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“Don’t let the noise of other people’s opinions drown out your own inner voice.” – Steve Jobs –
Have you ever had something you were really passionate about, but then someone said something that made you question whether you would actually be able to do it? People really can say things that chip away at your confidence and even cause you to give up on something you really want.
I know I have met my fair share of skeptics and heard it all –
Are you sure you want to do that?
What if it doesn’t work?
I know so many people who have tried that and never succeeded.
The crazy thing is that skeptics can come at you from every direction. It can be a stranger or someone you don’t really know that decides to offer you their opinion; or even people close to you that should believe in you, but they say things that show they doubt your ability to succeed.
The majority of these people aren’t really trying to be malicious and shatter your confidence. In their minds, they are helping you be “realistic” and saving you from disappointment.
However, there is one problem — and it’s a big one. Their version of “realistic” is just that. It’s their version. It’s their reality — not yours.
It’s All About What You Think Is Possible
What really matters is your version of “realistic” and what you believe is possible. One of the most important lessons I learned was that we can’t let other people who are jaded by their own fears and doubts cause us to question what is really possible for us. We never want to let other people confine our thinking and cause us to think too small.
You’ve got to always rely on your own personal belief and let it be the driving force behind what you determine is possible. Yes, it’s great when you have other people’s support, but that isn’t necessarily always going to be the case. Life is not about about you living someone else’s reality, but rather about you asking yourself questions, taking the time to figure out what feels right, and following your own truth. Don’t let anyone get in the way of that.
The Possibility of Today:
1. Realize it’s not about proving them wrong. No need to convince anyone else what is possible. The only thing you need to focus on is proving to yourself that you are right. Just focus on what you need to do to accomplish what you want.
2. No need to resent the skeptics. Remind yourself that in their own unique way they are trying to help you. You don’t want to ever allow yourself to be weighed down by anger or resentment. It will just get in the way of accomplishing what you want.
3. Continually strengthen and build up your confidence. It’s okay if you have some doubts that creep up from time to time. The key is to do things daily to strengthen your confidence and overshadow the doubts (mindset pushups). Flood your mind with encouragement. Read things that inspire you. Remind yourself of all the things you have successfully accomplished in the past (the little things definitely count) and realize that this time will be no different.
Live Today Better than Yesterday.
Did you like this post? Please share your thoughts in the comment section below. And, if you need to contact me for anything, please feel free to use the contact form or e-mail me directly at sibyl@possibilityoftoday.com. It’s always great to hear from you.
This really is inspiring! Since I am trying to be my own person, this really is a great start
So glad Mariah:) I think the best thing you can do is ask yourself questions and when the answers come really try to lean in the direction they are pointing you. Always believe and follow your own truth. Thanks so much for the comment and thanks for dropping by.
Even though I didn’t see this post till this morning 7/11/12, it was so appropriate to what I was journaling about this morning. I can think back over my life of all the ‘helpful’ truths that parents, friends, family, teachers and extended family tried to provide to help me but in the end, I let their ‘truths’ defeat me. I have survived and have learned to thrive based on others truths. However, your post reminds me that it is never to too late to listen to the passions in your heart and seek your own truths and live them. Thank you.
Angela: I am so glad that post found you at the perfect time:) You are so right. It really is never too late to listen to the passions in your heart. Keep that thought top of mind as you move through the day because it is a lesson you never want to lose:) Thanks so much for the comment and thanks for dropping by.
I think I’m at the point at my life when I really needed to hear/read something like this. It’s the first time I have the chance to live without any direction or guidance from someone else. I guess that is to be expected after graduating college. At the same time, it’s frightening. And I’ve always been one to embrace with others say about my decisions, to a certain extent, but it’s nice to be doing anything and everything for the sake of my own happiness.
Thanks for this post!
So glad you found the post helpful Kelsha. I would say that it is a good idea if you feel comfortable to bounce your ideas off of people that you trust. Just make sure at the end of the day you are following your own truth and never letting anyone talk you out of something you believe is possible and feel deep down inside. I think that has been one of the most important lessons I have learned:) Thanks again for the comment and for dropping by.
Goog Job Siby1
Thanks so much:) So glad you liked the article. Thanks for taking the time to let me know.
<<good
Thanks so much:) Glad you liked it.
Right on Sibyl. I always “love” those kinds of unsolicited opinions (not!). If every Visionary listened to all the naysayers in their lives, nothing great and astounding would ever happen!
We all have to take ownership of our dreams, stand in our own power, and not allow small-minded people to steal our thunder.
I couldn’t agree with you more Sean. It really is all about pushing forward and following our own truth regardless of what the people around us say. Thanks so much for the comment and stopping by. Always appreciated:)
This is something that I have been struggling with all of my life, (Pleasing other’s), and letting them tell me if this or that is right for me. Today, I am in college online, and is going for my bachelor degree in Behavirol Science, and to date its been fun, and I have passed all my courses to date. I have been attending this university since 2011, and have some ways to go, but I am determine to finish, and that is my own goal, and plan for me. Loved reading your article,and looking forward to reading more. Have a blessed day.
Donald Davis
Hey Donald: Thanks so much for the message and dropping by. I think it is so great that you are pushing forward and following your own truth. I actually have a story from college where someone tried to get me to not believe it was possible to go to a top law school. If I had listened, my life would be so different. You’ve got to always stay true to yourself and go for what you believe in. I am so glad you are doing that:) Thanks for the kind words about the article and thanks again for dropping by.
Such good advice, Sibyl! Thank you!
So glad you liked it Jenni. Thanks for taking the time to comment and thanks for dropping by.
A couple of decades ago this happened to me. I got a wonderful job in a different country and was excited. My favorite cousin lived there, and that seemed to make it even more attractive. But then, unexpectedly this cousin dissuaded me from accepting the job, much to the annoyance of my friend who had recommended me for it. Well, believing that my cousin would know better, I declined. Okay, so I did make up with my friend. But I was sad to know much later that my cousin just wanted me to stay in India because we lived close to his parents and that was convenient to him. Of course I moved on – but the thought of this bugs me still.
We live and learn, don’t we? Hugs. Loved the post, Sibyl.
Vidya: You are so right – we live and we learn:) I know you will never let that happen again. I can think back to some of my stories that are similar to yours and they are like bookmarks in my mind to always follow my own truth:) Thanks so much for the comment and thanks for dropping by.