Don’t let their doubt become your doubt.

When you have an inner nudge to go after your dream, passion, a creative idea, or simply try to listen to the stirring in your soul, there is that spot in your heart that is a little tender, a little fragile, a little vulnerable.  

And protecting that tenderness is important because the dream is important. But it’s the kind of important that you can’t explain in terms of status, success, or money. It’s important because it’s connected to your heart, your essence, your deep desires, and what makes you feel purposeful, joyful, or fulfilled.

And when we are a little tender, we are susceptible to the sting of naysayers, especially when those naysayers are our partners, our family, colleagues or friends. And when that happens...

Their doubt becomes your doubt. 

And before you know it, you are shrinking back, scaling down, making excuses, and fizzling out. Doubt and self-sabotage work together with fear in a roundabout way to keep you from feeling hurt, rejection, and uncertainty.

Hear me when I tell you that their doubt isn’t yours. It belongs to them. It’s projected onto you because maybe they have fears, because they had a bad experience, because they don’t want you to change, because they are scared you’ll leave them behind. Have compassion for their fear. Love them anyway. But drop their duffel bag of doubt at their feet and stop carrying it around for them. You’ll feel much lighter.

Don’t get deterred from your path. Don’t let their rejection dictate whether or not you go on. Don’t allow your dreams and your desires to get watered down because someone else doesn’t get it, see it, or believe it.  

Use their doubt to anticipate your obstacles and use it as fuel to better your plan.

The world loses out if you give up on your dream. So no matter how hard today is, or how unsure you feel, don’t lose faith in yourself or your vision.

Because around the corner, there is sunlight, and waiting for you are people who do get it, who do believe, and who do want to see you happy and successful.  Go hang out on that path. 

I’m there cheering for you!