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.
Devon Clemmons
I persist by staying focused on long-term goals rather than short-term noise. Criticism is inevitable when you’re doing anything meaningful, so I evaluate feedback carefully—keeping what’s constructive and discarding what’s rooted in insecurity or misunderstanding. Persistence, for me, comes from discipline and belief in the work itself, not from external validation. Read More>>
Matthew Harris
Persistence comes from clarity. When you’re clear on why you’re doing something and who you’re doing it for, outside noise loses its power. Anytime you build something that’s different—or that challenges how things have “always been done”—you’re going to attract opinions. Some people project doubt because they’re uncomfortable with change, and others because they’ve never taken the risk themselves. Read More>>
Kristin Caughey
I’ve learned to persist by staying focused on the results and not the noise. If I listened to every opinion, I would never start anything — and I’ve worked too hard to let someone else’s doubt decide my future. When I hear negativity or skepticism, I remind myself that most people aren’t actually criticizing me — they’re projecting their own fear of trying. Read More>>
