Get Over Yourself

Sometimes we can take things a bit too personally – especially ourselves. We try to be all things to all people, both in business and in our personal life but it’s just not possible. As the saying goes:

“You can please some of the people some of the time, but you can't please all of the people all of the time”.

While we all want to get things right, some people will never be happy with what you do, what you say or how you say it, however hard you try. When I first started up in business I wanted to get everything right and wanted things to be perfect, so took every comment and criticism as a personal slight. These days I’ve toughened up a bit and realise that just because one person doesn’t like something I’ve written or said, it doesn’t mean that everyone else feels the same way and that I instantly need to make a change just to please them.

By all means listen to feedback or constructive comments – especially if you’re hearing it from someone who actually knows what they’re talking about or you're hearing the same thing being said more than once. If someone you don’t know and have never met says something against you, don’t take it personally. It may not be about you. Realise that the fact they're having a rant at you, is probably saying far more about him or her than whatever it is that you may have done. If you do tend to react personally and emotionally, take a deep breath, step away from the situation for a while and don’t respond until you’ve had time to calm down and think in a less reactive and more controlled way. Putting a little time between yourself and the issue or person can help.

Have confidence in yourself and what you do and as long as you can look yourself in the mirror and know that you’ve acted in good faith and with integrity, then stop trying to change yourself just to please everyone else.

Life’s too short.