If I were to conduct a survey asking people to answer whether or not they enjoy being overlooked in any context or situation, I think I would successfully hypothesize, well in advance, that the overwhelming majority of people would answer no.
I guess I could be wrong, but I really don’t think I am.
Being ignored is not a wonderful feeling, speaking from experience, but, sadly, it is one that most of us will probably experience at some point or another in life. We can’t please everyone, despite our best intentions, and sometimes, for no fault of our own, people might not like us, and therefore treat us with disdain.
Naturally, it is quite easy to fall into the trap of believing we deserve this lack of recognition, and perhaps, in some instances, we do. Speaking generally, however, and assuming we are not at fault for being overlooked, one of the best things I have learned in my life when it comes to dealing with being neglected is to provide every reason not to be.
Rather than getting down on ourselves and slowly falling victim to the nasty narrative in our mind telling us we can’t change this outcome, I believe the most effective approach to being forgotten is to work harder and fail to give anyone any reason to forget. Granted, this might not be as simple as it sounds, depending on various factors; but, if there is an opportunity to prove someone wrong and force them to question their judgment of you, seize it, and do so wholeheartedly.
If you know in your heart you’ve earned your place at the table, do not allow anyone to tell you differently. If anything, maybe your spot at the table has fallen into the background a wee bit, but don’t be hesitant to bring it right back to the front line, in full view.
Photo by Mohammad Mardani on Unsplash
ontheedgeofeverything 