#80-How Influencers & Gurus Exploit Your Emotional Blind Spots?

At the outset, I will say few things.

Fiest, that worthy causes like ‘ Eliminating Discrimination against any human in any form’ & ‘Solving Climate Change’, & ‘Helping all human beings and animals’ are three causes I respect the most.

Second, there are good teachers and preachers too, but 99% of those you see on social media are fake and only thriving on an active PR engine. They will not be able to handle debates, so they keep a one way communication

The world is not a perfect place and the right attention must be given to the important causes. While the causes may be genuine, but people promoting them often are not genuine people.

I am not against motivation and EQ, however, I respect intelligent inspiration and discipline more.

Have you ever wondered how so many influencers and self-proclaimed gurus attain millions of followers?

They knowingly or unintentionally exploit the emotional blind spots-triggers and fears that people have.

What are emotional blindspots?

I define emotional blindspots as ‘triggers and fears that people have about themselves or the world around them. Since they are blindspots an active awareness around these triggers and fears is missing. They come in many forms:

1. Writing about a BAD-BOSS or manager- 90–95% of the employees will have some emotional episode that can be exploited by a clever quotation
2. All Stories with emotional release and no data- Most of the stories shared by them are well-crafted stories with absolute or no data points. Their personal story will not talk about them, because they do not have any results to show. Their personal stories usually talk about ‘someone they know or met.
3. Victim of rejection or failure- They will write stories that talk about how they have been rejected few times, and faced injustice. If your try to write or speak sense, then you will be labeled as ‘them’ by using your gender, race, or income status.
4. Superiority Complex or Guru- They will have an opinion about everything in life and preach it like the voice of the divine. Do not learn about business or married life from a ‘Guru’ who has no idea. You may take the message, but do not accept it blindly.
5. Certainty does not mean they are right- The guy telling you how to live a good life- may be a total idiot speaking with certainty.
6. Viral Views and followers mean nothing- 1 million views on social media does not mean much unless you know who the viewers are? Sensational thumbnails telling you the number of views (over 5+ million views) is just hooks and click-baits.
7. Get rich Pyramid Schemes: 99.9% of the online, 5–6 figure income promising Gurus are fake. They are poor people trying to sell you a 2.99 USD book or a 5.99 USD or 9.99 USD or even a free seminar
8. It is okay to be lazy, depressed, and fail- There is no sin in failing after trying. The problem is when people who do not try start talking about the subject of success and failure.
9. ‘Something is Missing’ from your relationships, career- They will always make you feel that something is missing from your life. Their message is you deserve abundance, better quality health, relationship, and money. Yes, you do deserve it if you work from them. If you are happy and content better to stay away from motivational gurus.

We all can improve, and that can be done through disciplined action and without any over-emotional input. Try intelligent inspiration.

As a rational being try to believe more in the ‘Law of Quality-Action’ rather than the ‘Law of Attraction’. Do Good and bless everyone, life will be good.

How to Recognize these people? Look for Rationality, Credibility, Solution, Data & Incentive (RCSDI Framework)

1. Rationality-They usually write posts that are emotional outbursts on topics like bad bosses, recruiters.
2. Credibility and Expertise-Check if the person telling you about the job search/cracking interview knows anything about the process from experience? If you see ‘story-teller, ‘influencer’, modified names with prefix and suffix — ‘Gurus and Das kind’ word in the description of the person that is the first red flag.
3. Solution-oriented- Are they giving you some solution in their posts, or only crying out loudly and cursing others?
4. Data points- How many data points their story has. What is the end purpose of their story?
5. Incentive- Are they selling you some pyramid scheme or online course that appears to be a lift-off from a western motivational speaker? Why are they doing what they are doing is also a good question to ask once in a while. Do not believe their version of how they got enlightenment.

Example of a mental health campaign: Look for teachers who create content about what is correct and good in the long run.

Incomplete but emotionally appealing- “It is okay to not be okay”

Correct and Good one that leads to progress once short-term ends.- “It is okay to not be okay- in the short run”.

It is important to be aware of mental health and okay to experience anxiety in the short run. However, do not make it a permanent habit in an attempt to get attention.

Be aware of your mental, emotional and physical health.

Take charge of things and speak to smart and kind people who can help. Build good habits and discipline.

Do not fall into the trap of popular #hastags.

Most of the hashtags and #campaigns have been created by social media influencers trying to be popular by exploiting your emotional blind spots.

Best regards,

Sidhartha Sharma

I am not against motivation and EQ, however, I respect intelligent inspiration and discipline more.