Stamp Out The Worry Of What People Think of You in 10 Steps

Everyday can become a struggle for those that worry about what others think about them to such an extent we begin to stay clear of what we see as difficult situations. We end up suffering with anxious thoughts, feelings and actions. There are many reasons why we react to daily events in the way we do but the fundamental reason is what we have learnt from past experiences and how our subconscious has interpreted events and associated feelings into a false belief.

The worry we feel when we think about how those around us view us can literally take control over our lives where we avoid even the most mundane things like going to the bank, getting a hair cut or going out with friends. However, there are things we can do today that can help to take that control back and lead a life that is based upon a realistic and confident view:

1. Know Your Goals:

Knowing what you really want out of life will give you direct focus and a path of how to get there. Having this means that you can clearly remind yourself what it is you want out of life and gives you a direction that is for you and no one else, so the worry of what others think is restricted. Write them down with a realistic time scale to keep you on track.

2. Know Your Strengths and Weaknesses:

Most of us will probably be able to reel a list of weaknesses about ourselves but we find it hard to declare our strengths. However, no matter who we are there will always be something good about our characters and lives. Take some time out and write both your strengths and weakness down and even the things you want to improve on to once again give you that focus and confidence.

We cannot be good at everything it is not human nature so once we understand this and remember it we can stop beating ourselves up about our weaknesses, accept them and concentrate on improving the things that will benefit ourselves or the things that are working for us already.

3. We Always Have a Choice:

What is right for one person might not be right for another. In life there is not one option for all us, if there was we would all be leading the same life. Instead, every single day and person is different and because of this we will never make the same decision and choose the same path. Once we know we can move forward. We just need to realise that there is no point worrying what others think about us as we have so many choices and no one is the same.

4. We All Make Mistakes:

What ever path we take in life we will make good decisions and bad decisions. This is just how life is. But we can end up beating ourselves up about the bad decisions we make. Instead, what we need to do is accept that everyone makes mistakes and that we need to learn from them to move forward and make changes if need be, just accepting your mistakes can make everything seem so much easier.

5. Brush It Off:

At some point we will receive criticism we cannot avoid it can be destructive or constructive. Constructive criticism will allow you build upon something you may not have mastered and reach your full potential. But destructive criticism will be a negative comment that is said with no thought behind it or maybe even malicious intent. This type of criticism is not beneficial at all and what we need to do is just to brush it off.

OK, this can be easier said than done but by practicing other points that will stop you worrying what others think of you, you will become resilient in no time. To do this take some time out if you get upset or angry with something you hear, see or read; take a walk, count to 10, do some breathing exercises and/or think about your strengths.

6. Don’t Get a Big Head:

This may sound a little strange but when you get praise for something try not to let it go to your head too much. If it is genuine praise use it constructively to improve yourself but always use it wisely. Whether it is criticism or praise taking it on board too much reaffirms that you worry about what others think too much and do not worry about what you think instead.

7. Busy Bees:

Just as your life is filled with work, family, friends and life in general, so is everybody else around you. One major reason why we shouldn’t worry about what others think is that people rarely notice us at all. Our brains can only process a few things consciously at any one time so noticing you shopping, driving on the motorway, walking down the street or eating in a restaurant is something that will go under the radar.

8. Test Yourself:

Proof can be all you need to change the way your brain works and your negative associations with social situations for example. So, change something small about your day or self that you have wanted to try but have always been too scared, for fear of what you think others will think of you.

If you always wear black to try and blend into the background, try wearing red or yellow that is more vibrant and see what reaction you get. You may get a comment from those who know you know you but embrace it and if it is offensive in anyway use it as a platform to learn how to brush comments off as you need to be proud of yourself for expressing your decisions.

For those that do not know you, take a look around it is pretty much certain that no one will directly look at you, consciously take the image of you in, make some sort of assumption about you and remember you the next day. And, do you know what? If they do what difference does it really make to you?.

9. You Can’t Control It:

No matter how you walk, speak, act or look like, no matter what you do to try and fit in and conform to what you believe is that perfect image which others supposedly expect of you, you cannot control what people will think. People whether you know them or not will think what they are going to think no matter what and changing your self is not going to change that or them unless they too worry about what others think and may in fact be trying to change to get your approval.

10. Stop Taking it All So Seriously:

Life is too short, fact. There is so much we have to do to survive in life, but we can also choose to do things that fulfil our needs, wants and desires. It is so easy to get bogged down with the things we feel we have to do everyday that we begin to take life too seriously. For some of us who worry about what is thought about us we can be afraid to laugh and only see the sensible side of everything as we do not know if we should act in one way or another. But, everyday make sure you laugh at yourself, if you make a mistake just laugh you will feel so much better that you see the lighter side of life immediately and why not, life is there to enjoy.