As college students who are beginning to accomplish their goals and achieve more great things, it's important to shed away feelings of entitlement, and remember to keep ourselves strongly grounded. It is very easy to lose sight of what is right and what is wrong when you successfully achieve your dreams. There are several ways to humbly shed that sticky sense of pride. Regardless of your place in life, here are a few suggestions for learning to function as a more modest and gracious individual.
Be Grateful
Rather than being full of arrogance and pride, try being grateful for the things you have. Don't forget those who helped you achieve this status and be thankful for having them in your life. This feeling of gratitude will humble you and help you remember your journey to all of your successes.
Remember Where You Started
Remember your journey. Many of us come from humble beginnings. We make something of ourselves through the pursuit of hard work, persistence, integrity, and a bit of good luck. Yes, you have every right to be proud of the success that you've earned, but don't ever forget where you come from. You may be far from where you once were, but you're not yet where you want to be.
Adjust Expectations
After we reach a certain point in our successes, we subconsciously subscribe to the belief that we no longer need to work as hard to get what we want. We graduate from college believing our countless hours of studying should earn us a fulfilling job. Don't expect applause for your success and avoid facing your failures.
Grasp Reality
In order to humbly grasp reality, turn your focus to the importance of others. By valuing the needs of others as well as your own, it will be easier to accept the things that don't always go your way. Don't let anyone discourage you from having extremely ambitious dreams, but also make sure you understand the process it will take to achieve them.
Take Ownership and Responsibility
It's common among those with an entitled mindset to avoid taking ownership of their actions. No decision is made without consequence. As difficult as it may be to be accountable for the work that we take on, taking responsibility fosters growth and self-respect.
Work hard and aspire to achieve the goals you have to set out for yourself, but remember to stay humble. Being gracious takes an active effort and is to be practiced daily. Not only as you work your way to the top, but also when you have finally made it and you're enjoying the view you so rightly earned.
Photograph by Carin Olsson
Be Grateful
Rather than being full of arrogance and pride, try being grateful for the things you have. Don't forget those who helped you achieve this status and be thankful for having them in your life. This feeling of gratitude will humble you and help you remember your journey to all of your successes.
Remember Where You Started
Remember your journey. Many of us come from humble beginnings. We make something of ourselves through the pursuit of hard work, persistence, integrity, and a bit of good luck. Yes, you have every right to be proud of the success that you've earned, but don't ever forget where you come from. You may be far from where you once were, but you're not yet where you want to be.
Adjust Expectations
After we reach a certain point in our successes, we subconsciously subscribe to the belief that we no longer need to work as hard to get what we want. We graduate from college believing our countless hours of studying should earn us a fulfilling job. Don't expect applause for your success and avoid facing your failures.
Grasp Reality
In order to humbly grasp reality, turn your focus to the importance of others. By valuing the needs of others as well as your own, it will be easier to accept the things that don't always go your way. Don't let anyone discourage you from having extremely ambitious dreams, but also make sure you understand the process it will take to achieve them.
Take Ownership and Responsibility
It's common among those with an entitled mindset to avoid taking ownership of their actions. No decision is made without consequence. As difficult as it may be to be accountable for the work that we take on, taking responsibility fosters growth and self-respect.
Work hard and aspire to achieve the goals you have to set out for yourself, but remember to stay humble. Being gracious takes an active effort and is to be practiced daily. Not only as you work your way to the top, but also when you have finally made it and you're enjoying the view you so rightly earned.
Photograph by Carin Olsson
