I find that many of the choices that people make on a day to day basis are for the benefit of perception, and pleasing others. It seems that many people need the approval of others in the decisions they make in their lives, even when making basic decisions. People ask others, does this look better on me, do you like my haircut, what do you think about this car, do you like my house, what are you having-I’ll have what you have, what do you think about this person, what did you think of that sermon, do you think I would like that movie, what would you do in this situation, what would you say in this situation, what gift would you purchase for them, would you lend them money, who did you vote for, the list goes on and on. Many value the opinion of others over their own opinion, and will stress if they feel they’ve made a decision that others would not approve of.
Make a point to choose not to worry about what other people think about you, what you are doing, or the choices that you are making for yourself. It’s amazing how stressed many people get over what others think and say about them. Another person’s opinion about you is not more important than the opinion you have of yourself. If you have an over
pre-occupation with perception and trying to please other people’s expectations, you become the prisoner of others. Einstein said that great spirits have always encountered violent opposition from mediocre minds. You should not let another day go by where your dedication to other people’s opinions is greater than the dedication to your own opinion and emotions.
There is no need to ever compare yourself to others. When you use someone Else’s measuring stick, you will always come up short. You don’t need to think like others or be better than anyone else, just strive to be better than you were yesterday.
Always be proud of who you are. It doesn’t matter what other people think, because at the end of a day, your opinion is the only one that matters. Keep in mind that the only way a person can insult you or make you feel inferior by their words is if you find value in their opinion, a healthy mind does not speak ill of others. You must give people permission to make you feel inferior in any way, and you will always be annoyed and frustrated by what other say and do until you choose to make the decision to not get annoyed and frustrated by what others say or do.