It’s easy to be tough, angry, sensitive, and mercurial—just move in whatever directions your emotions dictate, and selfishly disregard the consequences of your actions. Loved ones, relationships, and societal pressures (hopefully) teach us to bring these characteristics under control as we get older.

An even greater goal would be learning how to incorporate generosity, thoughtfulness, courage, kindness, and empathy into who we are. Becoming less awful would probably appreciated by our coworkers, but enriching the lives of those around us is far more rewarding.