It’s unfortunately common for us to be concerned about what others think about us. After all, sometimes our jobs seemingly depend upon it. Yet there is a paradox at work. The more we’re concerned about what others think about us, the less we’re actually embracing and being ourselves. The less we’re ourselves, the less truly fulfilled we are, the less passion we put into our work and as a result, the less effective we ultimately will be.
“To be nobody but yourself in a world which is doing its best, night and day, to make you everybody else, means to fight the hardest battle which any human being can fight; and never stop fighting.” -E.E. Cummings
There’s another aspect at work. When we worry about what others think about us we de facto are giving more credence to other people’s thoughts than to our own. In essence we lose trust in ourselves, and if we don’t trust ourselves we’ll never be bold enough to take our ideas and passions and run with them.
Boldness has genius, power, and magic in it. Begin it now. – Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe
Innovation is a wonderful symphony of individuals at the top of their game. That creative insight, that flash of brilliance, the passionate drive to excel – all this comes from individuals bold enough to be themselves.
Be you…
