Ignoring the Naysayers

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.

Akila K

Honestly, I try not to think about haters and nay-sayers too much. Don’t get me wrong, I’m human, so that’s always in the back of mind. But I have this wild notion that…….I cannot be stopped. So it really doesn’t matter what anyone thinks, has to say, feels, or questions about me. I know who I am, I know what I do, I know what I believe in, and I know what I stand for. That’s all I need. Anyone else’s opinion is their own right and theirs only.  Read more>>

Malone Taylor

I have always been someone who thrives to prove someone wrong who says I can’t do something, even if it is only to prove them wrong! I learned at a young age, to use the negative comments and lack of belief into fuel and motivation to continue working towards my goals. Not only that, but I know that my identity comes from who I am in Christ and at the end of the day, if I fail at everything else, I have gained everything I need in HIM. My faith not only keeps my grounded, but encourages me because I know I am doing what I am called to do! Read more>>

Bret Shuford

It’s so important to remember that the more visible you become, the more haters you will have. Remembering that people’s hate is not a reflection of you but more in line with who they are. So for me, I start with the idea that I hope this person gets the joy they need. We all deserve love regardless of where we are on our journey. Yet, the biggest lesson I learned is that my goal is not to be liked, but to become known, and allow other to decide. I want to help people, but not everyone, I want to help the right people. I have accepted I’m not everyone’s cup of tea, and neither are you. Read more>>

Vicki Fox

My mission at Creation Chiropractic in Eden Prairie MN is not only to educate others on what specific Chiropractic is, but also who benefits from it, and how they will heal and function at their God-given potential when they receive it. It’s HUGE! and I witness the miracle of healing from the inside-out everyday. Read more>>

Todd Reed

When my wife Tonya and I Decided to build our own haunted attraction “Hunger Holler Farms”, we were both “laser focused“ on achieving that goal, no matter what!
Upon our announcement 3yrs ago, we were met with an overwhelming amount of interest and encouragement from people close to us who know our capabilities, as well as people who follow us on Social media that were witnesses to our Rapid growth in this industry, as One of the leading fabrication companies in our state. Read more>>

Crux Conception, M. Psych

Throughout my extensive career in law enforcement, teaching, and public speaking, I have faced numerous challenges, including skepticism and criticism from various quarters. Despite these obstacles, I have developed resilience by focusing on the impact of my work and the people I serve.
Importantly, I’ve come to realize that when someone takes the time out of their day to criticize or attempt to undermine my work, it’s often a sign that I’m doing something right. Read more>>

Michele Nichols

I decided what I love to do matters more than others negative opinions about it. I learned to form a circle of people I trust, my “board of directors” whose opinions I respect and value and get to speak into my life. Everyone has an opinion. I can learn from anyone and not get confused by the myriad of opinions now because I have a value system that I filter those opinions through. I take what works and respectfully leave the rest. Read more>>

Grant Merritt

At the end of the day, anything a hater has to say is just another person’s opinion. I tend to hold onto a quote by Dita Von Teese that I once read, “You can be the ripest, juiciest peach in the world, and there’s still going to be somebody who hates peaches.” Daily affirmations also help. Looking myself in the mirror and telling myself, “I am good enough to be great!” until I believe it, and say, “I believe in myself!” I truly believe that the only way I can fail as an actor is by quitting. It’s a long game. Read more>>

James “jr” Rhaburn

Being alive for me is usually enough to persist. Sometimes I feel I shouldn’t be here. Numerous health complications from when I was younger, the stats say I would be anything but normal, if I lived long enough anyway. Well, I’m still here. As I age, I think I care less what others say about me cause no one has walk in my shoes. No one knows the decisions I made to better myself and what that has cost me. It’s actually an on-going set of experiences.  Read more>>

Tamara Driskel

Standing tall and firm against resistance was a skill I began developing from the moment I chose to go back to school to become a counselor, and it came (as it often does) from those closest to me first. I was going through a divorce at age 28, and up until that point, had been a stay at home mom to two little girls, with only a year of college under my belt nearly a decade prior. The idea of working low-paying, dead end jobs for the rest of my life sounded like soul death to me yet that is exactly what my well-meaning loved ones advised me to do to put food on the table immediately. Read more>>

Ryan Mossman

I come from a small town in the heart of Northumberland, Amble. I’ve lived here my whole life and always felt a little different from everyone else. I’m still not 100% sure why I feel like that but I do think it’s to do with wanting to make the most out of the time I have on this earth. Since a young age I’ve watched YouTubers like the sidemen, syndicate & Joe sugg. They inspired me to start creating. I tried YouTube at the age of 14-15. As you can imagine that spread around the school and I felt like I was force to delete the channel. Read more>>

Jessica Williams

Honestly, this is a huge topic. The haters will always be there. You just need to ignore them, put your blinders on and continue forward. I have experienced hate in different ways and jealously. I am not going to lie, in the beginning it was intimidating. I almost stopped what I was doing because of the “haters”. But I said Nope, I will not let them determine my future. The hate must be coming from a form of jealousy and also the fact they that felt that need to spread so much hate kind of gave me more of a fierce drive. Read more>>

Andrea Echeverria

I’m an aesthetic nurse practitioner and I do mostly injectables for a living. Aesthetics often carries a significant stigma, with some people viewing cosmetic enhancements as unnecessary or superficial. This stigma can overshadow the positive impact aesthetics can have on confidence and well-being. Educating others about the true benefits and personal empowerment that come from these treatments is key to challenging and changing these misconceptions. Read more>>

Stephanie Duley

There will always be people who don’t like you, don’t agree the way you live your life, or don’t like the art you are putting out into the world. Always. It’s only now at the age of 34 that I have come to realize, other people’s opinions of me are none of my business. It took me a full two years to finally realize that publishing my book was for me. Not for the recognition, or the glowing reviews I hoped to get, or the fanbase I hoped to build. This was something that I was doing for me and anyone who fell in love with the story I told was just a bonus along the way. Read more>>

Devin Dowell

Over the years I dealt with a lot of negativity and backlash especially as a younger kid and being somewhat the new kid on the block. Overcoming it stems from the confidence I have had to carry with me over the years. Alot of it comes being considered different in high school just for being myself. I’ve had to learn to cope with online hate that bloomed into me finding ways to help others dealing with this problem also. I feel like no one deserves to be put in a position where they are being hated by others just for simply being themselves. For me it comes down to the people that know me personally know the real me. Read more>>