Day #5 - Stick to your Guns

Theme

Stick to your Guns

dictionary definition: “to remain firm in one's convictions; to stand up for one's rights.”

Description

“I know you better than you know yourself”  

“You’ve tried this before and failed”  

“What a waste of time”

Who hasn’t heard this litany before?  And while it is true that psychologists have noted that friends often see things in us that we do not see (everything from beauty to intelligence to even rudeness) we still do for the most part have a handle on who we are.  So when it comes to self-improvement, or rather self-realization, don’t let the opinions of others discourage or deter you.

To Do

Be willing to change at least one unproductive opinion today

Nourish Yourself

What foods make YOU feel happy, loved AND healthy - eat these

Stick it to your guns
i.e. your triceps

Get Up & Go!

Try an activity about which you have previously held a negative opinion... just for a few minutes... you just may like it

Tools

Forgiveness, understanding, empathy, willingness, a sense of buoyancy and adventure

Tips/Tweaks

Find ways to change your assumptions and opinions about others.  Doing so will lighten your mental load

Dealing with people’s negative opinions of you: (adapted from wikihow)

Relax. Don't get worked up if people don't appear to like you right away. Sometimes, it takes others a while to adjust to new people in their life

Find a little more information on the person who seems to not like you. Try to put yourself in the other person’s shoes to understand their points of reference.  You needn’t dig up their life’s story or psychoanalyze them, but a little empathy can go a long way.  The cause of the other person’s opinion may not even have anything to do with you! 

Realize that the person might consider some of your strong points flaws. For instance, if they don't enjoy your sense of humor, then they might think that you're annoying while others love your ability to share jokes

If the flaws appear to be a big part of you that others frequently object to, you may want to face the situation squarely and adapt and grow as needed

Question

Whose opinion affects you the most and why

Thought

"You cannot expect to achieve new goals or move beyond your present circumstances unless you change..... Other people's opinion of you does not have to become your reality" - Les Brown

Tidbit

from Wikipedia:

“In general, an opinion is a subjective belief, and is the result of emotion or interpretation of facts. An opinion may be supported by an argument, although people may draw opposing opinions from the same set of facts. Opinions rarely change without new arguments being presented. However, it can be reasoned that one opinion is better supported by the facts than another by analysing the supporting arguments.

In casual use, the term opinion may be the result of a person's perspective, understanding, particular feelings, beliefs, and desires. It may refer to unsubstantiated information, in contrast to knowledge and fact-based beliefs.” 

Farrah Fawcett once said the National Enquirer caused her more stress than the cancer which claimed her life.

Treat

Slough off unhealthy (and untrue) opinions.  This site on the subject of scrubs is worth its sea salt: http://bodyscrubworld.com/

Blogs & Articles

Other People’s Opinions: http://ezinearticles.com/?Other-Peoples-Opinions&id=36535

How to Understand and Stop Worrying About Other Peoples' Opinions:  http://www.ehow.com/how_4915542_stop-worrying-other-peoples-opinions.html

In Sum

Remember, there is only one opinion you have control over and that it your own.  Maintain your standards, your resolve and determination to succeed in this challenge (as well as life) and you will win