How the “Pronoia Effect” Helps You Bring Your Most Authentic Self to the Party
“He who is not everyday conquering some fear has not learned the secret of life.”
— Ralph Waldo Emerson
One of the hardest parts of building in public is fear.
Fear of what other people think. Fear that what you will say won’t resonate. Fear that they will disagree and won’t like you. Fear that no one will even care.
This fear or even paranoia, can often stop you from producing work or limit what you are really capable of.
If you are paranoid and think that people don’t like you it’s going to bring out a bad side of you. It’s hard to create from an authentic place.
Psychologist and author Adam Grant has an amazing idea to help you get past this in work and in life. He calls it “Pronoia”. Pronoia is the delusional belief that other people are plotting your well-being.
“That they’re going around behind your back and saying exceptionally glowing things about you. The great thing about a culture of givers is that’s not a delusion — it’s reality. I want to live in a world where givers succeed, and I hope you will help me create that world.”
I did some quick experiments and the results were instantly outstanding. When writing, write to an audience who in your mind loves you.
When you walk into a room of people, walk in thinking that everyone has been saying amazing things about you before you got there. When I tried this, I walked into a room already smiling.
Conversations came so much easier. I found myself more interested in other people because my guard was instantly down.
So over to you. I challenge you to try this once today whether you are going to meet a group of people, posting on Twitter or a blog post, or just sending out an email.
I think you will be surprised by the results.
For more tips on marketing strategy and design follow me on Twitter @MentalWeapons or check out https://sleek.bio/max
