6 Ways To Stop Caring What Other People Think
What other people think ……
Isn’t that the one thing we tend to think of first…what are other people going to think about me? If we let it, that one thought will steer the entire course of our lives.
"What will they think if I speak up, what will they think if I post this, what will they think if I start selling this product or start my own business, what will they think about this relationship, and ultimately...what will they think if they knew the “truth” about me."
It's the biggest reason we do or don't do many things...because of what other people might think. Some of us don't record ourselves because of what other people may think. But some of us are consumed taking selfies all day because we care about what other people think! “What other people think” can drive every decision, every choice, every action, every relationship and steer the entire course of your life. And it’s not even “their” life!!
What other people think. Sounds absurd doesn’t it?
Why is “what other people think” so important to us? When the truth is….. other people’s thoughts are none of your business! And honestly, they’re likely not thinking of you anyway, because they’re thinking about themselves and what others think about them!!
If you google this topic – no one gives you really great advice because they don’t teach you the WHY of this concern. In my years of business and training I’ve discovered some ways that all of our brains are wired that is fascinating! Well, it fascinates me. Obviously, I’m writing about it but I hope it is helpful to you too.
Here's the WHY....of worrying what others think:
Your brain is wired for safety at all cost.
It will do anything to make sure you are nowhere near danger. In caveman days that came in handy, but the instinct today isn’t as necessary for most of us. No lions and tigers and bears out the front door.
So, it will avoid what could threaten your social acceptance
Your brain doesn’t know the difference between physical danger and the possibility that someone might judge the shoes you’re wearing, It will view social acceptance the same as an intruder with a gun. With that in mind, what other people think starts to become really important.
Our brain can just work against us sometimes.
It's the basis of self-sabotage. Come to think of it, it's also the birthplace of bad hair days!
That is unless we know how it’s wired and we do a mindset hack to stop it!
So here are my TOP 6 ways to forever get rid of "What other people think" syndrome:
1. Take a break from social media.
A total fast isn’t necessary but how about limiting your interaction. Shut off the notifications and limit yourself to a couple times of check-in a day. It’s a ton of fun staying in touch with friends and family, I agree, but wow, talk about a perfect trap to get wrapped up in the self-absorption and psychotic mess of other people! If you work on facebook, try Chrome's Newsfeed Eradicator. It limits you from seeing your newsfeed while working on one device and then you can allow yourself check-in time on another device. We become concerned about what others think because we've allowed social acceptance to become more important than self-acceptance.
Taking a break from social media is the first step to stopping the madness by stopping the i