Monday, October 8, 2007

So?

Have you ever felt embarrassed about something when put into a social situation where you feel like all eyes are on you and whatever you say or do will be the talk of the night and many nights onward? Like for example, dancing, I admit I have 2 left feet and usually feel quite reserved when in a club or bar to shake what my mama gave me, at the fear of other looking at me strangely and pointing and laughing or at least thinking, wow this guy is a total loser. However when you are at home or alone and you hear something on your radio or your music player that is catchy you find the need to dance, so you do without any inhibitions. Well then my friend I think we suffer from the "spotlight effect", which is very well describe in this article on CNN. And at the end of the article the author gives the readers one thought to keep in mind, or rather one question to keep in mind, a question that was once told to the author by a friend when talking on a cellphone in a taxi cab and wondering if the taxi driver was listening. That one question is "So?". And it's quite a powerful question to think about in any situation if you feel embarrassed... So?, if you think people will laugh at you, So?... Because it seems that we tend to over estimate how great the effect of letting go of our inhibitions may actually be, most things you do will only be remembered 50% less then what you feel others will remember. And for the most part letting go of inhibition, is probably a better way to put yourself forward and who knows others may follow suit. So the next time you feel hesitant at trying something at the fear of being ridiculed by everyone, just think to yourself, So?....