A short pause for thought and reflection
Written by ANDREW EALES
We often hear self-help gurus encouraging us to stop worrying about what others think of our choices, opinions, abilities, behaviour, or work.
And they have a point: many of us become trapped in the mindset of the “people-pleaser”. If we allow ourselves to be manipulated or bullied by others, we can easily lose sight of our own worth and core values. A decision not to care what others think about us can be emancipating.
But wait. If we stop caring about what others think, how long before we stop caring about them at all?
Mutual understanding of each other’s ideas, feelings and perspectives is a crucial foundation for building empathetic, honest relationships. If we limit ourselves to our own perspective, ignoring the opinions, ideas, insights and beliefs of others, we can quickly become arrogant and indifferent.
As the Chinese saying goes,
“However good your eye-sight, you still can’t see the back of your own head.”
We may not always agree with the opinions of others, but shutting them out fundamentally isolates us, and can limit our potential for growth. Clearly a balance is needed, along with an ability to accept the perspectives of others without feeling belittled.
Continue reading A Fresh Perspective