We today live in a world of cut-throat competition.  One has to brave all odds, slog and toil relentlessly in order to achieve the acme of success. There’s no second chance and thus one has to prove one’s mettle on the first opportunity itself. Our personality plays a crucial role in our quest for success.

It is well said that “The opportunity knocks at your doorstep only once.” Hence, we have to burnish our personality accordingly to take the first mover advantage in pursuit of our goals. But many people at times wonder, “What is Personality development?” Personality development is not restricted to merely enhancing one’s own physical appearance. However, personality development is more synonymous to the improvement in the way you think, your manner of interaction with your peers, boss and people working at lower levels than yours, your dressing preferences, mannerism and much more. Development of our latent skills as well as attempting to imbibe virtues like self-motivation, calmness, leadership abilities etc. always add to your personality and most importantly to one’s ‘inner self’. Please do not confuse personality development as some way to become an idealist; it’s about adaptation to our surroundings and presenting oneself in a better way in order to achieve the pinnacles of success. Here are the top 10 easy tips for you to improve your personality and be your own hero:

10. Be yourself!

Always remember that you are not born to impress but to express. Be passionate about what you want to do and do your things with passion. One has to break free all kinds of barriers, defy the set rules and play the game with his/her own rules in order to be successful. Thinking of someone as your role model is good but you should try to build yourself as a brand for others to follow. Remember there are no other you.

9. Keep calm and listen

Develop patience to listen what others have to say. It’s not always about you taking the centre stage but also letting others sharing their stories. There’s a lot you can learn from your peers through sharing experiences. You need to value your peers and their opinions. Moreover, listening is a great activity to enhance your concentration levels.

8. Watch your body language 

Your body speaks a lot more than your words. It is indeed a reflection of what’s going on in your mind at that point of time. While talking to someone, make sure you maintain an eye-to-eye contact with the other person. Looking at the bare walls or on the ground clearly shows that you are nervous and hesitant. Keep your vertebrae erect and postures right and don’t be lousy and robotic in moves. Always try to maintain your energy levels. And finally, don’t forget to greet others with a handshake or ‘Namaskara’ when you meet someone and while bidding farewell.

7. Dress yourself well!

Every event in life demands a particular kind of dress to be worn. E.g. you are going for an interview in your pyjamas, can you imagine the employer’s response? In order to carry yourself in a confident manner, the way you dress plays an important role. At the same time, you need to make sure that you wear clothes that you can carry comfortably. Fashion isn’t all about latest trends; it’s about the ease with which you carry your clothes at places.

6. Show your manners; be a gentleman/lady

Manners are the reflection of our civilised society. So don’t act uncivilised or in a barbaric way. Treat your team mates respectfully and politely. Cooperativeness and being considerate are the virtues that give you an edge over others.Etiquettes are just another tool to present you in a better way to others.  Manners also reflect the school of thinking you belong to.

5. Network well with others

Be social and develop contacts with your peers. Try to interact with others and build your own opinion about a range of issues such as politics, economic slowdown etc. Participate in seminars and group discussions as well. Being shy or introvert is the least desirable characteristic in today’s fast-paced world. Communication is an important tool to build your knowledge base, share experiences and build personal relationships. Don’t try to dictate and impose your thoughts on others but always be open to learning.

4. Develop leadership qualities

A leader is not born but made through consistent efforts. Lead your team and be encouraging to your team mates. This will make them realise that you value their efforts as well. Be cooperative and patient. Grab all the opportunities to prove your mettle and showcase your skills while working in challenging environments.

3. Self- motivation is the key

There are times when you may feel disappointed and hopeless. Gloom and depression may surround you all the time. But you need to motivate yourself and tell yourself that “You can, you will”. Think of your past experiences when you have fought hard and achieved your aim. The sheer moment of happiness and pride is enough to pull you out of your despair.

2. Be a learner

There’s no age to learning. Moreover, learning is an on-going process. Life is the best teacher. One needs to learn from their mistakes and try to improve oneself. Indulge in reading and exploring new things.   Learning will keep you updated in a challenging working environment and open minded towards accepting new happenings. Rather than comparing yourself with others, set realistic goals for yourself and learn while you are in the journey of reaching your goal. Practice makes the man perfect.

1. Be optimistic and confidence

‘Where there’s a will, there’s a way’ is an old saying. Your positive attitude and confidence levels are closely related. Optimism will help you thrive under pressure and tough circumstances. Moreover, one should believe in one’s own abilities and senses rather than giving up. Failures too are the stepping stones to success. Not everyone is willing to take risks in his life and that’s why not everyone manages to be the master of his own destiny. Always remember that faith and confidence gives birth to the next great leader.