How can you avoid social influence when making decisions?

Evitar a influência social na tomada de decis?es requer autoconhecimento e é um grande desafio. Pois o ambiente sempre tende a nos moldar, mesmo que de forma inconsciente. Mas imagina que é um ambiente familiar e você n?o tem como mudá-lo, ent?o você precisa aprender a agir. Identifique suas fontes de influência, avalie suas inten??es e esteja atento aos detalhes. Aprenda especialmente a se questionar antes de tomar uma decis?o. Lembre-se que a autonomia é o caminho para a verdadeira autenticidade.

Avoiding social influence in decision-making can be a challenging but empowering endeavor. I've found that self-awareness is the key. It's essential to take a step back and reflect on what truly matters to me, regardless of what others might think or expect. I often gather information from diverse sources and give myself the time to carefully consider my options. Trusting my instincts has been invaluable, as they often align with my core values. It's a journey of self-discovery and learning to set clear boundaries and confidently make decisions that feel true to myself.

From history, humans support what is popular even if not right, and will ignore what is not popular but right. Shared with my books of The Pineapple Theory, positive reasoning and thinking can be accomplished when actively listening to key trigger words - within and around - requiring positive curiosity to step outside the emotional illusions with life & time. Not limited to from the books: What you and others think is, should, and could is not a fact. Be positively curious. What you and others assume, guess, predict is not a fact. Be positively curious.

I disagree with this whole concept. We are socially derived beings. Every field from social theory to social psychology argues that humans are environmentally influenced. What does then means, is that we must take our own personal responsibility, coupled with awareness, and actively participate in deconstructing the world around us. We are integrated into the worlds that we are consistently experiencing. Either by choice, or guided by others. We must, accept that we are socially influenced and impacted everywhere we are. This is where questions must arise from. Deep inquiry or self investigation is one of the greatest tools that we have to help navigate how environment influences us.

I make sure to take the time for introspection and deeply understand my own values and aspirations, ensuring that my decisions are rooted in my personal principles. I'm selective about the sources I consult, opting for those that provide diverse perspectives rather than just reinforcing conventional wisdom. Engaging in open discussions and constructive debates with colleagues and friends has been instrumental in challenging my own thinking and preventing undue external influence. I also practice mindfulness and self-awareness, allowing me to spot instances of social pressure and resist them effectively. Being aware of the potential for social influence and actively guarding against it is a key aspect of my decision-making process.

Again, we cannot avoid social influence. But, we can become more aware of what is impacting us. The first step, is to embrace a posture of openness and curious investigation. If curiosity is not present, then learning and growth cannot happen. The second step is to find out who you are. Whether you are a business or an individual. What are your values? We tend to find out who we are by what things around us are not. Or, even others. So use the power of difference as a way to help differentiate Who you are and what you believe and what you will allow based upon the opposite. Then begin offering yourself alternatives.

Building Confidence Through Authenticity The key to developing true confidence lies in authenticity. It's about trusting in your knowledge and experience, but also being open about the areas where you are still growing. This approach not only positions you as a relatable authority but also as a lifelong learner who values continuous improvement.

Assertiveness, which should be seen as a fluid idea, in and of itself—because we are beings who also like change—should be something that we embrace first off. Define what assertiveness means to you. Then, why are you using this tool??—are you using assertiveness just to sustain your current sense of ego? Are you using it as a fluid tool to help you grow and change consistently? These are much better questions. Because we change, then our views of ourselves will change. So will the tools. One season of your life you might use assertiveness, another off one you might choose to use meekness. Being aware is a super power. It’s also a responsibility.

Embracing some elements of Vulnerability as a Source of Strength. In the journey of personal and professional growth, especially for experts in their respective fields, there exists a nuanced balance between showcasing confidence and acknowledging one's vulnerabilities. Recognizing and accepting moments of uncertainty or doubt does not diminish your expertise; rather, it humanises you, fostering a deeper connection with your audience or peers.

For experts and seasoned professionals, striking the perfect chord between confidence and an openness to vulnerability resembles an artful dance. It’s about steadfastly anchoring yourself in your vast knowledge while maintaining an openness in communication, especially when seeking guidance and feedback. This approach, where you're not just firm in your expertise but also actively seeking insights to deepen your understanding, does more than just refine your personal brand. It solidifies your stature as a leader who is not only deeply informed but also genuinely invested in continuous learning and growth, making you both respected and relatable in your industry.

Everything is about balance. A bit of social influence is often beneficial. However, to be able to resist it and not become a gullible sheep, you need to do two things: Self-confidence - you need to be sure of your own position, your thoughts, and your arguments. Independence - you need to be strong enough not to care what others may think of you. It is often the worry about how we will be perceived by others that leads us to conform even to things that go against our nature.

This topic reminds me of the quote from Charles Horton Cooley. “I am not who you think I am; I am not who I think I am; I am who I think you think I am” It's important to direct questions towards yourself when making decisions. Start by asking "Why?" Other questions such as; "Am I basing this decision on what I actually want or the expectation of others?" "Am I feeding my ego with this decision, or am I deciding what is best for me?" "Am I choosing out of fear of something that will happen/not happen, or out of love without expectation?"