At first, being proud is a quality. Pride is synonymous with virtue and self-esteem, which also means that proud people can have difficulty seeing their own shortcomings. They often see themselves as superior, which can break relationships and harm their own personal growth. Overcome your pride by recognizing it as a bad habit and replacing arrogance with humility.
Steps
Method 1 of 3: Recognizing Your Pride
Step 1. Assume your mistakes
If you're a proud person, you may have a hard time admitting you're wrong or even avoiding responsibility so you don't risk failure. In a way, everyone has some difficulty doing this, but making a mistake is not a weakness, it's simply a part of being human.
Mature and learn to admit your mistakes and apologize in order to have a healthier social life
Step 2. Get off the defensive
In a way, excessive pride puts you on shaky ground, because you're always afraid of losing your apparent self-confidence. Because of this, you end up acting quickly to defend yourself, not realizing that this attitude reveals your true insecurity and inflexibility, pushing people around you away.
- Instead of following your instincts and going defensive, try taking a deep breath and reasoning with reason. In an argument, it is preferable to first agree with the other and then state your opinion, rather than just contradict the other. Say something like, "Your point of view is valid, let me present mine now" instead of saying "I disagree with you."
- Show an interested attitude towards the other person's opinion.
- Accept criticism as a learning experience. Taking things personally only undermines your maturation.
Step 3. Practice mindfulness.
Also known as “mindfulness,” mindfulness allows you to calm down and connect with the present moment. This brings greater awareness to your thoughts and can help you recognize your proud behaviors, accepting them as part of your personality and therefore being able to change them.
Do this exercise in moments of pride. For example, instead of feeling threatened by a co-worker who is doing exceptional work, see the situation as a learning experience and an opportunity to celebrate the success of your colleagues
Method 2 of 3: Getting Rid of the Fear of Making a Mistake
Step 1. Take more chances
Pride makes you so self-aware that you are afraid of making a wrong choice and ruining your reputation for being superior and right. You end up living on the judgment of others and deprive yourself of making certain decisions that would be good for you.
- Think of something you would like to learn or do and plan to put that idea into practice next week. Don't think too much, just do it!
- Engage in the challenge, paying attention to how you deal with the fear of embarrassment. Avoid thinking about the opinions or judgments of others and think of mistakes as a common learning experience for all people.
Step 2. Accept constructive criticism.
Proud people rarely seek feedback, however, other points of view help you to see how others really see you. Try to respect people's opinions and accept when they try to help you with constructive criticism.
To start, ask a few friends to make an honest list of your three strengths and three shortcomings. Don't defend yourself with what they write and thank them for helping you in that personal growth
Step 3. Don't make comparisons
You often compare yourself to make sure you're better than others. Proud people tend to relate self-esteem to what they have or what they've done, when they should relate it to who they really are. Its value is in being itself, not in the amount of achievements (material or otherwise) throughout life.
Recognize your current beliefs, but learn to question them to mature
Step 4. Question
Pride can delude you into the idea that you know everything and fear of other people's judgment makes you hide what you don't know so as not to appear weak. Overcome pride by admitting you don't have all the answers and questioning everything that bothers you. In this case, the discomfort is a sign of growth.
For example, never leave the classroom with doubts. If the teacher asks if everyone understands the material, don't be afraid to raise your hand and say that you still have doubts about the content explained
Method 3 of 3: Learning to be Humble
Step 1. Share your imperfections
Pride keeps you from admitting your faults, but it is necessary. You will find that by showing yourself as you really are, others will be more sympathetic to you, as everyone has faults and hiding them all the time is tiring. In addition, you will feel less pressure to always have to say or do the right thing.
- Start slowly by being friendly and sharing small things. For example, when you hear someone say they're addicted to chocolate, you might confess that you also have a hard time resisting sweets. Allow yourself to approach others without the effort to appear perfect.
- Showing your vulnerabilities takes courage, but it will become easy in time.
Step 2. Be open to different points of view
You can learn something from each person, just be open to it and actively listen to them. If you keep thinking that you are better than others, you will only drive others away, which will also limit your personal growth.
Even if your colleague's idea doesn't sound good at first, respect him and let him finish talking. Sometimes she will look magnificent when he finishes his reasoning
Step 3. Praise others
Whether in professional or personal life, recognize the qualities of others. Proud people hesitate to let others shine, thinking that their talent could diminish their own achievements. It's not like this. Each has their own skills and knowledge that will not diminish, they will only complement the talents of others.
- For example, if you notice that a friend writes well, say, "Wow, I always thought I wrote well, but you're great!"
- Praising others also makes you happier with yourself when you see your own personal development.
Step 4. Learn to ask for help
Humble people understand that everyone, at some point, needs help. The proud ones, however, try to do everything themselves, pretending they don't need others. Asking for help is not a sign of weakness, but of intelligence, as it reduces your suffering and your loneliness.
Start slowly, asking for small helpings at first, like asking someone to hold the door for you or asking a friend if you can vent. You will soon see how receptive and willing people are to help
Step 5. Helping others is better than being helped
Being humble does not mean treating others as a priority and forgetting about yourself, but not looking only at your navel and paying attention to your surroundings. Learn to notice when someone needs help and be willing to help.
- The next time you see someone who is struggling, ask if there is anything you can do to help them.
- You can also volunteer with an NGO or association in your city.