When you think of considerate people, what comes to mind? Some may say considerate people make them feel welcome and important. When we are around them, we feel they genuinely care about us. Do you consider to be a considerate person? Being considerate is not difficult although it is not intuitive for all people. Being considerate benefits everyone, and mostly the considerate person. It might not seem that the considerate person gets most of the benefit on the outside looking in but the mental feeling someone gets when they do good is undeniable. Being considerate is good for your health. It generates so much feel-good chemicals in your body which gives you energy, makes you feel good about yourself. When you feel good about yourself, you won’t indulge in bad habits, like eating junk food to get that feel good sensation. Here are a few ways to be considerate.
Show up on time
Respect the other persons time. Your time is not more important than anybody else. Although being late happens, common courtesy should be to let the other person know you will be late or reschedule if needed.
Be empathetic
Show an ability to understand the feelings of another. Walk in their shoes and change your perspective. What would you do in their place? Ask yourself, is this a moment is this a time accommodate their feelings and listen or provide tangible help in a tough situation. It is important to know when to provide advice and know when to listen. It takes practice and you won’t always get it right. Do not get discouraged and learn from your experience. There is no set instructions for this because every situation is different and everyone is different.
Apologize
Be accountable for your actions and apologize when it’s necessary. Do not hesitate to reach out. On the other hand do not apologize when you did nothing wrong. If the other person does not admit they are not wrong, try to understand them and coach them through it.
Smile
When someone smiles at us, we fell good about ourselves and the person smiling feels good about themselves. It’s a win-win. Greet people with a smile and you’ll change the energy around you. Smile when you enter a room and see the mood change instantly. In addition to smiling, show manners by opening the door for other people, say thank you, and do what you hope other people would do for you. Make the other people at ease and comfortable.
Follow your intuition
Sometimes you sense people are not being themselves. If you have the intuition someone is off, do not hesitate to reach out to them to see how they are feeling. If they say they are fine, not a problem, you checked in. However, if you were right and they are not feeling well, you can lend a hand and help them through it or help get the help they need. You can be empathetic. Sometimes all someone needs is someone to talk through their problem. They will appreciate your concern.
Those are five things you can incorporate in your day-to-day to be considerate. Take a look back at your day, did you do any of these?
Take care.