Dealing with Fear of People's opinions
We are living in a fast changing world where everybody has something to say about everything that is happening. Most often than not, our lives are pegged on the question, ‘’What will people say?’’ Well this is a good question to ask oneself because it shows a consciousness towards the people around you and the society at large. Nevertheless, if a consideration on this question is the reason that an individual remains stuck in one position all their life, then there is need for a reconsideration. Now, this does not mean support of a certain level of arrogance in individuals who feel that that they have no need to be subject to anyone nor listen to any authority over their lives.
Referring to psychology studies by Joseph Luft and Harrington Ingham in what is called the Johari Window, we all need people’s opinion in one way or another. The problem comes when we fear hearing those opinions and become paralyzed in our progress. According to the Johari window, an individual has four areas in them including; the open area, the hidden area, the blind area and the unknown area. The open area contains those things which are open to public awareness such that the individual knows about them and other people as well, and it does not bother the person that other people know it. The hidden area contains those things which an individual knows about themselves but other people do not know (the hidden secrets). The Blind area contains those things which an individual does not know about themselves yet other people know about (the blind spots). The unknown area contains those things which an individual does not know about themselves neither do other people know, (unconscious past, childhood happenings).
To deal with the fear of people’s opinions, one needs to reduce their hidden area, unknown area and the blind area while increasing the open area. This simply means growing in one’s self-awareness. It takes a lot of energy to keep a lot of secrets and this is the reason why an individual is ready to fight with anyone suspected to backbite them. Give people chance to talk about you, in fact be ready to hear what they talked about. If it is positive criticism take it and work on it where necessary, but if it is nay sayings just drop it and move on. The greatest strategy is the example given by Jesus Christ in the Bible where He asked His disciples to tell Him Who He was. Jesus had a chance to listen to what other people thought He was, but in the end He gave validation to what His disciples said He was because that was exactly what He was (Mathew 16:13-16). Without self-awareness people keep fighting with every naysayer who know everything but nothing in particular.
Have you been stuck due to fear of what people will say? It’s time to go for that challenge, to pursue that course, to do that project, to revamp that business… to do whatever your maker has convicted you that you can do no.
Great one. Creativity ata work
ReplyDeleteThank you my dear.
ReplyDeletethis is great stuff..thank you
ReplyDeleteThank you so much
DeleteGrowing into self-awarness is not easy. I bet a person should be more intentional and focused to increase their open area. What an enlightenment !🔥
ReplyDeleteThank you so much
DeleteLearning more from you girl
ReplyDeleteAmen Amen. We're growing together.
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