You ever wake up in the morning, look in the mirror, and just sigh? Not because of the bags under your eyes—although, let’s be honest, those aren’t helping—but because you realize today is another opportunity to get it right. Another chance to bring your best self to the world, to be a good human.

But what does that even mean? We live in a time when people get road rage in the Whole Foods parking lot over who gets the closer spot—while shopping for organic kale, no less.

How to Be a Good Human

So how do you harness your potential and actually become the best version of yourself? How do you avoid the dark abyss of negativity, where everyone is either whining, criticizing, or picking fights over which way the toilet paper roll should go?

I'll tell you how. You make a choice. And that choice?

Be. A. Good. Human.

Because, let me tell you, it’s way easier than being a knucklehead.

Step 1: Bring Your Own Sunshine

Look, life is not going to roll out the red carpet for you. You’re not a celebrity getting off a private jet. You’re a regular person with real responsibilities.

Some days, the world feels like a dumpster fire. Your co-worker is impossible, the guy in front of you at Starbucks is taking forever to order his double-cream latte, and your neighbor’s dog always barks at midnight.

You can let all that stuff ruin your day, or you can bring your own sunshine. How?

• Smile at people (even when they look at you like you’ve got three heads).
• Hold the door open (especially when someone’s running to catch it).
• Say "thank you" more than necessary.

A little positivity goes a long way, and—bonus—when you put it out there, it boomerangs right back to you.

Step 2: Get Some Sleep (Seriously, Stop Scrolling In Bed)

What's the most underrated life skill? Getting a good night’s sleep.

I tell my kids all the time: "You have two jobs in life: First is to have manners. Second, get a good night's sleep."

They roll their eyes. I don’t care. Because I know what happens when they don’t sleep well: They turn into grumpy gremlins who argue about everything.

Sound familiar? Adults aren’t much different.

Yet, grown folks self-sabotage all the time:

• Doom-scrolling social media like we’re studying for a final exam on nonsense.
• Binge-watching TV because, obviously, the next episode is the most important thing in the world.
• Drinking caffeine at 7 p.m. (looking at you, late-night espresso drinkers).

Fix it. Sleep like it’s your job. You’ll be a nicer person. Guaranteed.

Step 3: Don't Engage With Knuckleheads (Just Let Them Pass You on the Highway)

We’ve all been there. You’re driving the speed limit—being a good, law-abiding citizen—and some maniac is on your bumper like they’re trying to push you off the road.

Now, the college-aged version of me? I’d get defensive. Squeeze the wheel and grit my teeth. Stare at them in the rearview mirror like, “Yeah, buddy? What now?”

But listen—that’s how you get into a road rage incident on the 6 o’clock news.

Nowadays, I let them pass. And you should too.

Why? Because you have bigger things to worry about than some impatient lunatic who thinks their Nissan Altima is a Formula 1 car.

Same goes for the office jerk, the rude customer at the grocery store, or the social media troll. Do not engage.

Why waste your energy? Be the bigger person. Save your time and your sanity.

Step 4: Get Your Perspective Right

Want a game-changer? Shift your perspective.

There are moments in life that stop you in your tracks. Maybe it’s a friend getting sick. Maybe it’s losing someone you love. These things shake us, remind us that life is short, and that our daily nonsense doesn’t matter.

But then what do we do? We go right back to freaking out about the Wi-Fi being slow.

Stop. Control what you can control. Appreciate what you have.

And if you’re looking for something that actually matters, here’s an idea: Support families fighting childhood cancer.

If that sounds like something you’d do, donate to the Pediatric Cancer Foundation of the Lehigh Valley. Do something that actually makes a difference.

Step 5: Take Responsibility (Because No One Else Is Gonna Do It for You)

Look, we all have that one friend who blames everything on someone else. Their job sucks? “My boss is out to get me.” They’re out of shape? “The gym is too expensive.”

No. Enough with the excuses.

You control your actions. You control your choices.

Take responsibility for yourself.

• Want to lose weight? Stop saying, “I just don’t have time.” Make time.
• Want a better career? Stop blaming your boss and start putting in the work.
• Want stronger relationships? Stop complaining about other people and start being present.

It’s not easy. But neither is being miserable forever.

Step 6: Change Your Self-Image (Because You Become What You Believe)

Ever notice how some people just have their act together? They always look fit, confident, and like they just stepped out of a motivational poster.

That’s not luck. That’s self-image.

Dr. Maxwell Maltz, in his book Psycho-Cybernetics, says that your self-image controls everything. If you see yourself as overweight and out of shape, guess what? You’ll stay overweight and out of shape.

But if you change how you see yourself, everything else follows.

Try this:

1. Visualize your future self.

   • Picture yourself healthier, stronger, and more confident.
   • Imagine how you feel in that version of yourself.

2. Reject negative thoughts.

   • When you hear that little voice saying, “I can’t,” tell it to shut up.
   • Dismiss negativity before it takes root.

3. Be nostalgic for the future.

   • Instead of saying, “I wish I was fit like I was in college,” say, “I can’t wait to be stronger than ever.”

4. Redefine who you are.

   • “I’m the kind of person who takes care of myself.”
   • “I’m the kind of person who doesn’t make excuses.”
   • “I’m the kind of person who gets stuff done.”

It’s simple. Not easy—but simple.

Step 7: Be a Good Human. Period.

If you take one thing from this, let it be this: The world needs more good humans.

You don’t have to donate millions or cure disease. You just have to be decent.

Try this:

• Buy dinner for a family in need.
• Donate socks to a homeless shelter (they need them the most).
• Mentor someone who needs guidance.
• Pray for someone, if that’s your thing.
• Compliment a stranger.

In other words, don’t be a knucklehead.

Because, at the end of the day, all the noise, all the distractions, all the nonsense—it doesn’t matter.

What matters is this: Did you leave the world better than you found it?

Your move.

To your success,

Coach Joe

Joseph Arangio helps 40+ men and women get leaner, stronger, and happier. He's delivered over 100,000 transformation programs to satisfied clients around the globe. If you want to lose weight from home, with the best online longevity personal trainer, or you want to visit the best age-management personal trainer in the Lehigh Valley, you can take a free 14-day trial.