It’s the bee that can keep on buzzing in your head – what do people really think of you? Are they on your side? Are they just smiling because they don’t want to say anything? And if they did say something, should you really be so affected?
There are many good reasons why you should just ignore what other people say about you. Here are some of the best ways to get this whole thing out of your system.
Do not make your personality a reaction
If anything, your personality should be a culmination, a positive development of all the things that you strive for. Your character traits, at best, should be those that will help you reach your goals. Yes, some of your personality may not be pleasant, but if it is necessary to have some teeth so that you can succeed in life
at what you want to do, then by all means, be a little tougher.
If you keep on trying to rebel or conform to what others think of you, or think you should do, you are doing yourself a great disservice. Of course, you should listen, but listening and doing something about what you’ve heard are very different things. You should make yourself more discerning, and you will find out
that not everything you hear about yourself is true.
Do not be a mannequin for other people
One of the worst things that can happen to you is that you become a mannequin for other people. Don’t let other people’s expectations shape you. Whereas a reaction would mean that you yourself are making changes, when you are a mannequin, which means that you are just passively adapting to how you would like others to see you. Remember the Stepford Wives thing? That’s how it can go.
If you think that not many people do this, then think again. How many people have gone into jobs because that was what was expected of them, or because the money was good? Eventually, they become bored with the situation, and they end up hating the job that they took because others told them to.
Don’t fall into the same mistake. Again, listen to what people are really saying, and listen to what your own heart is telling you.
Don’t stoop down to their level
If you’ve already figured out that some people want you
to be a certain way, the worst thing that you can do is to go down to their level and fight them. The easiest and least stressful method is to simply ignore them, and do what you think is best for you (after a lot of thought and advice from trusted friends). And you should be careful of doing it to other people.
So, the next time you feel like you have to react to what other people are thinking or saying about you, don’t. You don’t owe them anything, and if it becomes obvious that you are affected by them, the more they will use this tactic on you.
