Your Stuff

“Care about what other people think and you will always be their prisoner.” ~Lao Tzu

Ever post the best picture of yourself out of 40 selfies you shot over the course of say a month or two? Yeah, most of us can raise our hands to that one. It’s amazing how harsh we can judge ourselves – so much harsher than others would. But we care about how others see us, so it makes sense.

But here’s the thing, what others think of us is really none of our business. It’s not our job to live in other people’s heads. Because truthfully, what they think about us has nothing to do with us. It’s all about them. It’s about their beliefs, perceptions, experiences and behavioral tendencies. So, how do we stop caring about another’s opinion of us?

Know your values. If you know what they are, bring them into play. Let them be the flashlight in the dark room. So, when something happens or something is said, respond from a place of your core values. They will serve as your guide.

Focus on your own stuff. The only thing you should concern yourself with is your own business. What you think, say and do are the only things you can control. So, control them.

Remember, you are always doing your best. In that moment, given that circumstance, with various individuals, and the information you have – you are doing your best. Period. You are doing your best.

So, it’s your stuff to control. You get to decide when and how you want to control it.