Have you ever tripped or fell and instantly looked around in embarrassment? No fear of the pain or damage possibly done but an unhealthy amount of shame and humiliation because the world saw it, right? Most likely, you are incorrect. The people who did see it either didn’t care or got a small laugh out of it and moved on. We react like the world recorded it and it’ll be front-page news for the next couple of months. This is the spotlight effect.
A phenomenon where people feel they are being noticed more than they are. This can be noticed in up and coming celebrities or ones on the way down also acting as if they are what they see as the next step or who they were a couple of steps ago. It’s a common human trait but we need to prevent it from harming us. The spotlight effect can cause unwarranted stress which may hinder our progress. It can also rub others the wrong way. It can cause behavior that leans toward delusional. How can we prevent this? What steps are needed? How do we recognize this in ourselves?
It takes a little humility to prevent the spotlight effect from hurting you. At times, it’s no big deal like the temporary embarrassment of a trip or fall but it can be crisis level like needing social media to fill that need of attention you think you are getting and/or deserve. Social media can hurt your feelings. If you think you are this super cool, important person social media will either confirm it or strongly deny it. Most of the time it is the latter. You put yourself out there believing you are the best at what you do. It can be your business, your talent, or just you selling yourself. The spotlight effect states you are already a star. Everyone is waiting for you to share your “fill in the blank” with the world. The thing is there are hundreds of thousands, if not millions of people with the same belief.
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Logic says someone is wrong, correct? Unfortunately, life says 99% of us are wrong. This is not to deter you but to allow the building of humility. Acknowledging people are not paying attention to you, can help in giving you time to hone your craft. It will enable you to make mistakes without beating yourself up or being embarrassed because you understand no one is watching. You do this until people began to watch. This starts to justify the spotlight effect but because of the humility and honed skills you’ve gained, it doesn’t get out hand.
You are aware of the competition. You are aware the eyes are actually on you this time around but you are more equipped to handle the attention. You are self-assured. You can trip and fall in front of people literally or figuratively and keep on moving. Fall on stage and keeping the show going. Release a product, it not be successful and immediately work on your next one. Release a video online and see it has less than 10 views and get excited about the 11th. These things break a lot of people because they don’t know of the spotlight effect or how to prepare to battle it. The spotlight effect can be used to your advantage.
In closing, no one knows you. They are not watching. They are not interested but that is because they don’t know any better. You can change that. Do you feel people are always watching you? Use that. Be your best self at all times. Put on a show even if no one is watching. Dress to impress. Stick your chest out. Smile. You may be doing this for an imaginary audience now but with time, dedication, and perseverance this will not always be the case. Use it wisely, superstar.
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