We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Becky Marshall a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Becky, so great to have you with us and thanks for taking the time to share your thoughts with the community. So, let’s jump into something that stops so many people from going after their dreams – haters, nay-sayers, etc. We’d love to hear about how you dealt with that and persisted on your path.
This is a great question because everywhere we turn in life, there are haters and nay-sayers, people telling us no or no you can’t do that, or people who don’t believe in us or our vision. It can really bring you down, make you doubt yourself, or doubt your vision and goals.
It’s such a shame, but one key is to realize it’s a them problem, not a you problem. It usually stems from others being scared of seeing you succeed because they’re too afraid to take their own leaps. Of course, too, it could be they see something you don’t, but you only live once and you should follow your dreams. Failure isn’t failure; it’s a lesson to build upon to master it next time.
Somehow over time, I’ve heard enough “no” or “that’s dumb” that it’s become motivating, a hold-my-beer moment where they can just watch me do it and succeed. I won’t lie, it’s not easy, but believe in yourself. You’re right. Think of it as a nay-sayer sees the win and take it.
Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?
I’ve always been an artsy kid who thinks outside the box, skills that have been honed over the years either in school, working in professional theater for decades, back in school, then out in the world as a designer, DIY’er, baker, and artist. I’ve been supremely lucky to follow paths that allow me to be creative and along the way found multiple outlets for that creativity.
The home I share with my husband is like a continuous theater project where I am ripping it apart and putting it back together as well as baking up tasty treats. I’ve been fortunate enough to blog about both at Flipping the Flip and The Bake Dept, both of which have brought me more opportunities such as creating brand shoppable tutorials on Hometalk.
One opportunity has been to create The Antisign Shop which is a tongue-in-cheek, humorous take on the ubiquitous flowery home decor signs and an extension of my Flipping the Flip online shop. It’s fun to see people’s reactions which definitely run the gamut!
Tying back into the haters and nay-sayers, I’ve bumped into them working on all of these projects but I’ve believed in my creativity and myself. It’s always an earmuff moment to block them out, put my head down, and do what I love for me.
There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?
Having worked in theater professionally for many years taught me a tremendous amount. Most of my time was spent doing props which absolutely teaches you resourcefulness and creative thinking. It has also taught me that the adage, decide you can do it and you will, is true.
I know my limits and skills I may not be so good at, such as things like marketing or networking, but I’ve learned you have to push your limits to get where you want to be. Being uncomfortable equals growth.
Lastly, find a way to get what you need to further yourself and your dreams. Say you need a specific tool, see if someone can lend it to you and keep asking around until you find it. Staying motivated is tough but on the other side is your happiness and your goals achieved.
My best advice is to take that first tiny step. It’ll be scary and you’ll doubt yourself, taking the first small step is the hardest. If you have to cover the nay-sayer ears in your brain, do it. Once you’ve got that first step down, the next is easier.
Who has been most helpful in helping you overcome challenges or build and develop the essential skills, qualities or knowledge you needed to be successful?
This is an interesting question because you can find this person anywhere at any time, you just need to be open. It can be a brief encounter with someone you don’t know but have run into in passing, a quick statement or a few words can change your course or it can be a parent, a friend, relative, or neighbor.
For me, it’s been many people over time, whether it’s my parents or a teacher or someone I’ve worked with or that person in passing, or merely observing others where no words are exchanged. Regularly, my husband who has faith in me and my abilities. He encourages me to follow an idea or project however silly or weird it may seem and encourages me to be everything I can be, to live out loud and to the fullest. That builds the motivation when it feels like obstacles are stacked against me.
Seek the helpful people out but also they may just randomly fall in your lap.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.flippingtheflip.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/flippingtheflip/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/flippingtheflip/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@flippingtheflip/videos
- Other: Hometalk: https://www.hometalk.com/member/358596/1132h
shop website: https://humboldtartdept.com/shop/#tab_links_area
Image Credits
All images by Becky Marshall
