This isn't meant to be rude or dismissive, but sometimes you simply need to stop caring about others' opinions.
Take ownership of your decisions and actions.
If half the population falls below average in most areas, why give weight to random judgments? It could just be someone on a power trip.
Dismiss them.
This mindset keeps you laser focused on your path, ignoring opinions that don't serve you.
Explaining the Protocol
The "fuck what they think" protocol involves prioritising your goals, values, and judgment above external criticism or unsolicited advice.
It's like wearing noise canceling headphones on public transport, tuning out irrelevant chatter to stay on track.
Why it's spirit building
This approach fosters resilience in key ways:
- Ignores negativity: It prevents others' bad moods or biases from eroding your confidence.
- Conserves energy: You avoid the emotional drain of unhelpful feedback.
- Maintains focus: It aligns your efforts with your priorities, not external expectations.
Note: This doesn't mean rejecting all feedback—discern what's valuable versus mere noise.
When it's appropriate to use this protocol
Apply it in scenarios like:
- Unreasonable, motive-driven harshness that's more personal attack than constructive input.
- Dealing with social media trolls or those who lack understanding of your situation.
- Pressure from friends or family to conform to their ideas of success, status, or approach.
If it's clearly unhelpful, feel free to dismiss it.
How to put it into action
Here's a step-by-step guide to adopting this mindset:
- Define your own success Clarify what you want and why it matters. Document it. With a solid vision, irrelevant opinions lose their power.
- Apply a feedback filter Evaluate opinions critically: Is this constructive and useful, or just noise? If it's the latter, disregard it.
- Protect your headspace Set boundaries—no need to debate every critique. Respond politely with "Thanks, but I've got this." Shut down draining discussions firmly.
- Anchor in your values Remind yourself of what you stand for. When criticism arises, reconnect with your "why." State it clearly if needed; if they still don't get it, let it go.
- Practice mental detachment Prioritise your progress over seeking approval. It's not about isolation—it's about not letting others define your value.
Conclusion
This protocol is empowering, but don't block out everything.
Trusted constructive criticism can refine your skills.
The key is distinguishing uplifting input from distracting noise—fine-tune that filter.