Why Success Does Not Mean You Have To Be Arrogant

I’ve always wondered, in our fast-paced and competitive society, do we often stop and remember to stay humble?

My parents always reminded me to always stay humble no matter how successful I am or if I ever will be. Well, I have to admit, sometimes, I can be a little arrogant and egotistical. I mean, who isn’t at one point of their life, especially when they have reached a really high point in which they feel they have succeeded? The saying “the hardest thing to do when having success is to stay humble” goes a long way.

Can you imagine if you were Kim Kardashian, would you flaunt it? Would you buy nice things and show it off on social media? Or if you get the chance to work for one of the top companies in the world, would you boast? I mean, let’s be real here, I would say most people would show of their bits of success every chance they get, especially in an extremely competitive society that encourages competition and individualism.

It’s perfectly normal to feel proud of our accomplishments and want a little attention, I mean, we worked hard for it! But when things get a little too out of hand, it can get really nasty. People tend to forget that people are still people and that we have feelings and emotions.

1. Limitations do exist

After all, always remember that at the end of the day, no matter how fast-paced technology is, we’re still only human. It is totally fine and acceptable if you are unable to master every single thing. It is also fine if you are not always 100% correct. There will always be someone who can do it better than you at something and you just have to accept that. Acknowledging your very own limitation does not mean you suck, it just means that you are a human being and not a robot. Admitting that you have limitations is the first step to help you grow and improve your talent and abilities.

2. Rediscover yourself

After you have achieved success in life, the journey does not end there. If you think you’ve seen it all, think again. This attitude of seeing it all makes people wearied to be around with because all they ever hear from them was “oh I’ve been there, done that.” Remember that life is a journey and not a destination? You should never stop learning and growing in life. So what if you travelled the whole of Europe? There is still so much to learn, the world is your oyster. Not to mention, volunteering in a shelter and spending time with kids or pets can help you grow and rediscover the humility in you.

3. Admit your mistakes

Society can be very judgmental and competitive at times that you feel there is no room for any mistakes at all. The fear that people will judge you has led to this big ball of arrogance. To practice being humble, it is always better to admit making a mistake than to cover it up. Not only will people appreciate your honesty but you will also do yourself a favor by improving yourself. Admitting a mistake and apologizing shows that you don’t mind being imperfect and that will earn people’s respect.

4. Appreciate

Last but not least, be appreciative! Be grateful for what you have. Once in a while, it’s always good to appreciate the talent or success of others as well. Practice compassion by being kind and empathetic. Remember that not everyone has the same definition of success as you. It is not always about how much money a person makes or how good looking a person is. Sometimes being a good mother or a good person is someone’s version of success. Appreciate that every individual is unique in their own way. Appreciate people for being human with feelings, not for their talented skills and outer looks in relation to your own.

Have fun practicing humility. It will not happen overnight and takes years and years of growing and understanding, and yes, the journey for you and I will not stop there. Keep going, partner.