How do you be less self-centered and what makes a person self-centered?

Answer 1

Other answers have explained how self-ceneterd can be interpreted as selfish, and how selfishness can be addressed.

Here is another facet. Self-cenetered doesn't necessarily mean neglecting others. It just means thinking about themselves too much. Self-centered people tend to get depressed or think that everything is their fault. Because they think about themselves a lot they keep finding faults in themselves. They try to carry entire world on their shoulders. Well, they need to realize not everything is their fault.

Self-centered people might approach every problem as their problem. They might have trouble delegating tasks and trusting that other people can do it well. They feel they are the only ones in the universe. Learn to trust other people. They are just as capable as you are.

Some self-centered people become very shy because they feel that everyone in the room is looking at them and scrutinizing them all the time. No, believe me, people are preoccupied with their own wonderful selves a lot more than with the details of your speech or clothes. Relax. They don't really care.

It is not true that self centered people don't have friends or will lose them all. Self-centered person is quite capable of thinking of others and still can be a good friend. It's just they look inside themselves too much.

Answer 2

This should not be in the diet and fitness category. Their problem is more of a mental health issue. People are self centered because they were not taught by their parent(s) that we must often take into consideration those around us.

They lack the social skills we learned in childhood. It has been my experience that these people will not change until they have no friends and few in their family want anything to do with them.

That's the point where that person will look inwards - at himself - and realize what's wrong. Often though, it's too late.

Answer 3

A person, in my opinion, becomes self-centered by having a life style that in conducive to only having to think about oneself. Some people enter adulthood that way if they were indulged as children. But, I think all people are susceptible to it if they have no purpose other than to live for themselves only.

It's when you look beyond yourself that your focus shifts so that you start thinking about and putting others first. Open yourself up to see the real need in the world around you. We all have a tendency not to look at the need that exists because we're too busy with us and our lives. Visit a children's hospital. Hook up with the Red -Cross. Join a literacy program. Look into Big Brothers and Big Sisters. Anything like this will help you to see beyond yourself and if you get inspired, you just might find something to focus on other than yourself.

Answer 4

Keep reminding yourself, in every situation, "It's not about ME!"

Then think about the other people and their needs, and try to cater to them.

Self-centered people turn every situation around to make it about them. Less self-centered people are focused on others. It's a balance, I guess.

Answer 5

Interesting question, thanks for making me think about it. I'm beginning to think that there are more than a few ways for people to appear "self-centered". Some of us are just shy, insecure about bringing others into our personal orbit for fear of being made fun of (re: Me!) Others simply lack the empathy gene, and I have a theory that it stems from some form of Autism Spectrum Disorder.