Connect with us

Success Advice

The Inherent Goodness Of People

Published

on

People are inherently good.

If you asked me what has changed the way I interact with everyone I meet, it’s this belief. Think about what your first reaction is when you meet someone for the first time. Do you assume they’re good?

The sad reality is I don’t think we do. We treat new people as suspects, potential terrorists, or maybe as being dumber than ourselves. We think this way out of fear. I believe we think this way because we lack the belief that people are inherently good by nature.

What if we turned this idea on its head?

That’s what I want to challenge you to do in this blog post.

It’s that very basic idea that could change the world. We have to think big as I always say.

People want to do the right thing

When a bomb goes off in a public place and a terrorist plants it, that terrorist believes he’s doing the right thing. He might be serving a leader of a group, following his religion, or trying to fight for his country, but he is inherently trying to do the right thing.

While planting a bomb and killing innocent people is a very bad idea, he’s trying to do the right thing.

“Deep down, this terrorist has it within him to be good. We’re all good by our very nature”

Sometimes we go off track

We’re inherently good although sometimes the sad fact is that we go off track. We may have spent an entire decade serving people and going to our “safe job” and then one day wake up and commit a horrible act. That one horrible act shouldn’t outweigh everything we’ve done in the past.

“Because we are inherently good, we must use forgiveness as our default response”

When we see people as inherently good, and we understand that no one is perfect and that people mess up, we have perspective on the way they’ve acted. Have you ever done something that was dead wrong? Of course you have and I still believe you are good at your core. You should feel the same.

Seeing the good in others helps you flip your perspective 360 degrees

I’ve practiced seeing the good in others for the last five years. No matter what, I try and see people for their good side. It’s challenging to do at times, but it’s changed my perspective. When you see the good in others, you start to see the good in yourself.

You treat people differently. You start conversations from a positive place. You find yourself judging others less.

“Seeing the good creates more good in the world. What you see is what shows up in your life”

Being kind feels good

Seeing the goodness in people is a very kind thing to do. When we’re kind, research shows us that we feel good and are more positive. This goodness, combined with kindness, then creates a positive cycle.

We’ve all done something for a stranger that was inherently good. I know when I volunteer at the homeless shelter, the feeling I get is one of the best I’ve ever experienced. I sometimes wonder whether the reason we’re rewarded when we see the good in others is because that’s what keeps the universe going. Goodness is what stops us from nuking each other’s countries and wiping out the human race.

To keep evil from taking over, we must continue to see the goodness that exists all around us.

***Take action and start seeing the GOOD***

From this moment on, I want you to do a bit of an experiment. I want you to commit to always seeing the good in others. Even if you’re not sure, believe that someone is good before thinking any other thought.

This can be hard to do when I’m sure, like me, you’ve had people do the wrong thing by you. You’ve had people steal, lie and cheat you, over and over again. The thing is, this is not the norm. Out of the thousands of experiences you have in life, people doing the wrong thing by you and being so-called “evil” is not common.

Don’t let a few bad experiences stop you from believing that people are inherently good. We’re biologically wired to love one another and to unite when tragedy strikes.

Whether you believe people are inherently good or not, will determine how life treats you.

If you want to increase your productivity and learn some more valuable life hacks, then join my private mailing list on timdenning.net

Advertisement
Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Success Advice

How “I Have a Dream” Became the Most Powerful Speech in History

It’s a blueprint for how to speak truth with clarity, conviction, and compassion

Published

on

I Have a Dream by Martin Luther King Jr.
Image Credit: Midjourney

On August 28, 1963, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. stood on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C., and delivered what would become one of the most powerful speeches in history, “I Have a Dream.” (more…)

Continue Reading

Change Your Mindset

How Top CEOs Solve Problems Differently To The Rest

To steer their organizations toward sustainable success, strategists and senior leaders must first become exceptional problem solvers

Published

on

Leadership mindset for problem solving
Image Credit: Midjourney

In today’s volatile, uncertain, complex, and ambiguous (VUCA) world, challenges are not just inevitable, they are essential. For global organizations, challenges push leaders to unlock creativity, develop resilience, and pursue excellence. (more…)

Continue Reading

Success Advice

The Real Reason Your Personal Brand Isn’t Working

When your brand is rooted in intention, it becomes compelling.

Published

on

personal branding strategy
Image Credit: Midjourney

Your brand isn’t a logo. It’s the lived expression of who you are, what you value, and the legacy you’re building. (more…)

Continue Reading

Success Advice

25 Leadership Lessons That Will Make You a Smarter, Stronger Leader

It blends emotional intelligence with strategic thinking, people skills with performance metrics, and empathy with execution.

Published

on

smart leadership skills
Image Credit: Midjourney

Leadership is not just a role; it’s a continuous journey of growth, reflection, and service. While personal experience shapes much of that journey, the wisest leaders learn from the triumphs and missteps of those who walked before them. (more…)

Continue Reading

Trending