Summarize this article in one sentence.
Controlling your noise level is the biggest part of behaving. If you are having trouble maintaining an appropriate volume, stop and take a deep breath when you feel yourself getting louder. Collect your thoughts and convey what you want to say in a respectful and reserved manner. Pay attention to your noise level and you can better control it. Try to limit what you're saying to who you're saying it to. You rarely have to say something to an entire group. Know who you're talking to, and speak with a voice loud enough that they can hear you. Ask yourself if you really have to say something before you say it. If it's not necessary to the conversation, don't say it. Practice this technique regularly. Listen to how loud the people around you are. Match their sound level. If people are staring at you or reacting negatively, adjust your behavior. You should aim to fit in with whatever room you're in. Don't draw unnecessary attention to yourself. If you try to dominate a room, you'll usually end up rubbing people the wrong way. Make your goals specific and long-term. Psychology studies have shown that abstract, big-picture thinking leads to self-control. Instead of focusing on the moment, look toward bigger goals like success in school or sports. Focusing on the future will help you behave in the present. Being goal-oriented will teach you the art of self-denial. If you get the desire for a soda or to slack off and play video games, deny yourself. Start with small goals like denying yourself ice cream on weekdays. Move up to harder goals like making the starting basketball team. Stick with your goals and soon enough you'll be in total control of your thoughts and actions. Write down you goals and hang them up where you can see them regularly. Remind yourself of your goals regularly. Make behavioral goals too. Commit to behaving yourself in public and not having any unintended outbursts. Keep your goals positive. Get straight A's, keep practicing guitar until you're comfortable enough to play a gig, or exercise four times a week. Stick to your goals religiously. Make sure your goals are specific. Vague goals are much easier to forget about. When you are tempted to break a promise or a goal, take a deep breath and think about why you set the goal in the first place. That long term commitment is more important than your momentary impulse. Try setting up a punishment and reward system for yourself. If you go a week sticking to a strict diet, give yourself a "cheat day." Likewise, if you decide to skip a workout, make up for it by working out twice as long the next day. Practices like these will lead to control over your desires and actions. Make specific long-term goals with specific short-term ways to achieve them. Part 2 has more specific information on this, but generally speaking, be conscious of the rules in any social situation. Keep them in the back of your head. Whenever you start to break one, practice self control. Take a deep breath and remember that you have the strength and self-control to stop yourself. Make a mental list of the rules of any social situation. Take note of all the rules before you even say anything. If the rules are unclear, be passive and see how other people are acting. Aim to mimic their behavior. If the atmosphere is appropriate for lewd humor and loud talking, you would not be misbehaving by joining in. If the atmosphere is more professional, conduct yourself formally. If the atmosphere is relaxed, let go more but still watch your noise level. Calming techniques like deep breathing usually work best for self-control, but find what works best for you. Maybe if you're about to break a rule, you can snap your fingers or pinch yourself. Whatever it is, have a method to stop yourself when you get the urge to break a rule. Suit your words to the situation, and choose those words carefully. In most situations, cursing and loud bickering is inappropriate. Avoid pointless arguments and critical statements. Generally speaking, if you don't have something nice to say, don't say it. If you find yourself starting to say something mean or inappropriate, stop yourself before it's too late. If you can't stop yourself, be sure to apologize after. More relaxed or even crude language is sometimes appropriate if you're with close friends. Be sure you know the situation before you start talking though. Around coworkers, teachers, or bosses, be very careful with your language. Be humble and understanding, and never curse or start fights. Compliments and kind words are always appreciated. If you find yourself wanting to say something mean, write it down instead. Just don't let anybody see what you write! Don't interrupt people. Let them finish what they're saying before you speak. Think before you speak. Thoughtless words can get you into trouble. Get in the habit of asking yourself if you're sure you want to say something before you say it.

Summary:
Be mindful of your noise level at all times. Practice self-control in all aspects of your life by setting goals and sticking to them. Pay careful attention to rules and social norms, and restrain yourself when you get the urge to break them. Be careful with your language.