外刊精读 ｜ 你是缺乏主见的人吗？

　　

　　今天是小芳老师陪你精读外刊的第123天

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　　When it comes to first impressions, we all want to make a good one. And that’s why we tend to focus on our best traits and qualities. However, we often fall into the trap of thinking that everything about us needs to be perfect. But that’s just unrealistic. We all have imperfections. It’s part of being human. And while it’s easy to believe that our ‘supposed flaws and imperfections’ make us less attractive, here are some that can actually make us seem more appealing to others:

　　Have you ever come across someone who seems to be easily influenced by others, struggles to make decisions, and quickly shifts their opinions? Or, do you feel confused or overwhelmed by life’s challenges and find yourself constantly questioning your choices? If so, then keep watching.

　　In this video, I’ll be discussing the signs of weak-mindedness so that you can learn to identify it and, overcome it. And while sometimes it can be somewhat challenging to recognize this trait in yourself or in someone you know, here are a few key signs to look out for:

　　#1 Giving in to Pressure Quickly

　　Someone who’s quick to give in to pressure is not a thinker; they just look for an easy way out. They often lack the self-confidence and strength of character to stand up for themselves and maintain their sense of self-worth. Instead, they try to please others by saying or doing things that they don’t want to do. And since they’re so easily swayed by others, this makes them easy targets for manipulation, which can lead to a feeling of helplessness and being taken advantage of.

　　#2 Obsessing Over Problems

　　While it’s easy to get caught up in day-to-day worries and concerns, obsessing over problems is certainly not a sign of strength. A strong-minded person sees a problem, and they try to fix it. A weak-minded person focuses on the problem and can’t see past it. They become so fixated on the issue that they can’t think of anything else and they lose sight of the bigger picture. Unfortunately, this narrow focus prevents them from being able to think critically and objectively and often leads to making poor decisions.

　　#3 Apologizing for Everything

　　Apologies can be a great way to show that you are sorry for something you may have done wrong. But apologizing for everything is a sign of weakness as it indicates a lack of self-confidence. When someone apologizes for everything, it’s because they feel insecure and uncertain, and lack the courage to stand up for themselves or their beliefs.

　　Apologizing for things that don’t require an apology can also be seen as an attempt to gain approval. This behavior can be damaging to relationships as others may not take you seriously or respect your opinions.

　　#4 Finding It Hard to Commit to a Goal

　　Setting and achieving goals requires willpower and determination to stay focused and committed to what you are trying to accomplish. But for some, this can be extremely difficult. When someone’s constantly struggling to commit to a goal, it can be a sign that they have a weak-minded approach. They tend to lack determination and may be too afraid of the hard work that comes with achieving a goal. As a result, they often give up before they even start and just settle for mediocrity.

　　#5 Seeking Frequent External Validation

　　We all want to feel appreciated, valued, and respected by others. But when the need for external validation becomes a frequent occurrence, it can be a sign of weakness. When someone is overly concerned with the opinions of others and relies too heavily on external validation, it usually means that they are unable to make decisions for themselves or take responsibility for their own actions. This can prevent personal growth and hinder the ability to take risks or step outside of their comfort zone.

　　#6 Always Being the Victim

　　You know that person who always seems to be complaining? The one who can’t wait to tell you about their challenges, but they never have any solutions? They’re always murmuring about how they just don’t get it, and how everything is so unfair… Those who tend to always view themselves as victims of their circumstances can quickly become overwhelmed and unable to take the necessary steps to create a better outcome. This can cause a general feeling of helplessness and a sense of powerlessness over their life.

　　#7 Being Consumed by Envy

　　Envy is a feeling of discontentment and bitterness toward another person because they have something that you don’t. It is an emotion that can be difficult to control and, if left unchecked, can consume your thoughts and actions. In fact, a person may become so focused on what someone else has, that they become blind to their own potential and ability to achieve similar results. Ultimately, being consumed by envy is a sign of weakness as it can lead to destructive behaviors, discourage personal growth, and hinder one’s own potential.

　　#8 Holding onto Resentment

　　It’s natural to feel hurt and pain when someone has wronged us. But, it’s not healthy to hold onto that resentment and let it fester as it can have negative consequences. When someone holds onto resentment, they are not allowing themselves the opportunity to grow and heal. Not only is this emotionally damaging, but it can also have physical health consequences. Studies have linked resentment to physical ailments such as high blood pressure, headaches and even an increased risk of coronary heart disease. And it’s also important to remember that holding onto resentment can damage relationships. If someone is constantly bitter and unwilling to forgive, it can be difficult for them to form and maintain meaningful relationships. This can cause feelings of isolation and loneliness which can further worsen emotional pain.

　　#9 Always Being Defensive

　　When someone is always defensive, it’s an indication that they are weak-minded. First of all, such individuals tend to be overly sensitive to criticism. They may become agitated or angry when someone offers them constructive feedback, rather than taking it in stride. This shows that they are more concerned with protecting their ego than with genuinely improving.

　　Second, people who are always defensive often take things personally. They can’t seem to separate themselves from the criticism and take it objectively, and this can cause a lot of unnecessary conflict.

　　Furthermore, a weak-minded person is usually closed off to new ideas. They may be resistant to change, and unwilling to consider different perspectives.

　　Everything considered, if you just pay close attention and take the time to observe behavior, whether it’s your own or someone else’s, you will likely be able to recognize the signs of weak-mindedness. Nevertheless, it’s important to remember that everyone is capable of overcoming their weaknesses, and with the right approach, a weak-minded person can become a strong-minded individual.

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　　单词

　　Weak-mindedness - 缺乏坚定心

　　Giving in to Pressure - 屈服于压力

　　Self-confidence - 自信心

　　Strength of Character - 性格力量

　　Manipulation - 操纵

　　Obsessing Over Problems - 纠结问题

　　Fixating - 牢牢执着

　　Apologizing - 道歉

　　Lack of Self-Confidence - 缺乏自信心

　　Seeking External Validation - 寻求外部认可

　　Personal Growth - 个人成长

　　Victimhood - 受害者意识

　　Envy - 嫉妒

　　Destructive Behaviors - 破坏性行为

　　Resentment - 怨恨

　　Emotional Pain - 情感痛苦

　　Defensive - 防御心强的

　　Closed-minded - 思想狭隘的

　　Conflict - 冲突

　　Constructive Feedback - 建设性反

　　长句

　　Have you ever come across someone who seems to be easily influenced by others, struggles to make decisions, and quickly shifts their opinions? Or, do you feel confused or overwhelmed by life’s challenges and find yourself constantly questioning your choices? If so, then keep watching.

　　这是一个由两个并列分句组成的复合句。第一个分句是由一个主语（you）和两个并列动词短语（come across和feel）构成的，动词短语中都包含了两个形容词性从句。第二个分句是一个由if引导的条件状语从句，包含两个主语从句和两个谓语动词短语（questioning和find）。

　　In this video, I’ll be discussing the signs of weak-mindedness so that you can learn to identify it and overcome it. And while sometimes it can be somewhat challenging to recognize this trait in yourself or in someone you know, here are a few key signs to look out for:

　　这是一个由三个并列分句组成的复合句。第一个分句是一个主从复合句，主语是“I”，谓语动词是“be discussing”。第二个分句是由“And while”引导的转折状语从句，包含一个主语从句和两个并列动词短语。第三个分句是一个主从复合句，主语是“here”，谓语动词是“are”，包含了一个动词不定式短语。整个句子结构较为复杂，包含了多个并列结构和从句。

　　回答问题

　　Reading Questions：

　　Which of the following is a sign of a weak-minded person?

　　A) Standing up for oneself

　　B) Obsessing over problems

　　C) Committing to a goal

　　D) Seeking internal validation

　　Why is apologizing for everything a sign of weakness?

　　A) It indicates a lack of self-confidence.

　　B) It shows strength of character.

　　C) It suggests an ability to stand up for oneself.

　　D) It signifies courage to take risks.

　　What does it mean when someone is always defensive?

　　A) They are open to constructive feedback.

　　B) They are closed off to feedback.

　　C) They are not overly sensitive to criticism.

　　D) They can take criticism objectively.

　　What is the consequence of being consumed by envy?

　　A) Personal growth

　　B) Destructive behaviors

　　C) Meaningful relationships

　　D) Ability to achieve similar results

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　　答案

　　BABB

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