Article by
KAYSOON KHOO
Very often we're overly concerned over what others say and think about us. We place too much importance on their opinions and allow them to influence our own thoughts and actions.
When we do that, we make ourselves vulnerable unnecessarily. We can't help what others say and think. If someone is prejudiced against you for some unjustified reason, there's really nothing you can do about it. What you can do for yourself is to not let it bother you.
I'm not saying we should be totally indifferent to the opinions of everyone else. There are those whose opinions count. If you're holding a job, your boss' estimation of your job performance should matter to you. If you're selling a product or rendering a service, you can't afford to be indifferent to the opinions of your customers and clients.
Needless to say, we should care how we we stand in the regard of those whom we like, respect and admire. These are the kind of people who matter, the ones whose opinions we value. Ranking top in their list would be our loved ones, our friends and those for whom we have high regard.
But the one person whose opinion matters most is you yourself. You should always have self-esteem. If you don't, you're short of the one thing you need to make the most of your own life.
Look at yourself from an unbiased angle and pass judgment on yourself. Be neither overly harsh nor lenient in the process. Just be honest. Make an inventory of your own faults and shortcomings. Drop all the excuses. It's not the easiest thing in the world, but everyone has to do it. Decide to do something about your faults and weaknesses. Learn how to forgive yourself. You cannot venture upon a new path if you're burdened with a load of guilt and self-condemnation.
Start anew. Persist in your attempts at self-improvement until the day comes when you truly believe you're as good as anyone else. That self-opinion is really something you owe yourself.
