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Step 1
Admit your wrong to the person you have upset or offended. Feel free to explain yourself, but do not make excuses for your behavior; accept responsibility for your actions and learn from your mistakes.
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Step 2
Express sincere regret for your words or actions that have hurt another. If you are not regretful for what you have done or feel as though you were falsely blamed, do not say you are sorry; insincere apologies do no one any good. Remember that some circumstances warrant condolences or a frank discussion, not an apology.
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Step 3
If possible, apologize face-to-face, not over the phone, by email, or with a greeting card. Apologizing in person shows sincerity and that you care enough to take time out of your schedule to make amends.
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Step 4
Simply saying "I was wrong" and "I regret what I did" is not the same thing as apologizing. A proper apology should include the word "sorry." You may also want to specifically ask for the person's forgiveness in your apology.
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Step 5
It is proper to make eye contact when offering an apology. Make sure that your body language reflects you regrets. If you look sincere, your apology is more likely to be taken seriously and met with forgiveness.
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Step 6
Make amends for the offense. Try to repair the damage, whether it is physical, financial, or emotional. For example, if you break someone's possession, it is proper to find an exact replacement for that item or offer them its value in cash. In cases of hurt feelings where no monetary value can be placed on the damage, a flower arrangement, fruit basket, or gift certificate to the person's favorite restaurant can serve as an effective token of apology.
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Step 7
Try to apologize and compensate the wronged person as soon as is reasonable. In some instances, the person you have offended may not be ready to listen to your apology right away. If this is the case, it is proper to give him or her a few days (or even weeks) to cool down before approaching them again with an apology. Likewise, if you are not in a clear frame of mind, it is best to wait until you are calm and rational before offering your apology.
