What Other People Think of You…

…is none of your business.  I confess I don’t know to whom this particular phrase should be attritbuted, which is a shame.  Why?  Because I think it’s a brilliant insight into one of the challenges of being human.  For so many of people, living according to the ideas and ideals of other people is what keeps us moving forward.  And really, it’s no wonder.  As parents, we teach our children (consciously or not) to do those things which garner our approval as well as the approval of other signifcant adults in their lives.  So naturally, as children grow into adults, they hold onto this need to be granted approval by whomever they deem significant in their lives, whether it’s coworkers, friends, or — despite being fully-grown adults — their parents.

The result?  The balance is weighted heavily on one side, the side that measures the approval of others, without giving enough weight or credence to one’s own perspective and insights.  What I’ve come to realize (although I do, admittedly, fall back into old patterns from time-to-time) is that what really matters is what I think.  Do I think I’ve done my best?  Do I feel there’s more to do?  Do I have a sense that I could have done better or do I just know that I rocked the house?  While it may be true that our personal assessments can be skewed to a certain degree, relying too heavily on the opinions of others is also a skewed approach to self-assessment.

So here’s the bottom-line:  whatever it is you’re up to in the world, do YOUR best.  Be honest with yourself and give your own opinion it’s due credence.  Seek the input of those you trust if necessary, but know that ultimately, it’s your opinon of yourself and your efforts that really matters.