Where would we be if we believed everyone who thought they knew better? Often times we have an inspired idea to try something new, adventurous, risky or even unheard of and share it with others.
That's when our well-meaning friends, family and colleagues drag us back down in the name of "being realistic".
We're told our ideas are too lofty, too crazy, to hard.
Inevitably that's when we either choose to persist anyway because we believe in our idea and in our ability to accomplish it or we give into the seeds of doubt that have been planted.
I can say from first hand experience that when I discovered my idea to leave my 'secure' job to become an entrepreneur and go into business for myself that even those few I confided in did exactly that - stomped on my dreams, saying I would never succeed or that it was a scam.
I could have easily just believe them and dismissed the opportunity and resigned myself to continuing a life of unhappiness.
I am so grateful I did decide to pursue it.
Not only did I succeed I also learned to believe in myself.
I saw that most people tend to establish beliefs based on what society or those who surround them believe rather that giving each situation some serious reflection.
Where would we be if we just took what others said as the only answer? We can see evidence all around us, where would we be if Thomas Edison had given up on his goals of creating a light source after his first few failures? We'd all be sitting in the dark or still relying on torches and candles to light our way.
He failed over a thousand times and yet he was quoted as saying "I didn't fail a thousand times, I found a thousand ways how to not create a light bulb.
" He learned fro his mistakes and ultimately succeeded.
Walt Disney was labelled as "having no imagination and lacked creativity" by his employer when he was fired.
He went on to declare bankruptcy three times but persisted and ultimately created his world legacy.
Imagine that, he was ridiculed and told to quit many times yet he created one of the most widely recognized brands in the world.
Christopher Columbus was ridiculed and told he would never succeed and even die trying to discover a new world yet if it were not for him we wouldn't likely be living here today in North America.
Do you see how some of the most successful people in the world were repeatedly told not to bother and only because they did are we enjoying the fruit of their labour today.
What great idea do you have that you could pursue and make into something great? We are alive now, this day will never come again, why not try it? Even if you were to fail, like Edison you'd learn a valuable lesson in doing so.
Better to try and fail than never both trying at all.
Sure there are many critics out there but think about it, do they already have what you desire? If your goal is to become a successful entrepreneur and create wealth why are you even caring about the opinion of someone who has no wealth and no prior experience as an entrepreneur.
Seek out those who did over come the odds and are successful business owners.
They are the ones who will see your vision and show you what worked for them.
Most successful people are happy to share their story of what worked and what didn't.
I know I love to share with others and claim it as one of my passions - to assist others in realizing their dreams.
It all comes down to belief in you, if you believe you can do it then you've already made a huge step closer to where you want to be.
Never allow others to sway you from your dreams and goals.
By believing - you are already attracting unknown and unseen circumstances into lining up to provide the path.
The skeptics of this world will only continue living their reality which is a life of regret, pessimism and failure.
I say let them be and get on with your own journey, and please let me know how it turns out, I'd love to celebrate with you.