Stop listening to your loudest critic

I’ve been hearing a lot of advice lately about not listening to naysayers. To people who criticize, discourage, and hold you back from following your dreams. Whether your dreams include starting a business, finally booking that vacation, or quitting your job to become a dog trainer. Whatever it is, they advise, stop listening to people who don’t believe in your vision.

That is really great and valuable wisdom. But as I’ve listened to it, I realized something.

I am very blessed to be surrounded by people who support me, encourage me, and are super pumped by what I’m doing in the world. Even those who may not fully understand it, they still support and cheer me on.

If I don’t have others around me underestimating my abilities, than who is?

Oh, I finally understood. It’s myself.

I am my own biggest critic, the person that says it can’t be done, that says I’m not experienced enough, talented enough, fill in the blank. No one else is telling me that. It’s my own voice.

Many times the biggest voice saying it ain’t gonna happen is our own, and it usually is the loudest and most powerful.

So yes, if you’re surrounded by Debbie downers and negative Nancy’s, start hanging with people who inspire you and lift you up. But if you’ve come to realize like I have that the person holding you down the most is yourself, give yourself a big hug. You’re more amazing than you think, so start acting like it.