So often, I find myself walking the line between rational thinking and sounding like a conspiracy theorist when I talk about how people strategize to get ahead. But the truth is, people are actually very predictable—we follow systems and social expectations almost without thinking. Look at how we drive; we don’t randomly swerve into the other lane, even though technically, nothing is stopping us.

And yet, so many of us hold back from doing things that could move us forward—not because others are actually thinking about us, but because we believe they are. That fear of judgment is one of the most powerful forces that stop people from being productive, taking risks, and doing innovative things. We spend so much time worrying about how others will perceive us that we don’t actually take action.

But here’s the truth: people are deeply preoccupied with themselves. No one is thinking about you as much as you think they are. And yet, that fear is so strong that it can keep you from doing anything that matters. The irony? Not taking action is still a choice. So why not choose to do something that moves you forward? If you’re feeling stuck, it’s probably not because you lack ideas or ability—it’s because you’re afraid of what people might think. But what if you stopped caring? What if you just did the thing? You’d be surprised at how much you can accomplish when you stop holding yourself back.