Peter and Jean have two kids and live in a modest suburban neighborhood.  The children are in grade school and both Peter and Jean work.  Like most Americans, they have a very comfortable life.  Also like many people, Peter and Jean are concerned about the impression they make on others.

Peter and Jean feel as if they are in competition with their friends and neighbors.  From the cars they buy to the activities their children are involved in, Peter and Jean are constantly concerned with how they compare to other people.  The clothes they wear, where they go on vacation, the way their home is decorated, and who they socialize with are all carefully chosen to be impressive.

Rather than just doing their own thing, Peter and Jean are constantly concerned about how they are viewed.  Whatever their own needs and aspirations might have once been have been replaced by their desire to impress.

It's easy to get caught up being concerned about how we are seen by others.  All of us want to be accepted and thought well of.  We think that if others are impressed, they will look up to and think more of us.

Whether or not someone is impressed by you doesn't matter.  Regardless of who you are, what you do, what you own, or how much money you have, some people may be impressed, others won't care, and some may even have a negative impression of you.

Fads and trends exist because of those who are concerned about how they are perceived.  They feel that if they have the latest and greatest people will be impressed.  As soon as something is considered out of date, they abandon it in favor of the latest replacement.

Do you really care about what other people do in their quest to impress you?  Does it matter to you what someone else has or does?  Perhaps you may occasionally be envious.  More often, you are probably too busy with your own life to be concerned about how another person is living.  You have likely been in situations where you thought someone who was trying to impress you was trying to show off or was all wrapped up in their ego.

Since you aren't really impressed by what other people do, why be concerned about whether or not anyone is impressed by you?  You should be focused on what you want along with what makes you happy.  Don't worry about what others think about you.  It doesn't matter at all. 

What have you accomplished when you impress someone with what you own?  Are you going to be happier?  Will your life be better?  Often, those who have the goal of impressing others are insecure, always worried that they will be upstaged.  This creates unneeded stress and anxiety.

That being said, there is nothing wrong if people are impressed by who you are or the way you act.  When you are a good person and live in a way that benefits others you needn't be concerned about anything else.  The most impressive people are those who follow their convictions without seeking adulation. 

Being humble, striving to be the best person you can be while constantly working to improve yourself, and always being considerate of others are impressive character traits.  These attributes are never out dated.

Enjoy life.  Nothing is lost if some people shun you because you don't have what they consider an impressive lifestyle.  People worth associating with are attracted to you for who you are.  They will be there regardless of what you have.

NOW AVAILABLE:  "Dare to Live Without Limits," the book.  Visit www.BryanGolden.com or your bookstore. Bryan is a management consultant, motivational speaker, author, and adjunct professor. E-mail Bryan at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or write him c/o this paper.  2007 Bryan Golden

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