Self Improvement
Six Degrees of Separation (From Untrusted People)
It’s High Time To Maintain And Value Those Trusted Ones
It is tough to determine who to trust and who to avoid in a world filled with diverse people and characteristics. The phrase “six degrees of separation”, also known as the “six handshake rule”, suggests that we are all connected by no more than six relationships. However, these relationships can be with some people we don’t know or trust.
Although the concept of “six degrees of separation” is sometimes used to show our interconnectivity, it also emphasizes the risk involved in letting unreliable people into our closest circles. Maintaining and valuing those trustworthy ties that keep us secure is essential as the world gets increasingly digitally connected.
In recent years, there have been numerous cases of people being tricked by people they trusted. For instance, Twitter experienced a serious security breach in 2020 when a group of hackers broke into the accounts of famous users including Elon Musk and Barack Obama. The hackers persuaded Twitter staff to grant them access to the accounts using social engineering techniques, demonstrating how susceptible we can be when we let our guard down.
Of course, not all untrusted individuals have malicious intent. Sometimes, we simply make poor judgment calls and let people into our inner circles who don’t have our best interests at heart. Maybe it’s a co-worker who constantly gossips behind your back or a friend who always seems to be looking for a way to take advantage of you. Whatever the situation, it’s critical to spot the telltale symptoms of a dishonest person and take precautions to keep yourself safe.
Maintaining and Valuing The Trusted Ones
One of the best ways to maintain and value trusted relationships is by cultivating strong communication skills. Effective communication involves actively listening to others, being honest and transparent about your thoughts and feelings, and taking the time to build rapport and understanding with those around you. Effective communication allows you to develop more meaningful connections with the people in your life, which in turn makes it simpler to figure out who you can trust.
Another important aspect of building and maintaining trust is setting clear boundaries. This means being honest with yourself about what you will and won’t tolerate from others and communicating those boundaries clearly to the people in your life. You’re less likely to be abused or treated unfairly when you have clear boundaries, and you’ll be able to tell when someone is going too far and abusing your trust.
Of course, building and maintaining trust is a two-way street. It’s not just about what you can do to protect yourself; it’s also about being trustworthy yourself. This means being honest, reliable, and consistent in your actions and words, and taking responsibility when you make mistakes. When you demonstrate trustworthiness, you’re more likely to attract trustworthy people into your life, which can help you build a strong support system.
It’s all too simple to lose touch with those around us in today’s environment. With social media and other digital technologies dominating our lives, it can be easy to forget the importance of face-to-face interactions and personal connections. However, we must actively work to build trusting relationships with those around us if we hope to safeguard ourselves from dishonest people. This means prioritizing time with loved ones, making an effort to meet new people and expand our social circles, and being open and vulnerable with the people we trust.
Ultimately, the key to maintaining and valuing those trusted relationships is to recognize their importance. Our social relationships are the foundation of our emotional and psychological health, and when we take the time to strengthen those bonds, we may create a strong support system that can assist us in navigating the ups and downs of life. So, the next time you’re tempted to let an untrusted individual into your inner circle, remember the importance of maintaining and valuing those who have earned your trust. By doing so, you’ll be taking an important step toward protecting yourself.
Avoiding The Untrusted Ones
Unfortunately, not everyone in this world can be trusted. It’s a sad but true reality. It’s crucial to be aware of this fact and take measures to protect ourselves from untrustworthy individuals.
We might think we are safe from danger, surrounded by our friends and family, but it only takes one person to bring us into harm’s way. A simple connection through a friend, a coworker, or a neighbor can lead us to an untrusted person.
As a result, it’s crucial to exercise caution and refrain from disclosing too much information to strangers or unreliable sources. Connecting with people around the world is now simpler than ever thanks to social media, but it’s important to be aware of the dangers of disclosing personal information online.
Moreover, we should always trust our instincts. If something or someone seems off, it’s better to be safe than sorry. It’s better to walk away from a situation that doesn’t feel right than to put ourselves in harm’s way. Coming up, I will share with you my prepared strategies to defend ourselves from untrusted people.
The Six Strategies
Defending ourselves from untrusted people, even those who are close to us, requires setting boundaries, learning to say “no”, practicing self-care, trusting our instincts, keeping personal information private, and surrounding ourselves with positive influences. By using these six (6) summarized strategies below, we can protect ourselves and maintain our integrity.
(Full disclaimer, I’m not an expert self-help personality or some sort of a professional. I just enjoy writing articles about self-improvement having a theme about information technology. I feel like by doing these kinds of blog, they will also help my own self-improvement pathway as well.)
- Set boundaries: It’s important to establish clear boundaries with others, especially those who have shown untrustworthy behavior. Be firm and communicate your limits. When someone asks you to do something that makes you uncomfortable, don’t be scared to say no.
- Learn to say “no”: Saying “no” can be challenging, but it’s a necessary ability to have when interacting with dishonest people. It can also help protect your time, your energy, and your resources.
- Practice self-care: Taking care of ourselves is crucial when dealing with untrustworthy people. Make sure to prioritize your physical and mental health by getting enough sleep, exercise, and nutrition. Also, consider activities that help reduce stress, such as meditation, yoga, or spending time with loved ones.
- Trust your instincts: If something or someone doesn’t feel right, trust your instincts. Our instincts are often right, and listening to them is important. Stay away from anything that makes you feel unpleasant or uncertain and err on the side of caution.
- Keep your personal information private: Never divulge personal information to persons you don’t know or trust. Keep your social media sharing to a minimum and avoid disclosing important information like your bank account information or social security number.
- Surround yourself with positive influences: Finally, surround yourself with people who positively influence your life. This can include family members, close friends, or colleagues who have earned your trust. Building relationships with trustworthy individuals can help protect you from the negative influences of untrustworthy people.
It’s critical to keep in mind that, despite the possibility of some dishonest people, the world also contains lots of trustworthy and honorable people. It’s important to approach each situation with caution and use good judgment, but it’s equally important to maintain trust and build relationships with those who have earned it.
Final Thoughts
Yes, not everyone can be trusted, and we should exercise caution and be aware of the dangers when interacting with strangers or people we don’t trust. Remember, it only takes one connection to bring us into harm’s way, so it’s crucial to be mindful of the people we surround ourselves with and the information we share with them.
In addition to that, valuing and maintaining the trusted people in our lives is crucial for our overall well-being and happiness. By prioritizing quality time, active listening, celebration, gratitude, support, and authenticity, we can build stronger relationships with the people we care about. These human ways of connecting with others are not only beneficial for our relationships but also for our mental health and overall life satisfaction. ✦
“Let us take the time to appreciate the people who matter most to us and make an effort to maintain the meaningful connections we have in our lives.”
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© 2023 • Ryan Michael Fabayos
