The time is now to be your own influencer. We have let random people with no fact checkers or editors supply our information, and the results do not seem to be that good.
For centuries, humans have been enamored with celebrities. From kings and queens to Hollywood icons, we’ve always looked up to those who seemed larger than life. But something changed in the last 20 years. Social media didn’t just give us access to celebrities… it created a whole new category of them: influencers.
Now, anyone with a camera, good lighting, and the right algorithmic luck can become an expert, a guru, a thought leader. We scroll endlessly, consuming their advice, their lifestyles, their perfectly curated moments. And without thinking, we start to believe them.
But why?
What qualifies these people to shape our opinions, our buying decisions, or even how we see ourselves? Too often, the answer isn’t knowledge, experience, or wisdom… it’s just that they’ve mastered the art of looking the part.
It’s time to stop being so enamored with the influencers of the world and start influencing ourselves.
The Illusion of Influence
Most influencers aren’t in it for you. They’re in it for them. Their success depends on their ability to make you believe they have the answers, to convince you that your life will be better if you buy what they’re selling… whether it’s a product, a mindset, or a lifestyle.
And we fall for it. We follow. We like. We share. But at the end of the day, what do we get in return?
A fleeting dopamine hit. A new insecurity we didn’t have before. A false sense of connection to someone who doesn’t even know we exist.
Meanwhile, the influencer wins. They get the brand deals, the revenue, the credibility, the influence.
Become Your Own Influencer
Here’s a radical thought: instead of letting strangers on the internet shape your worldview, what if you took that power back? What if you became your own greatest source of influence?
This doesn’t mean rejecting expertise. There are wise people worth learning from. But it does mean being more discerning about who we elevate and why. It means researching, questioning, and thinking critically instead of blindly following.
Most importantly, it means stepping away from the one-way street of passive consumption and returning to something real: human interaction (H.I.).
Because true influence… the kind that changes lives, careers, and communities… doesn’t come from a polished TikTok or a viral Instagram reel. It comes from conversations. From mentorship. From relationships built on trust, not clicks.
The Challenge
So here’s the challenge: Unfollow someone today. Not out of spite, but out of self-respect. Take back a little mental real estate. Then, replace that scrolling time with something that actually serves you; reading, researching, talking to someone you respect, or, better yet, having an actual, in-person conversation.
Because the real power isn’t in being influenced. The real power is in thinking for yourself.
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Thom Singer, CSP, is a professional keynote speaker and business development consultant specializing in helping business professionals and lawyers grow their careers via human interaction. With expertise in networking, relationship-building, and reputation management, he is a sought-after speaker for association conferences, corporate meetings, and law firm retreats (he has worked inside two AMLAW 100 firms as director of marketing and business development). His keynote presentation: “Human Interaction (H.I.) in an AI-Driven World” is the ideal opening keynote speaker for your next event.