Almost everything that’s changed the world in a positive way has been an unreasonable idea. It’s unreasonable, until it’s commons sense. That’s how change happens and so in order to make a difference in the world, it’s incredibly important to be able to ignore the naysayers. Some of the best and brightest from our community share their stories and advice below.
Kristen Hebert
I’ve learned that when you’re doing something different, people will always have opinions. In the beginning, criticism used to sting, but the people doubting me weren’t living the lifestyle I wanted anyway. I persist because I know my purpose is bigger than their doubt. My job isn’t to convince them, but to lead by example and show what’s possible when you keep going. Read More>>
Tia Buonavolonta
Regarding my creativity, song writing, and releasing songs. I’ve always felt that if you are ever given the chance to be blessed with an idea from God or the universe (like a song idea), that it is your duty to carry out that vision for the world to see/ hear/ feel. Otherwise, the universe will find another vessel to get the message or idea out. Read More>>
Genista Nolan
My goal is to always out do myself. So if someone tells me I am not able to accomplish my task, I make sure to accomplish the task at hand and go above and beyond what is required. An example of this would be when I was in a supervisory role and I had two new employees with different roles. Read More>>
Sarah Glenn Marsh
This is something I’ve been thinking about a lot lately. I’m an author who’s about to make my adult romance debut in the spring–my adult gay romance debut, featuring morally gray characters, at that–and since advanced copies became available through my publisher, I’ve been taken aback and felt genuine despair at the attitudes people will take toward queer stories, even now. Read More>>
Tracy St. Croi
Being a psychic medium, skepticism comes with the territory. I say: if you’re a psychic medium and *nobody* is doubting you, you’re probably not talking to enough people. What keeps me going is remembering why I do this in the first place. Read More>>
Tongela Clark
I stand firm because I know my purpose and no amount of noise can shake what God has placed in me. I’ve been tested, stretched, and underestimated, yet every challenge has strengthened my resolve. I move forward not in fear, but in faith, knowing I was built to rise. I persist despite the haters and naysayers because their voices don’t define my destiny. Read More>>
Abriam Brown
I’ve learned that the higher you climb, the louder the doubt becomes. I wasn’t born into opportunity, I had to build it. And whenever you’re building something that hasn’t been done in your family, in your community, or in your circle, you’re going to face resistance. People don’t always hate where you are, they hate where they know you’re headed. Read More>>
Samuel Enyi
I just keep doing exactly what they hate the most. So long as I’m at peace with what I do, I keep going regardless. It’s never been about them, if it was I’d be talking about them not them talking about me. Read More>>
Emily Ledbetter
When I get a hate comment online, pushback on an idea I believe in, or overall cynicism about my goals, I remind myself of Aristotle’s famous saying, “The only way to avoid criticism is to do nothing, say nothing, and be nothing.” If you look at the most successful people in life, they have just as many (if not more) haters as they do adoring supporters. Read More>>
Heather Ferrari
One thing I’ve learned is this: the people who try to dim your light will always exist. We don’t always know when they’ll show up or what form they’ll take, but if you are someone who shines, someone who leads, someone who’s building something meaningful, they will come. And that’s okay. How do I keep going? Read More>>
Vinnie Langdon III
There is a lot of negativity being a creative in this field of Film/TV. Many people will say ‘oh that’s too much work’ or ‘I wouldn’t do it for as little as you get paid, I wouldn’t even attempt half the things you’ve done unless I got paid millions.’ However, I keep on doing this for ME. Because it makes my life happy. Read More>>
Peter Valko
No leader throughout history has gone without some sort of nitpicking or scrutiny; even Jesus Christ faced this. If your doing something with no push back or haters; your doing it very wrong in my eyes Read More>>
ashley Hathaway
In this industry, you hear everything — every compliment, every critique, and every little comment made in rooms people think I’ll never hear about. Spoiler: it always gets back to me. Instead of shrinking or clapping back, I stay in my lane and let my work do the talking. The chatter just confirms I’m on the right track. Read More>>
Ronald Atkinson
One thing I know that’s true, is that life is short. I’ve grown up to realize and understand that you don’t always need to ask permission to do what you want in life. You may ask yourself that question, but that’s strictly between you, and your conscious. Read More>>
Anna Mullins
Honestly, I keep going because Lavander Moon was built from passion, purpose, and a whole lot of heart. I know who I am, I know the experience I give my couples, and I know the intention behind every detail I touch. Not everyone will understand your vision — and that’s okay. Read More>>
