Yesterday, I talked about thinking for yourself. Today is a new day.
One of the most popular pieces of advice successful people give is to stop caring what other people think of us. Although simple in nature, it's so much easier said than actually done. The Asch Comformity Experiment is an intriguing (and still relevant) example of how powerful an effect social influences such as peer pressure actually have on us. Essentially, when faced in a situation where others all agree to something even when you clearly see problems with is, you're more likely to set aside your beliefs and conform with the group when you're in the minority. We do this because we don't want to be seen as stupid or unfit to be a part of the group.
The key finding in the experiment for me was how big an influence having someone else who shares the same view as you has on your ability to resist following the crowd and go about things your own way. In the same way, although rules and regulations have their purpose, the more people start thinking for themselves and refusing to just go along with the crowd the more people can learn to be comfortable expressing themselves openly without restraint.
Learning to be okay with being in the minority and sticking to your own beliefs can be hard to learn. We may feel confident that we'll do the right thing, but when actually in the situation our actions can be easily influenced by what's going on around us. That's a big reason why "talk is cheap" and "actions are louder than words". At the same time, although difficult, it's also one of the most rewarding things we can do. In becoming more open we also learn to forgive our own flaws and love ourselves unconditionally. To me, that's a major part of becoming free.
Peace
"To go against the dominant thinking of your friends, of most of the people you see every day, is perhaps the most difficult act of heroism you can perform." - Theodore H. WhiteHave you ever heard the story of The Emperor's New Clothes? Conformity is one of the strongest forces out there. We're taught to "get along with each other" from a young age and eventually that core belief drives our need to be a part of the crowd. This often keeps us from expressing who we really are because we're uncomfortable when people judge us.
One of the most popular pieces of advice successful people give is to stop caring what other people think of us. Although simple in nature, it's so much easier said than actually done. The Asch Comformity Experiment is an intriguing (and still relevant) example of how powerful an effect social influences such as peer pressure actually have on us. Essentially, when faced in a situation where others all agree to something even when you clearly see problems with is, you're more likely to set aside your beliefs and conform with the group when you're in the minority. We do this because we don't want to be seen as stupid or unfit to be a part of the group.
The key finding in the experiment for me was how big an influence having someone else who shares the same view as you has on your ability to resist following the crowd and go about things your own way. In the same way, although rules and regulations have their purpose, the more people start thinking for themselves and refusing to just go along with the crowd the more people can learn to be comfortable expressing themselves openly without restraint.
Learning to be okay with being in the minority and sticking to your own beliefs can be hard to learn. We may feel confident that we'll do the right thing, but when actually in the situation our actions can be easily influenced by what's going on around us. That's a big reason why "talk is cheap" and "actions are louder than words". At the same time, although difficult, it's also one of the most rewarding things we can do. In becoming more open we also learn to forgive our own flaws and love ourselves unconditionally. To me, that's a major part of becoming free.
Peace
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| Be able to break away from the norm to find your own freedom |
How do you end up conforming when you don't want to?
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