It is hard not to spend some of your time focusing on what people think about you. But you need to make sure that these thoughts are fleeting ones and that they don’t start to consume you. If you make all of your decisions based on what other people might think of you, then you will begin to lose who you truly are.
This can be a hard habit to shake. So we have put together our top 7 tips to help you stop worrying about what other people think.
1: Remember People Aren’t That Interested
A lot of the time, you are worrying about nothing. People just aren’t that interested in what you are doing. They are wrapped up in their own lives instead. Consider how much time you spend thinking about other people. Not what other people think of you, but thinking about the people themselves. Chances are, it isn’t very much.
2: Change Your Interpretation
You are in control of your feelings and emotions. No one can make you feel something if you don’t want to. So, turn negativity on its head by changing how you interpret a situation and people’s behaviour. It doesn’t have to be negative if you can put a positive spin on it.
3: Meet More People
It takes all sorts to make the world go round, so every person is different. By expanding your social circle you will be exposed to more personality types and viewpoints. But even though you will get to hear lots of new opinions, remember that the only opinion about you that matters is your own.
4: Make Others Feel Comfortable
Just because someone is projecting an aura of confidence doesn’t mean that is how they truly feel. How do you know that they aren’t as nervous as you are? If you can nurture their confidence then you turn the focus away from your own thoughts and fears. Think about ways that you can make their life easier and you may find you worry less.
5: Focus On Your Thoughts
Just like no one can tell you what to feel, you can’t change the way that others feel. So instead of constantly worrying about their opinions, focus your energy inwards on your own opinions. Trying to affect the way that other people think is simply wasted energy.
6: Stop Trying To Please Everyone
The fact of the matter is, you will come across people in life that you don’t like, or that don’t like you. It is human nature. There will always be people out there that are going to judge you. So focus your energies on the people in your life that matter – forget the rest.
7: Know It’s OK To Care
You will never be able to completely turn off your thoughts on what other people think of you. And it is alright to care about your reputation. But it is not alright to obsess about what others think of you constantly. Don’t let thoughts about your reputation overwhelm you. Instead, focus on what you think about yourself. It is the only opinion that matters.