​FEAR OF PEOPLE’S OPINIONS by Pennie Hunt

I am a cocker spaniel. I want everyone to like me. When I receive positive emails and messages about my columns or my books it makes me a happy cocker spaniel. I appreciate new ideas. A critical message sends a dagger to my heart. I never want to hurt feelings or send negativity in my words. If that happens, I want to correct it, I want to jump in your lap and make you my friend.

You have heard of FOMO – the Fear Of Missing Out? Well, I heard a new one the other day, FOPO. It is the Fear Of People’s Opinions. This was coined by sports psychologist, Michael Gervais. I believe we all suffer from this on varying levels. The judgment of others can at times be cruel.

I remember writing my first blog over a decade ago. My finger was shaking and my heart racing, as I hit the ‘publish’ button, knowing that I had just placed my words and feelings on the mysterious internet to be read by the eyes of the world. I felt excited, exposed, and vulnerable.

Within minutes I began hearing clicks. I ran to my husband and said,
“Ten people have read my blog!”
“Ten people you don’t know?” Was his response.
“Yes, I wonder who they are.”

My fear grew. I had just given these unknown people power. The power to judge me, to like me, to hate me, or to fly right by my words without noticing. FOPO. I had a strong Fear of People’s Opinions. Michael Gervais calls this the “greatest crippler of people’s potential.”

What did I do to squelch this fear? I kept coming back to my mission, which is three simple words: To Help Others. I share my thoughts, feelings, tips, and techniques with the intention of them landing in the hearts of those who need help. I hope to help them heal, grow, and succeed in life. My purpose is to inspire and encourage. I want to help.

Those first ten people became the beginning of a tribe of thousands. They live in different corners of the internet and world. I realize that not every one of my writings or every speech hits the heart of every reader. But the next one may be just the one you need to hear. With every writing when I hit publish or send, or when I stand on a stage to speak, I send along my wish, – may my words reach who needs to hear them. 

So here is one that I came up with, PUMP. Power of Understanding Mission and Purpose. I am still a cocker spaniel. I still want everyone to like me, but on the rare occasion my FOPO kicks in, I PUMP myself up by standing firm in my mission and purpose. Everything I do is with the intention of my mission and my purpose. I jumped into the arena, exposed and vulnerable, but my mission and purpose helped me succeed. It PUMPS me up and keeps me going.

What do you want to do that the Fear Of People’s Opinion is holding you back from? Spend some time on what your intention is. Why do you want to do this? Create a mission statement and know your purpose. Write them down. Stencil them on a plaque. Make it your screen saver. Embed them into your heart. Don’t let the opinion of others cripple your potential.

Let this quote sink in:
“It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs, who comes short again and again, because there is no effort without error and shortcoming; but who does actually strive to do the deeds; who knows great enthusiasms, the great devotions; who spends himself in a worthy cause; who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly…” Theodore Roosevelt

I am a cocker spaniel. I want everyone to like me. Not everyone will. But I continue to jump into the arena every day. I play there. I learn there. I make friends there. And I do not fear the opinions of others.
Will you join me?  Will you jump into the arena?
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                                                Pennie’s Life Lesson:
                       Don’t let the opinion of others cripple your potential.
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#CornerofSpiritandBrave  #loveyourlifenomatterwhat  #JourneyThrough #PennieHunt  #IAmGoodEnough
YOUR TURN...        
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