To properly get along with others is a trait every sociable person should have. It’s significantly more difficult to make friends if you can’t even get along with people, after all. As simple as this sounds, there actually are a handful of things everybody should keep in mind if they want to be able to do this properly and successfully in most instances.
That being said, getting along with others is something that comes naturally to a lot of people. For some, however, it’s a little bit more complicated. If you fall under the latter group, this article will surely help you out.
With that out of the way, let’s take a look at 15 ways you can get along with others properly.
Don’t expect to get along with everybody
The first thing you need to keep in mind is that you won’t be able to get along with everybody you meet, plain and simple. If you go out more often, you’ll inevitably meet people who are disagreeable. Unless they change that for themselves, you won’t be able to do anything about it.
Be that as it may, this doesn’t mean you shouldn’t try. You should still make an effort to get along with others you meet. Just be sure to manage your expectations. If you meet someone you just can’t get along with no matter how hard you try, that’s okay. Move on. Don’t waste your time on those you can’t get along with when you can instead interact with people you can.
Be more understanding
Being understanding is key if you want to get along with others. You’ll need to be even more understanding than you are now. You will meet people who have issues, troubles, and certain unpleasantries at the surface but are genuinely good deep inside. There are people who are misunderstood and misguided. You’ll need to learn how to be understanding towards all individuals, including the ones I mentioned above.
This is something that’s easier said than done but will definitely become indeed easier over time. Be understanding everywhere you go, no matter who you meet. Understand their past and history and why they are the way they are now. Know their interest and passion. See the good as well as the bad in them. You’ll easily get along with people by simply being more understanding of a person.
Be approachable
Being approachable makes it easier for people to go up to you and spark up a conversation with you. It will help them get comfortable with the idea of talking to you. Think of this as your way of making things easier for the other person while you’re also employing other things on your end to get along with them.
That said, be sure to keep up a neat and clean physical appearance. Make sure to wear a smile as often as you can and to stand up straight to look more confident and happy. Doing these things will help you become and look more approachable, thus allowing others to go up to you easily, thus allowing you to properly get along with others.
Be more open-minded
You’ll also need to be more open-minded if you want to get along with others. Being open-minded will enable you to engage others who have opposing views, beliefs, and opinions with you. Not everyone shares your thoughts, after all. You will inevitably meet people who are vastly different from you.
Despite this, you can still engage them in a meaningful and respectful conversation. This is something you especially need to do if your goal is to get along with others. You can make this happen by remaining open-minded.
Besides, if you manage to become more open-minded as a person, the world will be a much better place for you. You’ll be less angry and more accepting. You might even pick up a new thing or learn new information. While all of this is happening, you’re getting along with everybody you meet. You’ll be hitting a lot of birds with just one stone.
Avoid being so negative all the time
Keep being negative and you’ll never be able to get along with others. People often find negative people repulsive. They see them as individuals who tend to repel joy and laughter whenever they only focus on the negative aspects of everything.
Avoid being this type of person. As true as it may be that there are a lot of things in this world that is unseemly and terrible, that shouldn’t discourage you from the undeniable great things in life. Start looking at those things instead and your life will be brighter for it and it’ll be easier for you to get along with others in the process.
Listen
The art of listening is more useful than you might think. After all, how are you able to connect with someone if you can’t even listen to the words they’re saying? You will need to listen with pure, undivided attention to fully understand the extent of what the other person is trying to tell you. You’ll be able to pick up on subtle cues you otherwise wouldn’t be able to if you didn’t listen intently.
This tip is so minor and basic that a lot of people tend to overlook it. Don’t fall under the same trap. If you want to properly get along with others, you’ll need to master the art of listening, among other things. So, keep that in mind the next time you’re interacting with somebody. Make sure your mind isn’t wandering elsewhere when someone is talking to you. Give them your full, undivided attention.
Go out more often
If you want to actually get along with other people, you can’t just remain holed up at home. If you’re not used to going out more often, it’s something you’ll need to get used to from here on out.
Whenever you get the chance, be sure to go out and spend time with other people. Go out with your friends. Go out with your co-workers. Head to the park to meet the locals. When you get asked out, say yes. See the outside world and meet strangers. You’ll have a blast as long as you know what you’re getting into.
If you’re an introvert, be sure to allow yourself a break. Don’t overexert yourself. Take a break every once in a while. However, once you’re ready and able, be sure to take the time to head out.
Surround yourself with like-minded individuals
You’ll find it way easier to get along with others if you surround yourself with like-minded individuals. That said, seek out clubs for an interest of yours. Join it to meet people who share your passion for a particular thing or activity. When you meet these people, getting along with them will be so much easier for you.
Other than that, you can also find like-minded individuals among your circles if you keep talking about your interests. At some point, someone will go up to you and tell you that they share a particular interest with you as well.
Offer help in any way you can
When the opportunity comes up for you to help someone else with anything at all, grab that chance. You’ll make someone’s day and you’ll be able to properly get along with them. It’s an incredibly nice thing to do and it will help you reach your goal in the end, so it’s a win-win situation.
Don’t actively seek out people who need help, mind you. Just be sure to take the time and opportunity to help whenever you encounter someone who needs help. The more you do this, the more natural it’ll come for you to help other people. It’ll be an impulse you won’t be able to resist, which is all the better. As long as you’re helping someone without damaging your well-being, you’re doing an amazing deed.
Don’t be overbearing
Being overbearing goes against everything you’re trying to do. As already pointed out in this article, you won’t be able to get along with everyone you meet. If you force someone to get along with you even though you two have nothing in common and just can’t get along, you’ll only make things way harder for yourself.
This goes with individuals you can get along with too. In some instances, some people find it challenging to get to know and become close with a stranger. Even though the two of you can really connect with one another, it may take some time for them to really get along with you.
When this happens, be sure to allow the friendship to flourish at their pace. Adjust according to their speed. This is how you can make things easier for them. Be considerate and you’ll get along with these individuals in time.
Know which things bother you
It will greatly help you get along with others if you get to know yourself better. While it’s easy to pinpoint what your interests are, it will also be very beneficial for you to know which things bother you. That way, when you go out to socialize or to just hang out, you’ll know when something that bothers you is about to happen and you’ll be able to react and adjust accordingly.
This is a minor tip but it will help you get along with others in the future while watching out for the possible road bumps that may happen. It will allow you to adjust yourself so you’ll avoid ruining your mood or your momentum.
Pay attention to the body language of others
Aside from minding your own body language, you should also pay attention to the body language of other people. As you know, your body language can speak more about a person’s thoughts than their words. That said, notice another person’s body language. See if they’re comfortable or not. See if they want to be spoken with or not.
This can take a while to master, but in time and as long as you keep remembering this aspect, you’ll be able to get used to it.
Check up on how they’re doing
Every once in a while, check up on a friend or an acquaintance. If there’s someone you haven’t spoken to in a while, just contact them and ask them how they’re doing. The conversation doesn’t have to be complex, as long as you ask how they’re doing, that should be more than enough.
Do this every once in a while. In fact, do this now. Think of someone you haven’t interacted with in a while. It doesn’t matter if you’re close or not. Just ask how they’re doing. You’ll get used to doing this eventually.
Compliment and encourage
Another simple thing you can do to get along with others is to compliment and encourage people. A few uplifting words will make someone else’s day. It will lighten up their mood. They’ll feel very comfortable with you, thus making it easier for you to get along with them.
When complimenting and encouraging someone else, be sure to be sincere with your words. If you fake it, a lot of people will see you as insincere. That said, be genuine and be natural when complimenting and encouraging someone.
Be patient
One of the best things you can do for yourself while meeting this goal is to be patient. As mentioned, getting along with others can take time. If you meet more people, you’ll meet someone who’ll take a long time to adjust with you. So just be patient.
If you’re not that good at getting along with others yet, the time will come when it’ll be incredibly natural for you. Just keep at it and you’ll eventually reach the end goal.
Improve Your Social Skills to Get Along With Others
A socially adept person can easily get along with others. For them, making friends and establishing connections is something that’s easy to do. If you want the same ease for yourself, be sure to take the time to improve your social skills as well.
Pay attention to everything you’ve just read here as it will also help you become a more socially adept person. Take them to heart and apply them the next time you go out. If you need more resources, read the other articles on this site. You’ll find a lot of articles here that will help you out.