be a man sometimes, adjusting to changing social dynamics and situations. Johnny Pharr offers five tips to help you keep your humility as you retain your irresistible charm.
—
Handling ourselves with a little humility goes a long way, but the humble art seems to have disappeared with dial telephones and TV dinners. Rest assured, a whiff of old manners is still in the air, and when practiced, is appreciated. These five methods to hone your humility will help you in many different situations in your varied and complex life.
- Don’t be a braggart. No one likes the guy who brags. Every person around you strives to be humble, so do the same unless you jaw about your kids (you get a free pass as long as your stories are reasonable, tolerable and not too TMI). Men and women both seem to dislike the braggart and truthfully, it’s just gross behavior. So bow out. Instead of bragging, tell people how thankful you are for everything you have earned in life. Your gratitude leaves a much better impression.
- Be genuine. This objective seems to be out of reach for many people as we live in a society of social media, and fast-spreading rumors, which encourage competition and insecurity. You will be much more likable if you refuse to play the Oneupmanship game and commit to being yourself. Being yourself just feels better and if no one likes you for keeping it real, who cares as long as you like you.
- Be positive. Always choose the sunnier approach to any situation because positivity never fails to give you the advantage. We all know negative people and we all know our opinions of them. YUCK! As an optimistic human, your uplifting gesture has the power to relieve people of their burdens as you inspire them to live the same way.
- Learn to be a good and gracious sport. You are not always going to win at everything you do, and when you take the high road you demonstrate the actions of a real winner. It’s bliss when we’re rewarded for hard work, and when you slave away to attain a goal you should get a reward! You’ve earned the right to be proud, which you can do while demonstrating grace—a characteristic that’s never wrong to emulate.
- LAUGH AT YOURSELF! Levity at your own expense allows you to practice the ultimate humility—never allowing anything to get under your skin. The next time you’re unsure whether you should laugh, or feel ashamed, shine a spotlight on the awkward moment and bust a gut along with everyone else. Laughing at ourselves may actually be the most attractive quality in humankind, IMO. It salves potentially painful interactions and delivers us from the judgment of others because if we are joining in, it can’t really be all that bad.
—
Photo: Getty Images
Kodiak?
Great stuff, Johnny! The key to being a warm and impactful human being is not having to be in charge all the time. Then, when you do have something to say, people will be much more receptive.
That’s a great point you Make Mark. Thank you for sharing.