Ignoring the Naysayers

In Phil Knight’s memoir, he reflects about the challenges he faced while creating an international shoe and apparel phenomenon, known today as Nike. Knight talks about his initial startup with Blue Ribbon, and how often his father became frustrated that he was “jack-assing around with shoes” rather than working to maintain a real job. Knight further discusses his challenges with banks, in that many did not want to work with him. Many banks believed that Knight’s overall cash balance was far too low and that the interest in running had no successful future within the business industry. 

It’s ironic how almost every successful business founder has had similar experiences to that of Knights. They all experienced similar people in their lives that suggested or wanted them to stop because they found the idea to be foolish. This leads me to wonder how many great things never came to fruition because someone was talked out of their ideas. I wonder what products, or developments, or technological improvements were kept from the world.

So many people just want to pursue the idea of what is normal and make sure no one deviates.  Why is weird bad? Why is being a cog in a wheel more suitable than making a better wheel?

Do you have someone in your life trying to stop your momentum?

Think long and hard about that question. Is there someone in your life that is telling you not to do something, not to improve yourself, or is constantly pointing out the negatives in every idea that you have. When I was a kid, I remember being told that diets lead to weight gain and that exercise caused knee problems. However, it is well known that the overall benefits of a healthy diet and exercise far out-weigh the negative. 

It is long known that no human has ever reached their full potential. More so, it is known that every broke person has a rich person in them, they just don’t have the drive and self-discipline to work their way out of it. Most people don’t have the correct people to guide them towards a path of success. People are driven to excel because of the people around them. 

My oldest recently completed her fist season running cross country. If you are not aware, these are 5k races through trails, hills, and occasional mountains.  At the start of the season her times were not good, but she was finishing. At first, I was glad that she completed her first race, but then after a few races I noticed a pattern. She was always neck and neck with one girl from her team; both would always finish last place. Eventually, I had to talk to her about not running with the other girl and work to beat her times. We saw an improvement. 

In the following race she beat another member of her team, however, she was devastated and worried that the girl would be mad. This then led to her finishing behind the girl in the next race, which in return led to another talk. She let her own performance suffer because she was worried about someone that was holding her back.  

At the final race of the season, she not only beat both girls, but she also beat another team member and cut over 90 seconds off her time, making it her best time of the year. While this did not earn her a ribbon, it did teach her a valuable lesson. We need to surround ourselves with people who believe it is possible. Pondering on the thought of next season, I wonder what she will accomplish. I know that I will do what I can to push her to her maximum potential. 

Being pushed to a higher limit is painful. All growth comes from pain. Being better is hard.  Training is hard. Learning is hard. But the rewards are worth it.

Just Step to the Plate

I am probably not your coach, but if you are a person who is alive you need one. You need someone in your life that will believe you are capable of something and force you to take a chance. You need to go out and try. Win or lose, who cares! Try, and then learn the lessons. Step to the plate.

Too many people are impressed by others who excel but make sure those around them do not.  They belittle their success, try and take them down, or minimize their achievements. I have learned to stay clear of these types of people. We are not close with my in-laws because of this.  We do not have dinner with a lot of couples who we have known. However, we do spend time with like-minded people who push us to do more. It is all about who you surround yourself with.

You may win, you may lose. You may succeed, or you may fail.  But if you never step to the plate you will never know.  And you are not going to reach your full potential.  You will starve the world of your talents and what you have to contribute.  Regardless of where you are, regardless of where you came from, it only matters where you are headed. Hit mute on the naysayers and find people who build you up by pushing you to try.