Are there any steps to prevent you from being selfish?

Answer 1

The fact that you are asking this question is a good
first step. Many people are self involved and burden
others with their preoccupation with themselves, be it
self deprication, self pitying or any action that
doesn't consider others yet effects them. Being
completely selfless depletes your self worth and
eventually would not serve anyone either. Simply
treating others with the same kindness as you would
have them treat you is enough to prevent you from
being selfish. But this requires being completely
honest with yourself. It sounds like perhaps you have
some guilt about being selfish and you are trying to
correct this. but guilt is in itself a selfish
preoccupation as it does not directly address your
responsibility to make amends, but rather focusses on
you again.

In all major airlines they say to put on your oxygen
mask before helping someone else with theirs because
you can't help others if you can't help yourself. So
don't give away everything you own. Selflessness is
not the opposite of selfishness.

Answer 2

Selfishness is a natural human emotion. It can, however, prevent you from being the best person you can be...and can prevent you from having normal, healthy relationships with those around you...

A truly selfish person dedicates all their time, money, attention and thoughts to themselves. So to ensure you do not become selfish, you should establish a plan whereby you dedicate some of those things to others...either individuals or organizations. Volunteer some of your time, donate some of your money, think about how you can make the lives of others better with your talents. In giving, you will receive tenfold...

Answer 3

Selfishness reinforces separation. Sartre once described the nausea one feels when confronted with what appears to be another and the subsequent alienation of separation. The goal of humanity should be to eliminate separation (i.e., selfishness) in recognition of the unity of all existence.

The only way to prevent selfishness is to eliminate desires (admittedly, not an easy task for most human beings and extremely difficult for those living in capitalist economic systems). Perhaps the best way to achieve this is to distinguish between "wants" and "needs." Eliminate "wants" and focus on "needs," not just your needs but the needs of everyone and everything else. Once "needs" are fulfilled, then humanity can entertain it's "wants."

Answer 4

About a thousand of them seabreeze. Too many to recount here but if I were able to give you one good step to start you on your way? I would say. Stop thinking about yourself, and start doing things for everyone around you. A second step would be to try to understand this~~ " you don't own a damn thing in your life, you only posses whatever the legal system allows while you are alive".~~ Think on the second step before you go the next nine hundred and ninety eight steps.
Think hard on the both of them, and the others will naturally follow like a puppy after the milk teat dangling on the doggies belly.

Answer 5

Nothing wrong with been selfish. You need to do things just for you otherwise you would go insane. Not saying helping others and sharing isn't okay but few of us are really cut out to be totally selfless.

Answer 6

Try thinking of others first in all that you do. Rather than only thinking of what you want or need, try to look at others and ask them for their opinions or desires. It's really not that hard, just put yourself in others shoes every now and then and that should help you change.

Answer 7

not really being a bit selfish is healthy as the basic human instinct is to survive