We all see and hear about extraordinary people around us and wonder why can’t we be more like them? Sometimes we chuck that notion as absurd and unachievable. I would say not so fast. It’s not the big things that make someone extraordinary. It’s the small things.

我们都看到或听说过身边那些优秀的人，并在想为什么自己不能和他们一样?有时我们觉得这种想法很荒谬，根本无法实现。我觉得不一定。人并不是因为大事而优秀，而是因为小事才变得卓越。

Things that over a period of time have the power to radically change your life. They become extraordinary by making a difference in someone’s life. Here are some of the things extraordinary people do every day:

发生在一段时间内的事情可以从根本上改变你的生活。优秀的人通过让他人的生活有所不同而变得卓越。下面的几件事是非凡的人每天都会做的。

1. They are open to criticism

他们乐于接受批评

Just because you’re the boss, doesn’t mean you are right every time. It doesn’t mean you have the best ideas. Learn to back up your ideas or decisions with reason. Use logic to explain things, not authority. By doing this your decisions might invite criticism, but you will also get an opportunity to improve.

你是老板，但这不表示你每次都对，不表示你的想法最好。学着用理性来支持你的想法或决定。运用逻辑来解释事情 ，而不是运用权威。这样的话你的决策可能会引发批评，但是你却得到了提高的机会。

2. They admit their mistakes

他们都承认错误

My friend’s boss made a huge mistake by tying up with an event management company. The whole purpose of the tie-up was to promote his company but it failed miserably. Instead of defending his idea and carrying on as if nothing happened, he apologised to the team for not including them in the decision making. It’s OK to admit you were wrong. You will not only gain the respect of your team mates, you will also gain credibility.

我朋友的老板犯了个大错，他把公司和一个活动管理公司合并了，本来合并是为了提升他的公司，谁知道最后竟是悲惨的结局。他没有为自己的想法辩护，没装作什么也没有发生，而是因自己在做决策时没有考虑到团队的意见而向他们道歉。承认自己做错了没什么大不了。你不仅会获得团队成员的尊敬，而且也会赢得信誉。

3. They are generous with compliments

他们毫不吝啬赞美之词

Remember the time, say in school or at work when you worked really hard but got nothing in return. Not even a thank you. It hurts when your efforts are not recognized. So every chance you get to praise someone, do it. A simple, “That was some great work, keep it up,” can go a long way in making the employee feel great about them self. A compliment can have a positive impact on their lives. Your team/family will love you for it.

还记得你认真学习或努力工作而没有任何回报的时候吧，有时连句“谢谢”都没有。可你的努力不被承认时你会受到打击。所以，当你有机会赞扬他人时，一定要赞扬。一句简单的赞美之词，如“做得真好，继续努力，”会让雇员在很长时间内都会感觉良好。赞美能对他们的生活产生积极的影响。你的团队/家庭也喜欢你这样做。

4. They are sensitive to others

他们对他人都很敏感

Think about a time you complimented someone and the recipient changed the topic? Maybe he or she was uncomfortable. But you still were not amused were you? Similarly, when you feel awkward receiving a compliment or an award, remain in control and give the person in front of you a genuine smile and thank him or her. Don’t make the moment sour by acting on your insecurities.

想一想，有没有这样的时候?你正赞美对方而对方却改变了话题?也许你的赞美令他/她感觉不舒服。但是你会觉得不痛快，对吧?同样地，当你收到赞美之词或奖品时，如果感到尴尬，可以克制自己，给你面前的人报以真正的微笑并谢谢他/她。不要因为不安全感而让那一刻变得不愉快。

5. They ask for help

他们寻求帮助

When you need help, don’t be arrogant or shy and stop yourself. If you’re lost on the road, it is fine to ask for directions. Everyone needs a little help sometime. When you ask for help, you receive help. By doing so, you’re letting people know you’re no superhuman, that you’re willing to listen, you also need support at times…which only show you could become a great leader someday.

当你需要帮助时，不要因为自大或害羞而不去向他人求助。如果你迷路了，就去问问别人怎么走。每个人都会在某一时刻需要帮助。当你寻求帮助时，会有人帮助你。这样做，你会让人知道你不是超人，你愿意倾听，你有时也需要别人的支持……这表明有一天你也可能成为伟大的领导。

6. They apologize when needed

他们该道歉的时候就道歉

We all make mistakes, but what makes a person big is when he is ready to apologize. Don’t try to hide behind excuses: “I didn’t mean to say it, it just happened.” “I was irritated with such and such person so…” No. Don’t try to shift blame. Just come right out and say you’re sorry.

我们都会犯错，但优秀的人勇于道歉。不要试图找借口：“我不是这个意思。”“我被这样的人激怒了……”不要这样。不要试图推卸责任。直接说你错了。

7. They are willing to learn

他们乐于学习

When you don’t understand how something works, let an expert show you. When you let someone teach you something, you are telling the person that you respect their talent, time and that you believe he knows what he is talking about. That you respect their experience. Always be willing to learn, because there is no way in hell to know everything.

当你不清楚事物的原理时，让专家给你解释。当你让别人教你东西时，你是在告诉别人你尊敬他的天赋、时间，你相信他的话。你佩服他们的经验。永远要乐于学习，因为这是认识世间万物的唯一途径。

8. They are helpful

他们乐于助人

Never hesitate to help someone. It’s fairly simple but it goes a long way. Don’t be non-committal and say something vague like, “Can I help you?” because they might just say, “No, I’m good.” The key is to not sound patronizing. Be specific. “I had the same problem with this coffee machine in the morning. I think I have figured a way to make it work.” Offer in a way that feels mutually beneficial.

能助人时且助人。说起来容易做起来难。不要害怕承诺并说一些模糊的话，“需要我的帮忙吗?”因为别人可能以为你只是说说，“不，我很好。”并要注意不要以恩人自居。要具体一点.” 早晨我也碰到这个咖啡机出现过同样的问题。我觉得我想到了一个办法能把它修好。”用一种互惠互利的方式去帮助他人。

9. They are expressive

他们愿意表达自己

They are not bottled up. They feel something they verbalize it. Then be it pulling someone for not working hard or congratulating someone on their wonderful performance. This behaviour is not only restricted to work, but is applied to every aspect of their life.

他们不把话憋在肚子里。他们把感觉用语言表达出来。有人不努力工作就督促他，有人做得很好就祝贺他。这种方式不仅限于工作，而且适用于生活的方方面面。

10. They’re in charge of their emotions

他们能控制情感

Sometimes it is very important to stay mum. Especially when you’re angry or irritated or bitter, you don’t want to end up saying things you didn’t really mean to. So they take their time, they process their emotions, thin back to what happened, and then come to a decision about how to tackle it. Before you say anything, consider other’s feelings. Never be rash with words or actions.

有时保持沉默是非常重要的。尤其是当你生气、被激怒或很痛苦时。你不想说一些让别人误会的话。优秀的人很从容，他们能控制自己的情感，想想发生过的事情，然后决定如何处理。在说话之前，考虑他人的感受。不要轻率说话或行动。