5 ways to manage peer pressure

         Those who stand for nothing fall for anything. It is very important you know that you are totally responsible for the outcome of your life. Not even your parents, siblings or friends will be accountable. Live well!

The sojourn of every human on earth is personal, you need friends, peers etc. but never allow anyone influence your life in a negative way or make you take decisions you are not ready for. There is absolutely nothing wrong in having friends, (they form your peer), it is also a good thing when this peer influences your life. Let me cautiously state that influence can be both positive and negative. Peer pressure is pressure you put on yourself to fit in! _ Jeff Moore. The encouragement and influence you get from your friend is also referred to as peer pressure.

 

   In most cases, the dangers of peer pressure spread as wild as fire, these dangers have made people shift their attention from the good/advantages of peer pressure. Let me advice, it is never a good thing to run from friends because of peer pressure because being a lone ranger is worst. The truth remains that your friends will either influence you positively or negatively, because everyone respect the advice of their friends. The choice is yours! The SUA statistics have proven that about 81% of the youth agree that they care about what others think of them. It is also a fact that when you surround yourself with people that hype and support you, your goals are always achieved. About 20%- 30% of adolescents report systems of depression because of peer pressure. It is obvious that your peer group can make you or mar you.

How to manage peer pressure

ü Focus on yourself: You are the only beneficiary of the influence of your peer, it is important that you develop yourself (in your career, physically, spiritually & academically), identify what you want and never allow people decisions & opinions set the pace for your life. In improving yourself, you need core values. Examples are integrity, honesty, discipline & hard work etc. your peer must know you for who you are. Set boundaries and limits, also have vision, ambition and goals. They will make you concentrated and keep you off bad influence.

 

ü Have the right peer: The easiest way to be influenced is to be among the wrong set of people. Show me your friends and I will tell you who you are. There is no good person that survive amidst bad people. you can’t have vision and your peer is visionless, you can’t be honest and your peer are liars, if you don’t leave them you will join them.

ü Be assertive: The only way to stop been influenced is to be an influencer. You need to start making bold, self-assured statements and decisions. It is important you stop appearing to be indecisive, show your peer you know what you want and how to get it. This does not mean you cannot seek for advice; you only need to be bold at refusing wrong advices.

ü Don’t be a people pleaser: To be successful, you must stop pleasing people. Always stand for the right things irrespective of what people think or feel and prevent being tossed around by people.

 

 

ü Self-esteem: This is the confidence in one’s own self-worth. You must be confident about your person and your capabilities. Don’t be vile, weak or confuse. Be the smartest among your peer.

People willing to dilute themselves for the sake of others is one of the great tragedies of our time. Stop allowing others define you and set the pace for your life. Get out there, be your best and live your best. Make every day count and you will see how exponentially more exciting, thrilling, successful, happy and full your life will be.

Be who you are and not who the world wants you to be!