Get The Monkey Off Your Back...

“You wouldn't worry so much about what others think of you if you
realized how seldom they do.”
― Eleanor Roosevelt

Don't Worry About What Others Think!

Scientific studies have shown that our thoughts, feelings and beliefs lead the way in we choose to see the world. These thoughts, feelings and beliefs play a huge role in the development of both our perceptions as well as our misperceptions. Personalization is a perfect example of this.

When you take the time to pay close attention to how you process the data coming in to you, you will see how fast your thoughts in nearly every experience you have lead straight back to you. You begin to worry about what other people think of you. You work diligently to plan your actions in order to keep the peace. This even gets taken to the point where place an emphasis on doing what you think will make others like you, or love you, more.

This is something we all do. You, me, everyone does it. However, when we choose to take things to personally it can be a very slippery slope.

This might be a where we can take a look at Dr. Daniel Amen’s 18/40/60 Rule. His rule offers us a clear, thoughtful insight into how we view ourselves and others. It states:

"When you’re 18, you worry about what everybody is thinking of you; when you’re 40, you don’t give a darn what anybody thinks of you; when you’re 60, you realize nobody’s been thinking about you at all."

You see, when we make the choice to leave our thoughts, feelings and beliefs unchecked we risk the sincere possibility of letting negative thoughts that drag us down. Then, before we know it, we begin to make the choice to live our lives to be people pleasers, all the while sacrificing our own happiness, significance and satisfaction in the process. But what can we do? These simple steps will help you.

• Start by paying attention to how many times you choose to take things personally.
• Then, be aware of what role you may or may not have played in the situation.
• Follow this by trying to see the situation from a third party observer's viewpoint.If you have played a role in the situation, fix your part in it.
• If you have not played a role in the situation then let it go! Don’t let it become the proverbial monkey on your back.
  

Remember, life can ALWAYS BE BETTER!