Apr 15, 2023

The Spotlight Effect: What You Need to Know

The Spotlight Effect is a psychological phenomenon where we overestimate the degree to which other people are noticing our actions, behaviors, or appearance. Learn two simple takeaways about this phenomenon and why it's important to understand.

PSYCHOLOGY SELF EMOTIONS

Sahil Bloom

Exploring my curiosity and sharing what I learn along the way. Gave up a grand slam on ESPN in 2012 and still waiting for it to land.

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Harsh Truth: Most people don't really care about you.

The Spotlight Effect:
— Sahil Bloom (@SahilBloom) April 15, 2023
The Spotlight Effect is a psychological phenomenon where we overestimate the degree to which other people are noticing our actions, behaviors, or appearance.

It's an egocentric bias—we see everything through a "Player 1" lens and believe our perspective is the only perspective.
— Sahil Bloom (@SahilBloom) April 15, 2023
The phrase Spotlight Effect was coined by a group of psychologists in 2000.

They asked a student to wear an embarrassing shirt (with Barry Manilow on it) and estimate how many of their classmates noticed the outfit.

The student estimated 50%, when in reality only 25% did.
— Sahil Bloom (@SahilBloom) April 15, 2023
Two simple takeaways:

1. We think everyone is staring and noticing us, but they aren't.

2. Even if they are, they quickly forget about it.

The Spotlight Effect explains why we feel that there is a spotlight shining on us in public and social situations.
— Sahil Bloom (@SahilBloom) April 15, 2023
This has negative consequences in our lives:

• Pre-conditioned fear of placing yourself in "spotlight situations" means you shrink yourself down.

• Self-consciousness can manifest as self-centeredness.

• Avoidance of doing what makes you happy due to fear of judgement.
— Sahil Bloom (@SahilBloom) April 15, 2023
We may never turn it off completely, but we could all benefit from dimming the spotlight...

Three Spotlight Dimming Strategies:
— Sahil Bloom (@SahilBloom) April 15, 2023
Spotlight Dimming Strategy: Awareness

The first step is always awareness.

Understand that others are never as tuned into you as you are.

Even if they do notice you, they quickly forget about it, as they're just focused on themselves.

We are biologically selfish creatures!
— Sahil Bloom (@SahilBloom) April 15, 2023
Spotlight Dimming Strategy: Be Interested

Most people strive to be interesting—to impress people.

Instead, focus on being interested.

Ask questions, listen, and engage.

This eases your own tension, gets others talking, and builds up your confidence in a new social situation.
— Sahil Bloom (@SahilBloom) April 15, 2023
Spotlight Dimming Strategy: "So What?"

Whenever I think about a future spotlight situation, I confront my fears about what could go wrong.

I then ask, "so what?" about that fear becoming reality.

Usually it isn't all that bad.

"We suffer more in imagination than in reality."
— Sahil Bloom (@SahilBloom) April 15, 2023
There are two big mistakes in life:

1. Worrying about what other people think about you.

2. Believing that other people think about you in the first place.

Fight back. Stop worrying about what others think, be yourself, and live according to your values.pic.twitter.com/CRd1bXLHmH
— Sahil Bloom (@SahilBloom) April 15, 2023
There’s so much hidden talent out there in the world that has yet to be revealed because of fear of judgement from others.

Overcoming the Spotlight Effect is the way that this talent gets unlocked.

Follow me @SahilBloom for more and RT the first tweet below to share it! https://t.co/CMWzjr5SaT
— Sahil Bloom (@SahilBloom) April 15, 2023
I have a recurring “spotlight” nightmare that I trace back to my baseball days:

I’m on the field in a big situation, with all eyes on me, and realize I've forgotten how to throw the ball.

The eyes of the entire stadium bear down on me and I'm paralyzed by fear.

It sucks.
— Sahil Bloom (@SahilBloom) April 15, 2023
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— Sahil Bloom (@SahilBloom) April 15, 2023
Basically, the Spotlight Effect says we think people care about us WAY MORE than they actually do.

I used to worry about every little thing I did, thinking that people would scrutinize or judge me.

This places a huge and unnecessary drag on growth.
— Sahil Bloom (@SahilBloom) April 15, 2023