As children, you are constantly taught about good and bad behaviours. While we go though many changes as we grow, there are certain habits that remain in our personality without us knowing about it. There are many bad behavioural habits, but some of them are lying, backbiting, shouting, disrespect, defiance, anger, mocking, cheating, bullying, etc.

If you don’t pay attention to these now, chances are you may lose a lot of good friends from your life. Let’s find out how you can change your bad behaviour into good!

Lying

Sometimes out of fear of punishment and embarrassment, some of you may prefer to give answer completely opposite of the actual situation. This is not only wrong ethically, but morally as well.

Lies can have serious impact on your and others’ lives. By lying, you are actually undermining the trust of others. You may think that telling a lie solves your problem quickly, but remember friends, maintaining a lie can be stressful and lead to long-lasting problems in your personal life.

If you accept that you lie often, then it’s time to bring a change, just forget about the benefit a lie gives to you. Think of one situation where you are most likely to tell a lie, then focus on changing that one behaviour. For example, if you boast about your life with your friends, which is not the reality, consider being honest and telling the truth. If, for some reason you can’t tell the truth, then say nothing. Staying silent is better than lying about your life in order to boast.

Backbiting

We all are fallen into the trap of gossiping. Especially if something triggers us and we find it hard to forget, we find ways to talk about it or that person behind their back.

We are all humans and make mistakes ,but it is our utmost duty to correct our behaviour as soon as we realise them. We may not be doing it knowingly, but if we are talking behind someone’s back, and that also bad, then it is backbiting.

For instance, when you feel the urge to talk unpleasant and unkind things behind the back of a friend, to your close friend, just stop right there. Remind yourself that it is not your problem if someone is doing good and bad in their lives. It is always better to mind your own business and don’t talk about it.

Mocking and making fun of people

This behaviour is a form of disrespect. Some kids don’t even realise that they are making fun or are mocking others, they think they are being funny. But there is big difference between being funny and making fun of others. The former is spreading the humour, while the later is a form of insult.

Of course, no sane person would ever want to hurt others. So how do you reckon if you are mocking someone and not cracking a joke? First, notice the facial expression, if you realise that the person you were joking about has gone pale, it means you have said something unpleasant. So stop right there and rephrase your sentence, correct and explain. Secondly, my personal opinion would be if you are not sure about how your joke will be taken by others, remain silent.

Kids, it is necessary that you should evaluate your behaviour in your youth when you are just forming your habits, and make changes as soon as you can. You will not know how much your words and actions hurt others until it is too late.

Published in Dawn, Young World, November 26th, 2022