The Infamous Phrase: I Don't Care What People Think

Ever received the "I don't care what people think" response from a friend or loved one. I have come to determine this statement is one of the most selfish, close-minded, and ignorant (meant in the most loving way) responses from an individual. I also believe it reveals a number of insecurities and lack of maturity on the part of the declarer.
While an individual may make the bold statement they "don't care" the reality is they better care and they better care a whole lot, because what people think can have a significant impact on the steps that will determine their success.

Whether a teenager or adult, mature individuals will base their perception of you on their observations of you, not on the gossip they hear from someone else or any ill supported conclusion they may draw. Certainly there will always be those lame people who make assumptions about you based on little to no knowledge or on the gossip they hear through the grapevine. These people you can't control and you shouldn't be worried about what they think because they're shallow and typically have little to no power to influence others.

The majority of the population, however, does have an incredible amount of power to help or hinder you in achieving your goals. In the real world, references hold a lot of weight with admissions officers at universities and with potential employers. If you're like me, upon reaching adulthood you're either required to seek acceptance at a higher learning institution or look for gainful employment, or as most of us had to do- both. Securing a good job with upward mobility and benefits or acceptance at a college can be exponentially harder to attain without strong references. If you've lived life up until this point with the notion that you don't care what people think, then you've likely made some choices that may not generate great referrals.

Another reason to "care" is due to our reliance on other individuals.  Maintaining relationships is essential to our daily existence. The co-workers, vendors, classmates, teachers, bosses, and friends we encounter each day all play a role in our lives. The interactions you have with these individuals can make your day positive or negative. While you may live in a delusional world in which you think you alone determine your success, in actuality we must rely on other people day-in and day-out. We work on projects with co-workers and classmates that can impact our educational and professional achievements.  Teachers and bosses have the power to help us progress or stop our advancement all together. Relationships can propel us forward if they are positive and based on mutual respect. Therefore, it should matter a whole lot what the people who interact and observe you on a daily basis think about you.

The mindset of not caring what people think can also stifle your ability to learn. If you're not willing to listen to another's perspective, then you will forever live in a very small world of your own ideas and thoughts. You'll have a very difficult time connecting with others and building valuable relationships.

Finally, the statement "I don't care " is incredibly selfish. Our actions don't just reflect upon us, they reflect upon our family, employers, friends, and organizations we're involved in. To flippantly declare you don't care what people think of you is to declare you have no respect for the people who raised you, the people who sign-off on your paycheck every week,  the people who have chosen to care about you, or the causes you say you care about.

There are plenty more reasons to care what people think, but I think I've touched on the highlights that have the greatest potential to either propel you forward or leave you stagnant.

If you're a person who regularly declares "you don't care" give the points in this blog a little thought, then try caring and see if you find life to be a little easier when you make smart choices based on the knowledge that people form their opinions about you based on your actions and behaviors. I'd love to hear what you discover.