“I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.” – Maya Angelou
Some people might say that good manners are not in style anymore.
Though it may not seem like it, good manners are essential to success in many areas of life. This is because the benefits of good manners start in childhood and continue into adulthood.
Here’s a quick refresher on why manners are such a big deal.
WHY GOOD MANNERS ARE IMPORTANT IN LIFE
The basic rules of good manners, courtesy, and etiquette are important for creating a polite and cohesive society.
Not only are they essential, but they are also tremendously beneficial for us as we interact with each other and build relationships. Manners are important because they show respect and compassion.
The main reason we are polite and have good manners is because we want to avoid hurting other people’s feelings.
If you have good manners, you will be able to interact better with people, build good relationships, and communicate better.
The way we treat others usually impacts how they treat us in return, whether positively or negatively.
It is important to be well mannered not only for your own benefit, but also to set a good example for others. Good manners show thoughtfulness and consideration for others, and inspire similar behavior in return.
It’s hard to underestimate how much good can come from one small act of kindness and respect.
10 BENEFITS OF GOOD MANNERS (FOR KIDS & ADULTS)
Ever wondered what role manners play in society?
In a world where snatching, shoving, and shouting are acceptable and ever-present, imagine how different things would be.
What a sad state of society that would be.
If people do not have good manners and etiquette, the world becomes a very chaotic and rude place.
The benefits of good manners are numerous and powerful. A few of the most notable advantages include:
1. INSTILLS CONFIDENCE
Building confidence comes from taking actions that line up with our values in different situations.
When you know social manners, you can act appropriately and avoid feeling self-conscious.
It protects you from being embarrassed by something you said or did.
2. MAKES THE BEST FIRST IMPRESSION
First impressions are important. They set the stage for future relationships and opportunities.
They don’t know anything about you when you meet them. People tend to make assumptions about you based on how you carry and behave yourself, both in terms of how you speak and act.
Although it can be scary to meet someone for the first time, being well mannered will make the experience much better. You never know where a great first impression might take you.
3. OPENS DOORS TO OPPORTUNITIES
Good manners can help you succeed even more than getting a good education.
One of the many benefits of having good manners is that they can open up unforeseen, potentially life-changing opportunities.
The possibilities aren’t limited to career choices, either.
When you are mindful of others, people notice and remember you because you make them feel good.
When an opportunity presents itself, it is typically the courteous, well-behaved person who is considered and asked to participate.
4. CULTIVATES CONCERN FOR OTHERS
Think about manners in action. They look like:
- Holding the door for others
- Offering help
- Chewing with your mouth closed
- Making eye contact during conversation
The most important part of good manners is thinking of others before yourself.
From this perspective, it is evident that the advantages of behaving thoughtfully are not limited to oneself—they have a ripple effect on society as a whole.
5. SAFEGUARDS AGAINST SELFISHNESS
Selfishness ruins relationships and damages reputations.
Not only that, it breeds loneliness. No one wants to be around people who are only concerned with themselves.
But proper manners provides natural protection against such condition. You cannot lead a well-mannered life without caring about how your actions affect others.
You can’t really be mindful of others and be selfish at the same time.
6. SPARKS JOY
There is great joy in helping others. Happiness is based on circumstances beyond our control, but joy is something we can have no matter what happens.
It feels good to know that your actions and the way you conduct yourself have a positive effect on other people.
Good behavior is something that you can be proud of, even if it seems like no one notices (but be assured that they do).
7. INSPIRES RECIPROCATION
We don’t just practice good manners because we expect the same in return, even though that is often a nice bonus.
- It’s easy to be nice to others when they’re nice to us.
- We’re more willing to share with others when they share with us.
- When we serve others, they are more likely to serve us at some point.
While we are not motivated by reciprocity, it is a particularly enjoyable advantage.
8. LAYS THE FOUNDATION FOR SUCCESS IN LIFE
Being successful in life takes more than just hard work. If you work hard and have good manners, you will be able to overcome any obstacle.
Being well mannered and having good etiquette is admirable and something that people will respect you for.
It produces a chain reaction. Respect is the foundation of every solid relationship, both business and personal.
9. FOSTERS BETTER RELATIONSHIPS
What sort of friends do you want to have? To work with?
People who are rude, self-serving, and loud-mouthed would probably not be considered good candidates for friends.
You are more likely to want to be around people who exhibit qualities such as politeness, friendliness, and thoughtfulness towards others.
Etiquette is important in developing good relationships. It provides a framework for positive interactions that can eventually lead to deeper relationships.
10. MAKES OTHERS FEEL NOTICED AND APPRECIATED
How many people go through their day feeling invisible and uncared for? It’s heartbreaking to think about, but it’s true.
It reminds me of a quote from the Good Manners Guide:
The simple action of holding a door communicates something.
When you listen to someone, it communicates that you value them and what they have to say. Having more time is one of the best gifts you can give someone in our busy world.
This also lets them know that you are aware of their presence and that you can see them. Every one of us has felt invisible at times. Many people sadly feel invisible to others and even to God. How nice would it be if you held the door open for somebody and they smiled back at you?
Just a few seconds of our time can make a big difference to other people.
HOW TO TRAIN WELL-MANNERED CHILDREN
One of the best ways to teach your kids good manners is to model them. I’ve never understood how parents expect their kids to behave politely in the world, when they are treated without respect at home.
It’s important to have good manners not only in the community, but also within the family. They help us relate well with others.
BE THE ROLE MODEL: DISPLAY MANNERS IN ACTIONS
Being the leader in your family isn’t all about giving orders. You might think that being a great leader means giving orders, but that’s not always the case.
You can’t tell someone to do something and then not do it yourself.
It is important for parents to be a good role model for their children and show them how to use good manners in everyday life.
If we want our children to use polite words, have a positive attitude, and demonstrate appropriate behavior, we need to model those behaviors for them.
BE SPECIFIC: PROVIDE EXAMPLES
Etiquette is defined by rules and guidelines. However, good manners go much deeper. They involve the heart underlying our actions.
When teaching someone a new skill, it can be helpful to provide specific scenarios and act out exactly what should be done.
Good manners are best taught by being specific and calling attention to proper actions, reactions, behavior, and speech.
Younger children, especially, seem to love role play. You can make a game of it! If you’re looking for some fun ideas to teach your kids about good manners, try one of these free activities.
One way to get your child to start using better manners is to try hanging a manners chart in your home and using it as a reference.
BE CONSISTENT: MAINTAIN EXPECTATIONS
If you want to be successful in raising children, you need to be consistent.
It takes time and effort, but it’s crucial to set clear expectations and reinforce them consistently.
If you want your children to clear their plates after every meal, make sure they do it every day until it becomes a habit.
If you want your kids to be polite to the elderly, remind them to hold the door open for them whenever they forget.
Your steadfastness is key to their effectiveness – but be sure to give them space to remember for themselves. Nagging someone to say thank you or to hold a door before they’ve had a chance to remember it for themselves often breeds resentment, rather than good habits.
BE ENCOURAGING: COMPLIMENT GOOD BEHAVIOR
Most people like to be recognized for doing something well, and children are no different.
If your child says “thank you,” acknowledge them.
Let them know that you noticed and appreciate what they did.
When you reinforce good conduct, it shows the people around you that their considerate behavior makes you happy.
It is important to have good manners in order to get along with others in society.
Manners are best taught from childhood, but the benefits last a lifetime.
When you have good manners, act politely, and show etiquette, it has a positive effect on the people around you. The benefits of this are immeasurable and invaluable.
How to develop good habits.
Developing good habits takes a significant amount of work. It doesn’t happen overnight. I’ve found that the best way to implement any habit into your life is to make micro-changes. How does it work? To implement a habit, spend five minutes each day for the first week. Just five minutes? Yes.
The following week, double that effort. You’ll spend 10 minutes implementing it. But you have to do it every day. That’s the goal. Consciously be aware of what you’re doing. If you want a certain habit to become a part of your life, doing it repetitively will help make that happen. The average time it takes to develop a habit is 66 days, but it can range from 18 to 254 days. If you’re committed to making these part of your routine, don’t give up.
How many of the habits from the list do you possess? Do you have any bad habits that are preventing you from being successful in life? Assess your current habits and identify which ones are helping or hurting your chances of success. Then, make a plan to adopt new, positive habits that will put you on the path to achieving your goals.
Best Productivity Habits
How productive we are has an effect on many areas of our lives. In the end, it is about how much we can accomplish in the short amount of time we have in this life. If you want to be successful in achieving your goals, you should follow these productivity habits.
1. Follow a morning routine.
Develop a morning routine that will help you succeed throughout the day.
2. Implement the 80/20-Rule.
This rule is commonly referred to as the Pareto Principle, and suggests that 80% of outcomes are a result of 20% of inputs. This means that 80 percent of sales come from 20 percent of customers. Find out which small subset of efforts are having the biggest impact and expand on them.
3. Create a daily to-do list.
Every day, create a to-do list with action items that will help you achieve your goals.
4. Identify important-but-not-urgent tasks.
The tasks that are important but not urgent are the ones that will help you achieve your long-term goals.
5. Track productivity numbers daily.
Take the time to track everything. Using whatever unit of measurement is appropriate, to the very last one. Recognizing patterns can help you be more productive.
6. Do a review every day.
At the end of every day, take a moment to reflect on what you’ve accomplished. This will help you become aware of your progress and keep you motivated.
7. Ignore the unimportant.
Don’t focus on the things that are taking up your time but aren’t important. It may be difficult at first, but it will become easier with practice.
8. Take ample breaks throughout the day.
This scientific study suggests that small diversions from the task at hand can help to amplify productivity.
9. Visualize the end-result.
When you can see what you are trying to achieve it becomes easier to stay focused and motivated to work towards your goal. Creating a visual representation of your goals makes it easier to track your progress and keep on track.
10. Avoid interruptions and distractions.
Interruptions and distractions can break the flow of thinking. Approximately 25 minutes are needed to get back on track after losing your train of thought, according to one study.
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