Do You Care What Other People Think? – Remarkable TV

Today, I want to talk about a topic that affects all of us at some point: FOPO, or Fear of Other People's Opinions.

Do you care what other people think? Of course you do. We all care about the opinions of those closest to us and whose opinions we value the most. But the question is, who are the "other people," and how much do you care? More importantly, does this impact your decisions?

I recently had a conversation with Deepak Ohri, the author of the book "A Bridge Not Too Far," on my podcast. During our discussion, he introduced the concept of FOPO and how it can keep us from reaching our goals and being creative and innovative. It's a great point: If we're constantly worried about what other people think, it can hinder our ability to be our true selves and pursue our passions.

So how do we know if we're suffering from FOPO? Here are three ways to assess whether we are:

1. You make decisions based on it. If you're constantly thinking about what other people will think and making decisions based on their potential opinions, you might be suffering from FOPO. This can cause you to second-guess yourself and miss out on opportunities.
2. You pause and wait because of it. If you're spending too much time deliberating based on how other people will react to your decisions, you might be suffering from FOPO. This can lead to analysis paralysis and prevent you from taking action.
3. You worry based on it. If you're constantly worrying about what other people will think of your actions, you might be suffering from FOPO. This can cause you to be hesitant and hold you back from pursuing your goals.

It's important to note that there's a difference between listening to other people's perspectives and being fearful of their opinions. It's good to take feedback and consider other people's thoughts, but we shouldn't let fear stop us from pursuing our goals.

Before you stop or pause or worry, ask yourself if it's FOPO or if it's wise. Some people's opinions will matter more to you than others, but it's important to strike a balance between valuing other people's perspectives and being true to ourselves.

In conclusion, don't live with FOPO. If you do, you'll reduce your impact and decrease your happiness. Remember that other people's opinions can be valuable, but they shouldn't hold you back from pursuing your passions and reaching your potential. 

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