Q: You have your own opinions and ideas, and it's time to start sharing them with the rest of the world. Hiding behind popular opinion is a good way to fit in, but it won't make you remarkable.  The moment you surrender your individuality, you surrender your ability to rise above the crowd. Of course, that doesn't mean you should rock the boat for no reason. You don't need to argue against popular opinion if you honestly agree with it, and even when you do need to speak out, there are often ways to do so with tact that can help you avoid making unnecessary enemies. Instead of turning away and hardening your heart to the wrongs you see, let yourself be moved by those problems. It's easy to grow numb to misconduct. Standing against it is far more extraordinary. You might find yourself bothered by the abuse of power within your workplace or by the abuse of the powerless worldwide. Either way, when you choose to stand and fight back against that which is wrong, you take the first step toward a positive change that the average person is unwilling to commit to. Instead of accepting the status quo, you should be questioning everything about it. The current approach to something may or may not be the best approach, but you won't know for sure until you take the time to examine it.  Some questions you may need to ask can include:  Why does this rule or standard exist? What are the consequences of ignoring this rule or standard? What alternative options exist, and why are those options rarely/never used?   Answer these questions honestly, understanding that you may not like all of the answers. An honest understanding of yourself and the world around you will provide you with the best perspective from which to work. You already have your own unique set of abilities and interests. Look for ways to apply them to your life. When you love the work you do and have a talent for doing it, you'll usually find yourself going further than you would while doing something you felt indifference toward. Regardless of what has happened in the past, you need to start having more faith in your abilities and decisions. If you can't trust yourself, you will never be able to move past mediocrity. Trusting yourself can inspire others to trust you, too. If you project an image of uncertainty, others may pass you by and offer opportunities for growth and success to other, more confident people.
A: Speak your mind. Let yourself be moved. Question everything. Use your talents and passions. Trust yourself.

Q: Sometimes, trying to suppress your worries seems to just make them worse. So, don't try to ignore your worries. When they pop into your head, accept them, but then try to move on.  It is hard to avoid thinking about something you are actively trying not to think about.  Writing your worries down or setting a designated "worry time" can be very helpful in letting them pass. When you do think about your worries, a good way to process them is to categorize them. Specifically, for each try to determine the following:   Is this problem one you can solve, or not? If a worry is about a problem you have the power to fix, the best remedy may be to start fixing it. Once you have a plan to fix the problem, you will be less worried. If you cannot solve the problem, accept it, work through it and move on.    Is this worry about something that is likely, or unlikely, to happen? A worry about something that is likely to happen may indeed be troubling. On the other hand, if you decide it is not likely to occur, this can be a first step in letting that worry go.   Is this worry about something about something really bad, or not? Think about what it is that you are worried might happen. If it did occur, how bad would it really be? Most things we worry about aren't actually that terrible. If you decide it wouldn't be a catastrophe, this can help you let go. That's doubly true if it also isn't that likely to happen!  Throughout this process, try to think rationally. Ask yourself what evidence you have that your worry is a realistic one. Think about what you might tell a friend who had the same worry. Try to imagine the most likely outcome, rather than the worst-case scenario. If there is a specific worry that bothers you often, you can try to make it boring, so your brain will return to it less often. Do this by repeating it in your head again and again for several minutes. For example, if you worry that you might get in a car accident, repeat in your head the words "I might get in a car accident, I might get in a car accident." In the short term, this may increase you anxiety. But, after a little while, the words will lose their power and become boring to you. Chances are, they'll stop popping up in your mind so often after that. An important change in your thinking is accepting that life is unpredictable and imperfect. This is key to stopping worries in the long term. A good place to start this change is with a writing exercise. Jot down your answers to these questions:  Is it possible to be certain about everything that might happen? In what way is needing certainty helpful to you? Do you tend to predict bad things will happen just because you are uncertain? Is that reasonable? Can you live with the possibility that a bad thing might happen, if that outcome is not likely? When worries come to mind, try to remind yourself of your answers to these questions. Emotions can be contagious. If you spend a lot of time with other worriers, or people who make you anxious, you may want to reconsider how much time you are spending with those people.  Spend some time thinking about the people you spend time with, and how they affect you. It may even be helpful to keep a "worry diary" that tracks when you worry most. If you find that it's right after seeing a certain person, you may decided you need to spend less time with him or her. Or, you might decide there are certain topics you don't wish to discuss with this person any more. Changing your social circle can change the way you think. Most worries rise from fears about the future, rather than our immediate surroundings. Focusing on you surroundings and the moment you are experiencing can be a good way to shut down worries. Some people recommend a "stop, look, listen" technique. In this approach, when you are worrying, stop and recognize the worry. Take a deep breath. Then, look at your surroundings. Spend five minutes focusing on the details of the world around you. As you do so, speak calmly and reassure yourself that things will work out.
A:
Recognize your worries and move on. Categorize and challenge your worries. Make your worries boring. Accept uncertainty and imperfection. Think about social influences. Live in the moment.