Over the years, I have learned that there will always be haters, people who will try their best to kill your dreams. They will do this to make themselves feel better at your expense. At the same time the others who are inspired by seeing you live your dreams.
My mother always shared with me the value of hanging out with the right people. It’s some of the best advice that a parent can give. We are a reflection of the people we spend the most time with. When you are around people who are chasing after and accomplishing their dreams, then you will achieve your dreams too. When you spend time around positive and productive people, they help insulate you from the negativity and dream crushing possibilities the world can throw at you.
Over the years, I have learned that there will always be haters, people who will try their best to kill your dreams.
Many people get to see the fun side of my business and personal life on social media and in person. Only a select few get to see the not so fun stuff needed to run my business...contract negotiations, financial paperwork, legalese, phone calls, travel delays, time away from family and staying in a cornucopia of hotels.
I do what I do because I want to provide for my family and help people around the world breakthrough mental barriers to cook up the dreams they hunger for. It's hard work developing and maintaining a mindset where you focus on what you can do versus what you can't do. I am very intentional when it comes to surrounding myself with positive people. I commit daily to putting myself in positive environments and most importantly I study cultures that are positive and productive. My actions help insulate me from the constant negativity society can bombard us. It’s my negativity force field. What do you do to grow personally or professionally?
A few years ago, I experienced one of those personal and professional growth moments. You know what I’m talking about, a moment that can ruin your day. A moment that tests your mindset. I was contacting potential clients about speaking opportunities. I was lucky enough to get in contact with someone who really “loved” their job. The gentlemen took it upon himself share his “love” of his job with me. He let me know that I needed to get a real job and give up speaking as a career. He let me know that youth don't like speakers and they forget the message of the speaker before they get off the stage. I attempted several times to get off the phone by thanking him for his advice, but he just kept “sharing” his advice and honesty with me. The comment I loved the most was when he asked, “Am I making you cry?” several times. I think I upset him when I replied, "no I'm not crying." I finally managed to end the call.
I could have let my phone experience ruin my day or rethink my choice to be a business owner, but I didn't. Why? Negative experiences are going to happen. How we deal these experiences determines how successful we can be. True success is the ability to live your dreams, not just any dreams, the tasty dreams that keep you up all night. The dreams that make your mouth water. The people I surround myself with and environments I choose to place myself in greatly affect my ability to deal with negative experiences and produce results.
After ending the call, I made several more calls and replied to several emails. I spoke with several colleagues who told me not to worry and stay focused. I smiled when I received several positive messages from students and professionals who attended my events this year and remembered my message. I smiled even bigger when I received two emails from organizations requesting information on how to book me for their upcoming events.
When you have a dream you desire to live, don't allow someone who doesn't know you, care about you, or posses a negative mindset determine how you feel about yourself and your pursuits. Get Hungry and Get Cooking! Place yourself in environments and around people who are positive and productive. They'll inspire you to cook up the dreams you hunger for.
