Have you ever wondered if you might be a difficult person? Perhaps you’ve been told that you’re hard to get along with, or maybe you’ve noticed that conflicts seem to follow you around. Identifying whether you are a difficult person can be a challenging but essential step toward improving your relationships and personal well-being. Let’s start with a simple quiz.
Answer the Following True / False Statements
- I have strong opinions about politics and/or religion, which I find myself discussing somewhat regularly.
- My boss doesn’t deserve the title. He/She got ahead by being phony, unethical or “knowing someone.”
- I haven’t done anything in the past six weeks meriting a sincere apology.
- I sometimes do someone a favor by offering unsolicited advice.
- I rarely wonder if I might be a difficult person in my relationship, career or family life.
- Most people don’t try as hard as I do.
- I can easily identify one or more people who have prevented me from achieving success, or significantly limited my satisfaction in life.
- If I’m being totally honest, I often find myself to be the “smartest person in the room.”
- It’s pretty easy to tell a “good” person from a “bad” person.
- I’ve been handed a set of life circumstances that are more challenging than those of most people I know.
- Most successful people have been incredibly lucky.
- People resent me for “telling it like it is.”
- Members of the opposite sex are more attracted to me than they like to admit.
How Did You Do?
Let’s check your results. How many questions did you answer as true?
- 0: You are self-aware, personally accountable and a pleasure to be around.
- 1 to 3: You’re pretty good with people, but probably a little more frustrating than you’d like to admit.
- 4 to 6: You tend toward being defensive or a little self-righteous, which can make you a challenge to get along with.
- 7+: I hate to be the one to tell you, but you are a difficult person.
If you are a difficult person, that doesn’t mean you need to continue to be a difficult person. Recognizing and addressing difficult behavior is not about self-criticism but about fostering better relationships and a more fulfilling life. By reflecting on your behavior, seeking feedback, developing empathy, and working on communication skills, you can transform your interactions and create a more positive environment for yourself and those around you.
Remember, change is a gradual process, and every small step counts towards becoming a better version of yourself.
Here are some small steps you can take to help you become a less difficult person:
- Self-Reflection: Spend time reflecting on your interactions and behaviors. Journaling can be a useful tool for this. Self-reflection helps increase self-awareness and identify patterns in your behavior.
- Seek Feedback: Ask trusted friends, family, or colleagues for honest feedback about your behavior. Constructive feedback provides an outside perspective and helps you understand how others perceive you.
- Develop Empathy: Make a conscious effort to listen to others and understand their feelings and perspectives. Increasing empathy improves your relationships and reduces conflicts.
- Practice Apologizing: When you realize you’re wrong or have hurt someone, practice apologizing sincerely and taking responsibility for your actions. Apologizing helps repair relationships and shows maturity.
- Work on Communication Skills: Focus on developing healthy communication skills, such as active listening, assertiveness without aggression, and expressing your needs calmly. Good communication skills can prevent misunderstandings and reduce conflicts.
- Manage Stress and Emotions: Engage in stress-relief activities such as exercise, meditation, or hobbies you enjoy. Learn techniques for managing your emotions. Managing stress and emotions helps you respond more calmly and rationally in difficult situations.
- Seek Professional Help: If you find it challenging to change on your own, consider seeking help from a therapist or counselor. Professional guidance can provide strategies and support to help you make meaningful changes. To get started, call (972) 755-0996 or make an appointment online to see a counselor.
