Shifting Reality

We all have a certain perception of who we are and how we view others but it isn't 100% accurate. The way you view yourself (for most people) doesn't take into account how our interactions become different depending on who we are interacting with (or the narrative they devise based on our interaction with them). Now this seems like an inane thing to talk about but think about one of your past relationships. Did you feel like you were dating an asshole because they refused to acknowledge your interests or they didn't spend much time with you? Or were you the asshole because one of your interests was grooming your dog and you didn't care the person you were with was allergic to them or did they not spend much time with you because they were working 2 jobs as well as trying to get their degree? Who the asshole is becomes a matter of perspective.

Now there are those out there who will argue "Why should I care what other people think of me? I'm here to do me". Sure, you are entitled to be here to do you but I'm simply asking you to broaden your perspective, not to be paranoid of how people view you (because that would only lead down a road of pure insanity), but to seek out a wider narrative in certain situations. Not just with how you interact with people but in your interactions with others. Lets say you have a younger sibling who irritates the hell out of you because they are crowding you and want to spend a huge amounts of time with you -- one could argue that they admire you and want to learn as much as they can from you. Or look at that "friend" of yours who talks negatively about you positively and constantly lies on your name -- one could argue they are jealous of who you are or have too much crap going on in their own life that they need to tarnish someone else to make them feel better about themselves. Both situations require open communication (you can guess which  of the two might require a break in communication).

You might think you are one of the best workers/bosses in the world but its worth it to get an honest appraisal from people you know and trust (even those you don't know that well if you want an "unbiased" opinion). Enhance your view of yourself, broaden your view of the world.