Learning is constant

Identity can be formed in an infinite number of ways. The main way it is formed is through popular culture and family relations. Family usually has the most honest opinion and impact on the choices that we make. They can determine your career, which you marry, or even to how many children you have. The power of opinion can change our lives. I believe those who are closest to you have the most effect on our identity. This is especially true for my family when they disapprove of my choices. I really take their opinions into consideration because my family knows me better than I know myself. I think this relates to having an open-mind.  I dislike those who criticize me or pass judgment on me, although they are unaware of my circumstances. They have no insight into my life; therefore they cannot disapprove of my choices, or formulate an accurate opinion.  Being open-minded allows you to learn and grow. It makes you reexamine life’s choices, and rigorously analyze your decisions. With this in mid we must also to some degree take into consideration what strangers and acquaintances say. A great example would be the comments customers make to you. My coworker who is very rude in general, has been told by customers that she is rude and unprofessional. Sometimes strangers can give an honest opinion on our flaws. It effects how they view you because if you are constantly ignoring their advice or statements, they could see you as irresponsible. When people give advice they expect you to at least follow it to some degree. Your choices affect those around you. Being a rebel is not necessarily a positive thing. We all have to conform to societies standards. Not only is it natural, but necessary. Selfishness can only isolate a person.

            Opinions of others effect how I judge myself in a number of ways. The most important way it affects me is that it makes me realize the brutal truth.  If I am rude, or handling a situation the wrong way, especially with a customer, they tell me so. It makes me more conscious of what I say and do. It makes me more critical of the decisions I make. When making a decision you have to take into consideration how it is going to make affect your image. Reputation is essential for functioning in the world. Ignoring those who just want to help can be detrimental to your identity and reputation. Entirely ignoring other peoples opinion means there is a possible defect in your decision making processing.  Negative opinions make me self-conscious. When people are constantly putting their opinions on me or judging me it makes me think, am doing something incorrectly? It makes me feel like there is something out of the norm with the actions that I take. With this in mind, you have to form a filter in which people’s opinions go through before you make a drastic change.  It is critical to analyze outside information. Sometimes it is inaccurate and other times, just plain negative.

Criticism can be constructive, to a certain extent. You really have to know how to apply and analyze criticism. Some people just see it as negativity. Most people don't like being told what to do, or that they are wrong. They prefer not to be the “loser” in the fight. I believe that makes a person weak. In order to process criticism in a constructive way, you have to have a positive sense of self. To know that you are capable and competent can allow you to process criticism in a positive manner. People who are not confident usually take criticism in the wrong way. We can function better in society if we are able to take criticism. This mostly occurs in the professional environment.  It can make you be a more effective worker. It can open you up to a new way of thinking.

            On the other hand, depending on what kind of criticism, and who is doing the criticizing can be detrimental to your attitude. There are two kinds of criticism. The first kind is negative, and it’s belittling. The second is positive criticism and it only seeks to improve. The person will give a positive and negative statement.  A person’s personality can have an effect on the type of criticism they dish out. We all know that there people that pick apart your work just because it makes them feel better. The negative criticism is the most detrimental to our attitudes. If someone is constantly putting us down, and not giving the least amount of praise, it can cause us to lose confidence. Negative criticism can make us lose confidence in how we live our lives.  We begin to constantly ask ourselves, Are we really making a good decision? It can give you a more negative view on life and transform yourself into a pessimistic person. This is especially true if it is someone close to us. Our family is the biggest influence on our character and attitude. Their negativity radiates to those around them.