Ever since I was a teenager, I faced difficulties trusting myself. I didn’t think that I would make the best decisions. Heck, I had to consult someone else even for the simplest decisions, such as choosing Tim Hortons or Starbucks coffee.
I felt that other people knew me better. I thought that they could better assess my life until I realized one day that only I, myself, could make those decisions.
I remember that day. I was talking to a friend about different career options. I threw a few ideas on the table – a lawyer, a psychologist, a professor, or a manager. The friend decided I shouldn’t become a psychologist simply because the field was too saturated. They also stated that being a professor was a horrible idea because I wouldn’t be happy with the job. Then, they mentioned that being a lawyer wasn’t the right choice either – simply because law school sounded way too stressful.
They decided that if I were to be successful in life, the only career I should choose was a manager.
I wasn’t against the idea at first. I liked meeting new people, negotiating, and brainstorming new ideas to lead a team effectively. However, I later realized that their decision was mainly a result of their own goals and experiences.
When I realized that, I specifically asked them why I should choose to be a manager. They then told me that I had the support systems, and if I were a manager, I could travel the world and explore new places.
However, they then told me that it was their goal to travel the world. So I asked myself, “Is their opinion really a reflection of my own interests?”
It seems that everywhere I go, somebody always has a suggestion for what I should do and work towards. My manager at work and even my parents encourage me to work as a lawyer. Then, other people around me all pushed me toward a career in politics. They all say that’s where I belong the most.
After hearing all this, I asked myself: Although I could technically pursue these industries, is this where I want to be?
I’ve looked back at my previous job experiences. Some were in customer service, others were in childcare, some were in tutoring, and a few were in administration. I also held a gig as an analyst, where I constantly worked with numbers and brainstormed new policies for the company.
Over time, I noticed that the lucrative roles were different from the jobs I enjoyed. The jobs that I liked had to do more with one-on-one or classroom interaction. One of my favorite gigs was being a teaching assistant for an English course because it allowed me to connect with others. But then I realized that no one around me would have guessed I like to teach.
That realization showed me that I know myself the best. What other people think is not a reflection of me; instead, it’s a reflection of their opinion. So, I need to start trusting myself to make my own decisions instead of relying on others.
So, in the end, whenever you make a decision, please disregard what other people say and keep trusting yourself. Their opinions are not a reflection of you. The only person who knows what’s right for you is you.
Featured image via Büşranur Aydın on Pexels
Trusting yourself allows you to make decisions more easily. When you believe in your judgment, you are less likely to be swayed by others’ opinions Sprunked or fear of making mistakes. This leads to better, more decisive actions in both personal and professional aspects of life.