Question: Sometimes I have trouble getting along with other kids my age. I think that this is due to different personalities. How can I get along with different personalities?

Answer. All of us may desire a perfect world where everyone does exactly what we want, when we want and how we want it done. Of course, such a world is not possible, and, in fact, even if it were, it would be pretty boring! 

There comes a time when we must learn how to deal with a person we just “can’t stand.” The quicker we learn to be sociable with people different from ourselves, the smoother our lives will be. Cooperating with all different kinds of personalities actually enriches our lives.

To get along with someone you dislike will require some honest self-examination. Most often the problem is inside of us—not the other person. If you tend to be self-centered and don’t have a realistic picture of your own quirks and weaknesses, it will be easy for you to be intolerant of someone else’s faults. If you are insecure, you may actually look for things to criticize in another person to make yourself feel better.

Ask yourself: What is it about that other person that bugs me so much? You may discover that the individual’s behavior is a threat to something you want. In other words, we are often motivated by our own selfish desires. For example, does another person always telling jokes bug us? If it does, it could be because this takes the attention away from us!

The truth is, those who get along well with all kinds of people are generally giving people. They are not out to get something for themselves. They live to give! That is really the key to getting along with all types. Learn to give of yourself to those people you can’t stand. It may always take effort, but in time you will find yourself getting along quite well with people different than yourself.