It is common notion that with age comes maturity. Given that the older you get, the more you would have experienced and learnt from. While that may be true in some cases, it cannot be generalized. Simply because some learn from experience, but there also some others that don’t, but would still argue to be mature solely due to their age.
Therefore, it is safe to say that maturity is more than just a number. Here are 5 signs of maturity.
1. Long term benefits > Instant gratification
Many individuals, of no specific age category tend to choose instant gratification over long term benefits due to the inability to delay gratification.
Mature individuals in any given situation will choose long term benefits over instant gratification. Because they are aware that instant gratification is momentary. Whereas, long term benefits, despite being a long way down the road could be a better decision to make.
“The greatest day in your life and mine is when we take total responsibility for our attitudes. That’s the day we truly grow up.” ―
2. Open and accepting of differences
A key point of maturity is the ability to discern the very fact that everyone is entitled to their opinions and maintain an open mind, at the same time accept the difference.
People have differences in beliefs, ideas and/or opinions. But some tend to dictate their opinions unto others. They cannot accept when their opinions/believes/ideas are dismissed.
While healthy debates may be fine, some tend to be judgmental and go as far as belittling or getting angry.
Related: 10 Things You Should Stop Doing If You Don’t Want to Be Like Most People
“Do any men grow up or do they only come of age?” ― Stephen King, The Gunslinger
3. Owns up to mistakes
John C. Maxwell once said that “The greatest day in your life and mine is when we take total responsibility for our attitudes. That’s the day we truly grow up.”
In terms of attitude and actions, immature individuals are very fond of shifting blames. This is due to the inability to accept that they could be wrong or may have made a mistake, therefore having to assume responsibility for it. On the contrary, mature individuals will be quick to admit when they have made a mistake and would take responsibility for them.
“Maturity is when your world opens up and you realize that you are not the center of it.” ―
4. Willingness to learn
Mature individuals are aware that they do not possess all the knowledge required hence are open to learning.
They know that there is no loss in admitting that you do not know something. Because it is after all better than to pretend you know it just for the sake of preserving your ego. Knowledge knows no bounds and there is always room to learn.
Immature individuals on the other hand often assume they do not have to learn anymore because they know everything. Either that or they will not admit they do not know something.
Related: 6 Ways To Become More Knowledgeable
5. Rational judgement > Emotional decisions
Mature individuals tend to pass rational judgments based on pre-existing values or principles, while considering alternatives to a situation.
They do not make emotional decisions. Not to say that emotional decisions are not bad entirely, but emotions are usually momentary and can be swayed.
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