RealTalkAJ

There’s 2 reasons that I could think of immediately: social media and being in a culture of feedback.

Pick your favorite social and you can bet going viral is a majority of people’s goals, most of the time coming from sharing an opinion that’s intended to shock the world one way or another.

And the other being in a feedback culture where we share our thoughts and opinions on whatever we enjoy as consumers because we’re encouraged to.

How do you deal with people who have an opinion on everything?

• Keep an open mind
• Paraphrasing is critical
• Ask; don’t tell
• Kill with kindness
• Don’t take things personally

These steps are important to keep in mind when dealing with these type of people because it’ll save you the stress.

Depending on who you’re dealing with could make things incredibly stressful.

They could be people that are hardheaded, ignorant and just plain stupid.

Because these people most of the time are already mad about something that doesn’t even have anything to do with you it might mean that they’re willing to take things further than what you’re ready to do.

We have to keep in mind that we have more to lose (or better yet more to build than these people) we’re gonna have to be the people who keep our cool better than our aggressors.

Why do people have such strong opinions?

It’s mainly because it’s the thing that helps shape our identity.

Without having much to stand on it makes us appear more like pushovers.

It makes us look weak and able to be influenced by anybody that has something to say to us.

Our opinions are the things that helps give us a voice in the room for discussion.

To some extent we want to be seen as knowledgeable and have a good idea about what we’re talking about.

Think about the last time you talked to someone that didn’t have an opinion on something you claimed to care about, that’s usually where their usefulness ends in the conversation (right?).

Where do opinions come from?

• Influencers
• Parents
• School teachers
• Propaganda
• Any media

These opinions formed by most of these leaders in our lives come about when we spend a significant amount of time with them.

There’s that, effective marketing, ads that align with their messages and things alike.

How do you not let people bother you?

• Limit the amount of time spent with them
• Avoid talking about sensitive topics that could potentially lead to an argument

Again, going back to that earlier point about dealing with these type of people could lead to stress that could’ve been avoided it’s important to exercise these disciplines.

We have to look at these people with nothing to lose so they’ll gladly waste your time, do what they can to get under your skin and even start an argument to use you as the scapegoat.