"3 Proven Ways To Get Respect"

Respect is one of the most precious currencies in the world. High achievers know that earning it is essential to success. With it, you have the power to shape and influence your world. Without it, you will quickly learn the path to success becomes exceedingly arduous.

“You have to give respect in order to get respect.” – Lauren Barnholdt

Respect must be earned, and it’s no secret that you have to give it to get it. But even when you have it, respect can be lost because it is dynamic and ever changing. It requires daily effort. At its core, respect is an exchange of trust and appreciation, and it is essential to thriving in a globally connected world.

Below are 3 proven ways to get more respect:

Respect yourself.
Actively listen to understand others.
Be mindful of what you say and do.

“Respect for ourselves guides our morals; respect for others guides our manners.” – Laurence Sterne

Respect Yourself. We’ve all heard the old saying “If you don’t respect yourself, then no one will”, and there’s a reason that old saying has been around awhile.. It’s absolutely true. Respecting yourself means knowing your worth. It means forgiving yourself when you make mistakes. It means having confidence and surrounding yourself with the type of people you strive to be like.

To understand why it is important to respect yourself, it helps to know your worth. Think about a unique talent that you’re proud. Remember all the countless hours you put in, the dedication it took, and how hard you worked to develop it. Once you start thinking about all the times you've been successful in the past, it starts to add up quickly. I'd be willing to bet that you forgot about at least a few of those moments, and have accomplished much more than you give yourself credit for.

Regardless of the achievement, we often forget all the effort that went into climbing those mountains until we reached the peak. The secret to respecting yourself is to remember your victories. Each one should be a reminder of your worth, and your proven ability to overcome adversity.

“Anyone who has never made a mistake has never tried anything new.” – Albert Einstein

Success in life requires dedication and attempting things you’ve never tried before. Naturally we make mistakes along the way; but we should always remember that if you never try, you will never succeed. Too often we forget that we grow through our struggles. Properly understood and managed, mistakes are opportunities that allow us to learn and grow from the experience. Few have expressed it better than Nelson Mandela who said, “I never lose. I either win or I learn.”

A great way to boost your confidence and strengthen your self image is to surround yourself with people who demonstrate strong moral character. As people, we tend to mimic our surroundings, so it is important to be mindful of the company you keep. Do your friends inspire you? Do you achieve more with them? Do they make you feel like your presence is appreciated and welcomed? If you answered yes to any of those questions, then you’re on the right track!

“Most people do not listen with the intent to understand; they listen with the intent to reply.” – Stephen R. Covey

Actively listen to others. One of the best ways to earn respect is to actively listen. For the better part of my life, I felt that I was a good listener. People seemed able and willing to confide in me which, to an extent, made me feel special. And then one day I had an epiphany.. I realized the difference between listening and actively listening, and the difference between the two is profound!

Most of us listen to respond to people. Successful people listen to understand. Not only do they gain more respect from actively listening, but they also gain better insight into what is being communicated.

So take the time to truly hear what a person is communicating to you. I promise you will see a noticeable difference in the respect you have for others, as well as the respect they have for you. Active listening shows that your care about what is being said and who is saying it.

Quite frankly, if you can master active listening it will be a game changer in your life because it leads to stronger relationships and a greater appreciation for others.

“Everyone you meet is fighting a battle you know nothing about. Be kind. Always.” - Brad Meltzer

Be mindful of what you say and do. Too often we are quick to judge people, which leads to misunderstandings and conflicts. A good way to earn respect is to remember that we all have our battles. Kindness goes a long way in this world, but sometimes we get caught up in our own lives. You will find that in people respond better to compassion and understanding.

This is even truer for people who might be overlooked by others, because oftentimes they simply want to be acknowledged. Take the time to reach out to others, and do what you can to acknowledge and assist them.

Another thing that you should be mindful of is how you conduct yourself in public space. Being respectful while visiting a national park is crucial to ensuring that it will be around for others to enjoy as well. Being respectful while in a library ensures that everyone can receive the maximum benefit of their time there.

No matter where you are, if you are sharing a space with others always respect their right to be there as well. Being mindful means being aware of people, situations, and your environment. It requires taking the time to observe and understand, but that time is an investment that yields significant dividends.

Truly, mindfulness is one of the best ways to earn and gain respect from others.

Benefits of Respect:

Personal growth
Improved relationships
Sense of pride and achievement
Sets an example for others to follow
Greater understanding of the world around you

Conclusion: Respect is a feeling of deep admiration for someone or something elicited by their abilities, qualities, or achievements. It plays a role in almost everything we say and do. Successful people know the value and importance of respect, and apply that knowledge in order to achieve more in life.

Think about what respect means, and how you can apply it to improve your relationships with those you interact with. Remember a time when someone really earned your respect. How did they act? What do you think their motivation was? How did it impact others? Would you have done the same thing?

Realize that getting success begins with respecting yourself, and then demonstrating it to others. Being respectful requires mindfulness, and actively listening. For those who embrace it, respect ultimately leads to greater achievement in life.

In what other ways can you show respect to yourself and others? What are some other benefits that you can think of? Will you be the person that people admire and emulate?