The One Thing That’s In Control Of You

If we look back at all the decisions we’ve made through life, chances are good the majority of them weren’t even made by us. The clothes we wear. The career path we went on. Where we live. What we drive. All made with someone else in mind. 

We bought the clothes that made us fit in when we were a teen. We took the job our parents wanted us to and we didn’t want them to be disappointed in us. We bought the overpriced house to show that we’re winning at life. And that car in the driveway, it may be killing us with the monthly repayments, but better that than to drive an old banger to the family get together. – And all because we worry about what other people think of us.

It would be funny if it wasn’t so sad. That the one shot you have at life isn’t going to be one that was yours. That you put complete strangers on a pedestal and were more worried about their disapproval than your own happiness. If that’s what you’ve allowed happen,  maybe it’s time to take back your life and live the one you want to. 

With that in mind, here are 3 things you need to keep in mind when you start worrying about other people’s opinions. 

1- You’re Not That Important To Other People

It’s amazing when we kid ourselves that what we do is important to the world. That the next blog post, video, or podcast episode you post is going to have people all over the world drop what they’re doing and run off to see what you’ve done. Sorry, to burst that inflated ego of yours but you ain’t that important.  Nobody cares what you do. And if you don’t believe me, go do any of the above and check the stats afterwards.  – You’re in for a rude awakening when you see how little people care about what you do. 

And as for worrying about those closer to home, those that try to pull you down aren’t worth a second of your attention. And in those moments when you might falter and run back under your shell, always remember you’re not doing it for their approval, you’re doing it for you. – Let them look for approval from someone else because your life is too important to give it over to someone that doesn’t care about your happiness.

2 – The Biggest Critics Are The Scared And The Lazy

A lot of us hold ourselves back because of critics. What if I do this thing and someone criticises it? Newsflash, some people are going to hate you and what you do. It’s human nature. They’ll not like your writing, your face, your voice, your message, or a hundred other things. And no matter what you do, they’ll never like you. 

You’ll also find that your biggest critics are those that don’t do the thing you do. And the reason they’ll hit you hard is that they’ve made the decision not to do the thing you do, and they hate themselves for it. – It’s a lot easier to criticise someone’s writing than to sit down yourself and put your own words out there. Anyone can be a ‘better’ anything when they’re not tested on that ability. 

You’ll also find that the ones that do, haven’t got time to criticise others that do. – Usually, because they’re too busy caught up in their own work to have time to pull yours apart. Those that criticise the most, usually have the whole day on their hands.

3 – Regret Is A Hole That Can Never Be Filled

The hole of regret is a big one and one that can never be filled. All the excuses, the reasons why we didn’t try, and all the people that we were worried about offending, will disappear into that abyss never to be seen. Along with all the talent and knowledge that the world will never see. That you walked this world and never left your stamp on it, for fear of someone else’s opinion. 

Why didn’t I? Why did I care so much? What could I have achieved? One day those words will haunt you like they have so many others before. And 0ne day you’ll look back at a life that wasn’t yours.

I don’t know about you, but if there’s anything that should stop you from paying any attention to other people’s opinions it’s that one. That you came, you saw, and did nothing because you were worried about what other people thought of you. – Most of whom didn’t even care about you, or your happiness. 

Now that’s a tough pill to swallow. 

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