Eventually, you'll have to break it to them plainly: No one knows you better than you know yourself.
You really have to hand it to some people. They speak with such verve and self-confidence that it's hard not to buy into their every word and do exactly as they say.
To be fair, I'm not saying that their advice should never be welcome. Sometimes people really do have valuable wisdom to impart, especially if talking to younger folks seeking some guidance.
The problem is when they try to make decisions for us. They push us to leave our doctor for theirs, buy our next car at their preferred dealership, or even date someone whom they're sure we'll have an instant connection with.
There's clearly a fine line between being helpful and meddling in someone else's business.
People can make whatever assumptions they like, but at the end of the day, they can't read your mind. They can get a sense of who you are based on your quirks, hobbies, and the overall demeanor you project in public or private, but that still doesn't give them any license to say they know you well -- let alone know you better than you know yourself.
As I've emphasized in prior posts, people will sometimes impose their own beliefs and views on us in an effort to validate the decisions they've made in their lives. What better way to attain that validation than by goading others to follow their advice?
Let people know that, although you appreciate their advice, you're totally capable of making your own decisions. There's a reason they say we should always "follow our gut." It's because, at the end of the day, only you know what truly makes you happy -- whether in your love life or career -- and what doesn't.
What works for someone else may not work for you. We all have disparate moods, attitudes, preferences, and personalities. In the grand scheme of things, that's what makes us unique -- what makes us who we are -- and no one will ever know who we are better than ourselves.
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