There is more to maturity than just age.There are 6 and 80 year olds.It's a matter of how you treat yourself and others.It's how you think.If you want people to have more respect for you, or if you're tired of childish conversations and fighting, try some of these techniques to learn how to become more mature.When you are mature, you will always be in the room.
Step 1: You can develop your interests.
You might be immature if you don't have developed interests or hobbies.It can make you seem more experienced and mature if you find something that you enjoy doing and become an expert at it.It will allow you to talk about your hobby with other people.Try to keep your hobbies active.It is a lot of fun to watch a TV show marathon, but it is not the best use of your time.Movies, TV, and video games aren't the only things you should be spending your time on.Hobbies can help boost your self-esteem.The parts of your brain that make you happy can be stimulated by them.There is no limit to what you can do.If you want to learn photography, get a camera.Pick up a musical instrument.It's a good idea to practice a new language.You can learn to beatbox.You can start a live-action group.Make sure that whatever you choose is something you enjoy doing, or it will become a chore rather than a hobby.
Step 2: The goals should be set.
Being able to assess your current strengths, determine areas that you need to improve, and set goals for the future is part of maturity.You should keep the future in mind as you make decisions about your life right now.Take action when you have set clear, actionable, and measurable goals.Setting goals can seem overwhelming, but don't worry!It takes a bit of time and planning.Do you value what you do, or do you want to do something else?You can figure out the steps you need to take to get there.You need to think about who, when, where, how, and why.Who.This person will be involved in achieving your goals.You are the main person here.This category could also include a tutor, volunteer, or counselor.What?What do you want to achieve?It is important to be specific in this step.It's too big to prepare for college.You will never get started on that goal.Instead, choose a few specifics that will help you achieve that bigger goal, like "Do a volunteer activity" and "Participate in an extracurricular activity."This will let you know when certain parts of your plan need to be done.Knowing this will keep you on track.If you want to volunteer, you need to know if there is a deadline to apply, when the activities are, and when you will be able to do them.Where.It is helpful to know where you will be working to achieve this goal.You can volunteer at an animal shelter.How.You can identify how you will achieve each stage of your goal in this step.How do you contact the shelter to volunteer?How will you get to the shelter?How will you balance volunteering with other responsibilities?You have to think about the answers to the questions.Why.If you believe it or not, this is the most important part.When the goal is meaningful to you and you can see how it fits in the big picture, you are more likely to achieve it.I want to volunteer at the animal shelter so that I can make my resume more attractive for pre-vet college programs.
Step 3: Know when it's okay to be silly.
You don't have to be serious all of the time.Real maturity is knowing your audience and figuring out when it is appropriate to be silly and serious.You can scale your actions appropriately if you have different levels of silly.It is possible to set aside a part of your day for goofing off.You need time to be silly.You can indulge in wacky hijinks by giving yourself a little time every day.In formal situations, such as school, church, at work, and especially at funerals, silliness isn't appropriate.You are expected to be paying attention.Being silly in these situations is a sign of immaturity.Informal situations like hanging out with your friends can be a good time to get silly.It can help you bond with each other.When it's okay to play a joke or be silly, set some parameters.Don't use mean-spirited or belittling humor.
Step 4: Don't be disrespectful of others.
We need to live in the world together.People may view you as immature if you do things to annoy others or do whatever you want without thinking about the feelings of others.You can cultivate a reputation as a mature and respectful individual by remembering the needs and wants of others.Being respectful of others doesn't mean you have to allow them to walk all over you.It means that you need to listen to others and treat them the way you want to be treated.Don't respond with unkindness of your own if the other person is rude.Show that you are the bigger person by walking away.
Step 5: Pick mature friends.
Your friends will influence you.If you spend time with people who drag you down, you will be less likely to be a better person.
Step 6: Don't be aggressive.
A poor self-esteem can lead to bullied behavior.It can be a way for people to assert their power.It's bad for people who are bullied to be bullied in the first place.If you find yourself being bullied, talk to someone you trust, like a parent or school counselor, about how to stop.Verbal, social, and physical are the three basic types of bully.Making inappropriate comments, threatening others, and name-calling are some of the things that are referred to as verbal bully.Words can cause deep emotional wounds.If you want someone to say something to you, watch what you say.Social bully is damage to someone's social reputation.Spreading rumors, humiliating others, and gossiping are all types of social bully.It involves hurting someone.Physical violence, taking or destroying someone's stuff, and making rude gestures are forms of physical bully.When you are around, don't allow it to happen.There are a lot of ways you can help create a bully-free environment.Setting a good example is important.The bully should be told that their behavior is not funny or cool.Being nice to people who have been bullied.Responsible adults should be told about bullied people.Talk to a counselor or therapist if you feel like you have a problem.Maybe you have deeper issues that are making you feel like you need to belittle or pick on others.A counselor can help you develop more positive relationships.
Step 7: Don't talk about others behind their backs.
Gossip, rumor-mongering, and backstabbing can hurt other people just as much as punching them in the face.Gossip can still do damage even if you don't mean it in a malicious way.Mature people care about others and don't do things that could hurt them.Gossip won't make you popular or cool.Gossip can make you seem cool in fifth grade, but by ninth grade gossipers are seen as less likeable and less popular.Gossip is not encouraged either.Research shows that when one person says "Hey, I'm not cool with gossiping about other people" it can really make a difference.If you say nice things about someone, it can end up being translated as gossip by other people.You might have said to a friend, "I really like hanging out with Ziyi."Someone else told someone else that you said something mean.You don't have control over how other people respond to what you say.You can only control what you say and do.It's important that your words are kind.A good test to determine if something is gossip or rumor is to ask yourself, "Would I want other people to hear or know this about me?"Don't share the answer with others if it's no.
Step 8: If someone is unkind to you, be the bigger person.
If you can let it go, don't reply; your silence will show that what the person said was not okay.Tell the person that their comment was rude if you can't let it go.If there is no apology, just walk away.
Step 9: You should keep an open mind.
People who are mature are open minded.If you've never heard of or tried something, it doesn't mean you should dismiss it.It's an opportunity to learn about something new and different.Don't judge someone immediately if they have a different belief or habit than you do.Try to ask open questions, such as "Could you tell me more about this?" or "Why do you do that?"Don't interrupt people or say "But I think"You will be surprised by what you learn.Ask for clarification.If someone says something that doesn't seem right, ask for clarification.If you think someone insulted your beliefs, take a deep breath and say something like, "I heard you say..."Accept it if the other person says s/he didn't mean it that way.Don't expect the worst from people.Just like you, expect everyone else to be human.They may make mistakes, but they won't try to be mean.You will be more mature if you learn to accept people the same way they are.You will not agree with someone else.That is okay.It is part of being mature to agree to disagree.
Step 10: Have faith in yourself.
Even if others don't approve of your quirks, do not apologize for them.If you don't cause anyone harm, you should be able to express your individuality.People who are mature don't try to be something they are not.Developing hobbies and skills is a great way to build self-confidence.You will learn that you can accomplish whatever you want, and have a set of skills to share with others.It's a good idea to watch out for that inner critic.Think about whether you would say negative things to a friend.Why would you tear yourself down if you didn't do it to a friend?Try to change the negative thoughts into positive ones.You might think that you are a loser.I suck at math and I will never get any better.I can work hard, but I am not great at math.I will know I did my best even if I don't get an A.
Step 11: Be credible.
Being true to who you are is a mark of true maturity.You can have self-confidence if you act smart.A mature person doesn't have to make others feel bad about him or herself.Talk about things that interest you.It shows when you care about something.It can be tempting to deny negative thoughts about yourself.If you think that you really are worried about the test next week, your first reaction might be to pretend that nothing scares me.It is more mature to admit that you are vulnerable.There are times when you don't feel confident.That is normal.You should express your feelings clearly.Beating around the bush or being passive aggressive are not mature ways to deal with your feelings.Don't be afraid to say how you feel.Do what you think is right.Other people may mock you for it.You will know you have been true to yourself if you stick to your principles.You don't want their good opinion if people do not respect that.
Step 12: Accept responsibility for your own actions.
Accepting responsibility for your own words and actions is perhaps the most important part of becoming a more mature person.Remember that there are things that happen to you.Your words and actions have consequences for yourself and others, as you are an agent in your own life.When you make mistakes, own up.You can control what you do if you want.When things go wrong, accept responsibility.If you do poorly on an essay, don't blame the teacher.Think about what you did to get there.What can you do differently next time?Don't focus on whether something is fair.Things won't always be fair.You might deserve something that you don't get.People who are mature will not allow unfairness to affect their accomplishments.
Step 13: Control what you can.
Trying to control things that aren't yours can cause a lot of anxiety.There are things you can control, and it's important to be aware of those and to work on improving them.You can make your resume look better for the job.You can prepare for the interview.You can dress well for an interview.You can show up on time.You will have done everything you can if you don't get the job.You can be kind and respectful in relationships.It's possible to be yourself around the other person.You can tell him/her that you would like to have a relationship.You have control over these things.You can rest assured that you stayed true to yourself and gave yourself the best chance, even if things don't work out.
Step 14: Don't accept defeat.
It is easier to give up than to try again.Accept responsibility for your choices and choose to keep trying, no matter what.
Step 15: You can control your temper.
There is a way to tame anger.Minor things don't matter.Take 10 seconds to think about your response when you are upset.This will help you become a more mature communicator and keep you from regretting things.Do you know what's going on?What is the real problem here?Why are you upset?It is possible that you are mad about something that happened two days ago, but not about having to clean your room.Think of ways to solve the problem.Pick one of the ways you might react.What will be done to address what is happening?Consider the consequences.A lot of people may fail here."Doing what I want" is often the most attractive solution, but will it fix the problem?Will it make it worse?Think about the outcome of each option.Pick a solution.Pick the one that seems best for you after you consider the possible consequences.This will not be the easiest or the most fun.It is part of becoming more mature.If you have to say something, use a calm voice and give some reasonable arguments.Walk away from the conflict if the person just wants to argue.It isn't worth it.If you're about to overreact, take deep breaths and count to 10.You must not let your anger get the better of you.People enjoy provoking you if you have a temper.They will lose interest in making you angry when you control your temper.
Step 16: Understand assertive communication techniques.
assertive techniques and behaviors are used by adults when communicating maturely.cockiness, arrogance, and aggression are not the same as assertiveness.When others do the same, assertive individuals listen and express their own feelings.Arrogant and selfish individuals don't care about others' needs and are focused on getting what they want.You will feel more mature if you learn to stand up for yourself.Use "I"-statements to communicate assertively.Statements like "You" make other people feel blamed and shut them down.The way open for productive, mature communication is kept open by keeping the focus on what you are feeling and experiencing.If you say you feel like your perspective hasn't been heard, the other person is more likely to want to know why.It is necessary to recognize the needs of others as well.Life is not all about you.It is great to communicate your feelings and needs, but remember to ask others about theirs.Being able to put others first is a sign of maturity.Don't jump to conclusions.If you don't know what happened with someone, ask!Remember, you don't have all the information.If your friend forgot that you were supposed to go shopping together, don't assume that she is a terrible person.When you couldn't make it shopping, use an "I"-statement and follow it up with an invitation for her to express her feelings.Offer to work with others.Ask people what they would like to do instead of saying, "I want to go skateboarding."
Step 17: Don't swear constantly.
Many people and cultures have expectations for mature communicators.It can make others feel as though you are disrespecting them.It can cause others to think that you are bad at communicating.Try to expand your vocabulary.Use the new words to express yourself.If you frequently swear when you're upset or hurt yourself, make it a game to come up with creative exclamations instead.It is funnier and more impressive to say something like "Fudge monkeys!" instead of swearing.
Step 18: Do not raise your voice.
You are likely to make people uncomfortable if you raise your voice when you are angry.It is possible that they will decide to tune you out.Toddler Screaming is not the same as adult Screaming.Even when you are upset, use a calm voice.
Step 19: You should watch your body language.
Your body is able to say as much as you say.You can tell others that you are not interested in what they are saying by crossing your arms.You aren't really "there" or you want to be somewhere else if you stand slouched over.Make sure you know what your body is telling you.Instead of crossing your arms in front of you, hold them at your sides.Stand up straight with your chest out.Your face is communicating as well.Don't stare at the floor or roll your eyes.
Step 20: Talk about topics that are mature.
School, the news, life experiences, and life lessons are examples of mature topics.You can take some time to be goofy with your friends.It is all about considering your audience.It is not likely that you will talk about the same topics with your best friend.Ask questions.Intellectual curiosity is a sign of maturity.You won't seem mature if you only talk at someone.Ask other people for their input.If someone says something interesting, tell me more about it.It can be difficult to admit you don't know anything.You want to appear informed and mature.It would make you look foolish if you pretended to know something but didn't come out.It would be better to say, "I haven't read much about that."I will have to look into it.
Step 21: Say something nice.
Don't say anything if you cannot say something positive.Immature people criticize things and point out flaws, and they don't hesitate to insult other people.Sometimes, they say that they're just being honest.Remember to watch what you say and don't say things that hurt other's feelings because mature people choose their words carefully.You should treat people the way you want to be treated.
Step 22: It's a good idea to apologize sincerely for your mistakes.
No matter how conscientious you are, you're going to say the wrong thing or hurt people.We all do stupid things because nobody is perfect.Say "I'm sorry" if you want to swallow your pride.A genuine, honest apology is a sign of maturity.
Step 23: Tell the truth, but be compassionate.
It's difficult to master this skill, but thinking about whether you want someone to say something to you can help you figure it out."If you propose to speak, always ask yourself if it is necessary, is it kind, and so on."Your honesty and compassion will be appreciated by those around you.If a friend asks you if her dress makes her look fat, consider what would be most helpful.Offering an opinion on her looks is not likely to be helpful.If you tell your friend that you love her and she looks just the way she is, she could get the confidence boost she needs.If you think your friend's outfit is not attractive, there are tactful ways to say this."You know, I like the red dress better than this one, but it doesn't answer her question of whether she looks her best."Some types of dishonesty are said to be pro-social in that they help others avoid embarrassment or hurt.It is up to you to decide if this is something you want to do.Whatever you decide, be kind.
Step 24: Good manners are used when interacting with people.
Look into that person's eyes if you shake hands with a firm grip.If your culture has a different way to greet others, use that form in an appropriate and polite way.When you meet someone for the first time, try to remember their name by repeating it: "Nice to meet you, Wendy." Good manners communicate that you respect the other person, which is the behavior of a mature person.Listen carefully and keep eye contact.Don't look at the other person.The 50/70 rule says to make eye contact for 50% of the time when you are talking and 70% when the other person is talking.If you are fiddling with random objects, avoid it.It's a sign that you don't have confidence.Relax and keep your hands open.Don't think about where you want to be.When you don't care about an interaction, it will hurt their feelings.While you should be paying attention to the person in front of you, don't text or talk on your cell phone.This shows disrespect.When you enter a new community or situation, keep quiet for a while and notice how other people are acting.It's not your job to tell other people what to do.Don't watch and be respectful.
Step 25: Good online manners should be observed.
Good online manners show respect for your friends, family and other people that are hanging out with you.It is a sign of maturity.Keep in mind that a lot of what you say online can be seen by potential employers, teachers, and others, so don't say things that would hurt you.Don't use strong or offensive language.Don't use too many exclamation points.You don't have to be in person to clarify your point, so make sure not to overwhelm your audience.You can use your shift key.Instead of writing in all lower-case letters, capitalize proper nouns and the beginning of sentences.Don't use nonstandard cApitaliZaTion.It makes your writing hard to read.Don't use all capital letters.The internet is similar to shouting.It's not a good idea in daily emails and social media posts if you're posting about how your hockey team just won the championship.Salutations are used in "Dear John" when sending an email.If it is to someone you don't know well or a teacher, starting an email without one is rude.Proofread before sending an email or making a social media post to make sure you didn't make a mistake.Proper punctuation is added at the end of complete sentences.Go easy on abbreviations.It's okay to use these in a casual text to a friend, but not in an e-mail to your teacher, or in another situation where you want to look mature.Just like in real life, remember the golden rule online.If you want someone to be nice to you, do the same.Don't say anything unless you have something nice to say.
Step 26: Be helpful.
Help pick things up, hold doors, and offer assistance to anyone who needs it.Being a mentor to a younger student is one example of being helpful in your community.You are more likely to feel happy if you make others happy.It's a very mature behavior to serve others rather than yourself.Your self-esteem may be boosted by helpful acts.Studies show that when we help others, we get a sense of accomplishment and pride.Being helpful is not always a one-way street.Sometimes, when you help others, they don't say "Thank you" or offer to help in return.That is on them.Don't get anything from anyone else, you're being helpful for you.
Step 27: Don't try to be the center of attention all the time.
It shows disrespect and immaturity when you talk about yourself all the time instead of giving other people a chance to talk.It can make you seem more mature and less self-centered if you show a genuine interest in the interests and experiences of others.You can learn something new or develop a new respect for someone based on what you hear.
Step 28: Accept both praise and criticism.
Say "Thank you" and leave it at that.Say something like "Okay, I'll definitely think it over" if someone criticizes you.Handling the criticism politely makes you look mature in the moment.Don't take criticism personally.People may be trying to help but are not communicating well.You should ask for clarification if you think that is the case.Sometimes the criticism says more about the person giving it than it does about you.Remember that the other person may be trying to make him or herself feel better by tearing you down if the criticism seems unfair.They may be reacting that way because they don't like what they see in you.Accepting criticism is not a requirement to stand up for yourself.When someone hurts your feelings, tell them in a calm and polite way: "I'm sure you didn't mean it this way, but when you criticized my outfit it really hurt my feelings."Don't criticize yourself and make comments about my appearance next time.Work on it a little at a time if you notice something about yourself.If a change doesn't happen overnight, be patient.