The Pandemic Need For Attention

8/2/2020

Ah yes, let's talk about this.

Recently I was taking my daughter for blood work. She hates getting her blood drawn. In an effort to calm her down, the phlebotomist was asking her general questions to take her mind off the grueling task on hand. One of the questions was "Are you looking forward to going back to school?"

To which, my daughter responded "I'm partial either way."

Phlebotomist: "Well aren't you looking forward to socializing with your friends?"

My daughter's response: "It's not that I don't like socializing or getting the attention received, it's that I don't readily, or necessarily need it. I'm okay with either."

I couldn't have been prouder of that girl when she said those words.

Let's take a quick look at this....
This is a true pandemic throughout the world today. It has spread worldwide and continues to infect the youth who use social media platforms. The problem is the after effects that this leaves behind. Individuals with feelings of insignificance tend to use platforms as a way to gain attention and, quite frankly, we all see the desperation behind it.

Not only are people now judgmental of one another, they are also trying to compete with each other's lifestyles. It seems that you can literally see the competition between people if you pay close attention. Not just with ordinary people, with celebrities as well. One does, a group follows. All the while taking those who follow's credibility with them.

It's very entertaining to say the least. Probably the reason why I haven't completely deleted all social media platforms yet. The idea did cross my mind, but I decided not to completely write off this form of entertainment quite yet.

Why are people so obsessed with gaining attention?
I started this article thinking that I have already addressed this in a previous article written. To my surprise, I haven't.

People search for attention for many reasons. Some are justified, like getting medical attention when warranted, or getting psychological help when life gets to be too much. However, the majority of attention seeking individuals strive for this as a means of gaining what they are not receiving in their lives outside of social platforms. They are continuously ignored at work and at home, or are outright bored with their lives.

Others use social media platforms as a way to promote their work, often submitting to the lowest means. The desperation in their posts are palpable. While gaining attention, the individual will then lose respect, and now cannot necessarily be taken seriously when doing business. The way their business was represented during the time of desperation will continue to precede any future negotiations with perspective employers and buyers.

I am missing another obvious reason why people use social media. This may be used to display an individual's success in the face of those who did not believe them on their journey, or at some point caused the user physiological pain. Simply put, people looking for attention may be trying to "one up" the person who originally hurt them. They literally stalk the other person on these platforms, and then try to gain their attention by posting something a little better than the other person's post. The user than has position themselves squarely in an imaginary battle of competition with the other person, without validation as to whether the person is even paying attention to what's going on.

This is amusing to me *sips coffee and raises an eyebrow.* I challenge you to ask yourself if you are engaged in the above mentioned scenario if this indeed is the best use of your time.

When is seeking attention warranted? (Otherwise known as the right kind of attention)
So clearly some situations do warrant attention. As mentioned earlier in this article, there are instances that attention is warranted or necessary. Those include medical conditions that without care could lead to physical disabilities or even death. Psychological attention may be warranted for those who are constantly under stress or pressure and require help with getting or receiving coping mechanisms.

Social platform use can also be a great outlet for stress. Diversions are sometimes needed in order to regain some insight to oneself. If they weren't, then we would not be encouraged to take breaks, or lunches at work. There is nothing wrong with requiring breaks from something that has completely engrossed your full attention.

Social media platforms also help you find likeminded individuals who share the same values and experiences. Your peers can help you vent out your day's stress, and could also provide insight into potential solutions to problems. There is strength in numbers and there is also strength in a diversified thought process gained from talking to one another.

While before I mentioned negative forms of gaining attention to your business on social media, there is also a positive side. The use of social media could definitely benefit your business if used correctly. Do not allow yourself to fall victim to desperate tactics. This could be off-putting to the consumer and could backfire significantly. Instead, appeal to people and their nature to forget. Yes, I wrote that.

If you continuously place your new product in their face, people grow tire easily of your efforts. Therefore you are forced to "up" your approach. Instead, be subtle. Bring your business to light sparingly but continuously over a projected period of time. Your advertising will seem new, but it really won't be. The downfall would be that it takes time to gain traction this way. However, the positive outcome will be greater in the long run.

While receiving attention does feel good, it is not long lasting when gained incorrectly or if it comes from the wrong circumstances. I challenge you reader, to take a hard, objective look at yourself. See what the motive behind your search for attention really is, and how you can turn around the rationale to become a positive and fulfilling one.

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The Pandemic Need For Attention

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