Noise and Data

Every once in a while, we all wonder whether we should even bother with what people think and say about us. People have a great deal to say, and it’s usually something we’re uncomfortable hearing. Most people only end up disappointing us. So it’s natural to question whether seeking the world’s opinion is worth the trouble at all. One approach is to stop seeking anyone’s opinion altogether, a blanket ban on every kind of opinion. There’s a catch, though: not all opinions are negative. Some people compliment us too. Those compliments help us feel better about ourselves, and they reassure us that we’re doing something right. Opinions aren’t always judgments, though that’s the lens through which we habitually view them. They can also be feedback on our work, on our personality, on the areas where we need to improve. Opinions offer us the chance to course-correct. The trouble lies in the shape and form in which they arrive. Relying on people’s opinions for everything leaves us at their…