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Writer's pictureAndrew J Calvert

Ten ways to develop humility

Arrogant people can overwhelm you with their, "I'm so awesome" show. There are some great articles out there on how to tell someone they're arrogant (and how to minimize the fallout from such conversations. But here I'd like to suggest we take a look at ourselves and make sure we are behaving with humility and "being the change" we want to see


How many of these do you do regularly? Consistently? Which one can you practice today?


  1. Seek out awe: I've previously written about the power of awe. Experiencing awe can jolt us out of a self-focused mindset, stirring feelings of wonder and inspiration by reminding us that we're all just one piece of a greater puzzle. Research suggests that experiencing awe not only enhances happiness and physical health but also helps us to feel more humble. It is most likely to occur in places that have two key features: physical vastness and novelty. These could include natural settings, like a hiking trail lined with tall trees, or urban settings, like at the top of a skyscraper. No matter where you are, the key is to be in the right frame of mind. The Awe Walk practice is designed to help you get there—to turn an ordinary walk into a series of awe-inspiring moments, filled with delightful surprises

  2. Listen, Really Listen: Practice active listening without interrupting or preparing your response while the other person is talking. Let their words sink in before you jump in with your own thoughts

  3. Ask yourself questions: When you find yourself disagreeing with someone, ask yourself these questions: Why do I disagree? Do I have all the information about this? Am I making any assumptions? How did I come to hold this view and where did I get this information? And then flip it around and ask yourself those same questions about the other person's views: Where did their beliefs come from? What information might they have that I don't? 

  4. Try getting distance from yourself /Practice Self Reflection: "Self-distancing"—looking at oneself like an outside observer—can significantly increase intellectual humility. Try keeping a journal for a month - but write this in the third person to create intellectual distance between you and your experiences

  5. Try to be patient: This is respond don't react... Simply try to be patient as you gather information and keep an open mind until you need to take action

  6. Admit Your Mistakes: Nobody's perfect. Own up to your slip-ups and learn from them. When you mess up, acknowledge it openly and use it as a chance to improve

  7. Practice Gratitude: Take time each day to reflect on the things you're grateful for. Acknowledge the role others have played in your life and the blessings you've received, big or small

  8. Serve Others: Humility thrives when you shift the focus from yourself to others. Look for ways to serve those around you, whether it's through acts of kindness, volunteering, or simply lending a helping hand

  9. Stay Teachable: No matter how much you know, there's always more to learn. Stay open-minded and curious, seeking knowledge and wisdom from every source you encounter.

  10. Keep Perspective: Recognize your place in the grand scheme of things. Understand that you're just one piece of the puzzle, and everyone else's puzzle piece is just as important as yours

  11. Stay Humble, Hustle Hard: Finally, let's remember that humility isn't about playing small or downplaying your achievements. It's about staying grounded while striving for your greatness

  12. Don't get caught up in minutiae: There are really only eleven practices in this mistitled 12 point post...

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