When You Think For Yourself or Follow The Crowd

Makes a Smart Potion: Herd Mentality - Should You Do What Others Are Doing Are you someone who follows trends?

 Are you afraid of doing things on your own?

 Do you find yourself blindly supporting a person or movement? Do you rarely or never question authority?

 If you're just nodding your head and thinking yes to these questions, you probably suffer from a herd mentality. Now, it is common to look at others and see what they are doing when making decisions. Oftentimes, people go along with what other people are doing just to fit in and avoid ridicule and feel like they are being left out. Other times, it's simply because they don't know what they're doing, and well, since other people do, it must be worth it. Otherwise, why would they do that, right? The thing is, just because everyone else is doing something, doesn't automatically mean it's the right thing for you. Certainly, there are many things we collectively agree to follow that is best for all of us, such as the rules of the road while driving. Nobody would disagree with that. But with so many other things, the various pressures around us blind us, people tell us what's best for us and what we should do, at times, without any real advantage. When it comes to making a decision, it is in your best interest to consider whether following others is the best way or whether it can lead you down the wrong path. The steps in this video can help you find out!

Number 1 – Stop and Think 

It's easy to get caught up in what everyone else is doing. It doesn't require much thinking. You simply conform because you haven't looked at other possible options or sought out answers on your own. But when it comes to making decisions, mainly ones that can have a bigger impact on your health or wellbeing, you should stop and carefully think about the options. Unless you are in a building and there's afire where you need to quickly follow everyone to the closest exit, rather than immediately going with your first reaction, it may be wise to engage in some critical thinking. This extra effort will almost always result in a better choice; one that you are less likely to regret.

Number 2 – Look at The Available Information

 When we are hesitant, lack the knowledge to make a decision, or are unclear about the alternatives, we tend to just follow the crowd. However, taking the time to look for more objective facts, stats, and evaluations in addition to analyzing our perspectives, personal needs, morals, and values, can help better evaluate the situation. And you should bear in mind those objectives and individual sources of information when faced with a choice. And if factual information indicates that a particular option is not good and is, in fact, bad for you individually, then following the crowd is probably not the best decision.

Number 3 – Consider The Specific Situation 

Some decisions and decision-making scenarios are more individualistic, whereas others are more social. Likewise, sometimes our goals are better served by merging in with the group, and other times, going it alone may be more advantageous. Generally, we're weighing what's best for ourselves with what's best for others as well. So it’s always important to take the particular situation into account. If you have enough information to choose your own and do not require group agreement, then go ahead, and make your decision. And if you're unsure about something or need the help of others to get something done, then listening to other people's opinions could be a better option.

Number 4 - Look for multiple points of view

 Since taking a one-sided approach to things often leads to biased and weak decisions, it is generally best to evaluate your choices and decisions from different angles. The same is true for listening to opinions from others. While it may seem like everyone is doing that thing you're thinking of doing, it probably isn't; Something you will discover if you are just open-minded and looking for multiple perspectives. Before following the advice or making choices for any group of people, it can be a good idea to look at the others outside doing their work, especially if they are going in the opposite direction! Oftentimes, we can learn more from those who make decisions that fundamentally conflict with our favorite group or group, especially about the negative consequences of choices we may not be aware of. Herd behavior can easily be influenced solely based on emotion rather than rationality. But, this innate desire to fit in with a crowd may impair our ability to make good decisions. Instead of letting people dictate your profile, your thoughts, feelings, and actions remain aware of the ways other people are likely to influence your choices. Before making decisions, take some time to determine whether the choices you make are truly yours. At the end of the day, the popular decision is not always the right person, and you have to have the courage to stand up for yourself and do what's right for you.

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