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REMIND YOURSELF THAT
NO ONE IS OUT TO GET YOU

I read a story that was forwarded to me over the Internet about a well-known celebrity. While I can’t guarantee the accuracy of the story, I can tell you that it was very inspiring. Supposedly, someone had asked this man if there were some reason for the sudden change in his attitude, inspiration, and success. He said that, above all, he had come to the simple realization that no one was out to get him.

On the surface, this is an obvious observation. Most of us, if asked, would probably admit that few people, if anyone, are really out to get us. Yet many of us act as if there are people out there trying to do just that. We behave as if we have a chip on our shoulder, or we act suspicious, cynical, or paranoid. Or we act like victims, feeling sorry for ourselves when things don’t go our way. We think it must be someone else’s fault—it’s not fair. This heavy-hearted attitude takes an enormous toll on our sense of well-being and our experience of life. It robs us of enthusiasm, inspiration, wisdom, creativity, follow-through, and spontaneity.

In order to have the “no one is out to get me” insight, all that is required is a willingness on your part to accept the fact that you’re just like everyone else. Me too; I’m just like everyone else. The simple truth is that while we’re all special and unique, none of us is important enough in the eyes of someone else to warrant that type of attention. You do hear isolated stories of stalkers and weirdos, but, truthfully, those are the rare exceptions. For most of us, when someone isn’t nice to us—or they treat us unfairly, or do something we don’t like, or say the wrong thing—it’s really not about us. Or if it is, it’s minimal.

Most people are simply going about their own business and doing the very best they can. And while people can and do hurt our feelings, usually it’s by accident or it’s some attempt to do something in their own self-interest. No one planned for us to be hurt or involved in a negative way. Ordinarily, fate or thoughtlessness or something like that caused the negative outcome.

Acknowledging the fact that no one is out to get us assists our creativity, persistence, responsibility, and willingness to take charge of our own lives. It will help you become a happier and more productive individual.