Overcoming the Doubters

Believing in their own abilities and moving boldly toward their goals is what successful people do. 

Turning dreams into a reality requires hard work and deep commitment, but also the inner confidence to stay the course. Having those around you who believe in your ideas, talents, and pursuits is like having the wind at your back. The boost given by those who endorse your vision cannot be overestimated. 

Invariably, as more people learn about your ideas and goals, some will challenge the wisdom of those dreams and express reservations about your ability to fulfill them. 

Others will question whether you have the resources, tools, and skills to succeed. This pushback is essential for creating a stronger forward plan. If the idea is sound, hard questions should receive dazzling responses. 

While some skepticism is healthy, those people who strongly lack faith or confidence in your idea and your abilities can derail your enthusiasm and talk you out of giving the idea your all. When they can’t be convinced of your vision, these doubters can knock you to your knees and zap the positive energy from your bones. 

Those able to push through this cynicism often follow a specific path to galvanize their conviction. Before they share their idea with anyone, they spend the time to fully dissect the dream and put it to the test of scrutiny. 

They use outside experts and relationships to expose the risks and potential drawbacks associated with the idea. In other words, they stress-test the vision before committing to it. Further clarifying the motivations for why the idea is so important (and important to you) also helps to cement belief and commitment. 

Instead of announcing the idea to anyone who will listen, they are then ready to share the vision with those who most believe in them. Exploring the idea first with supporters and mentors is about validation, not acceptance. Asking those who believe in your talents and skills to help you think through the idea will further boost confidence and cement your conviction. 

If, on the other hand, your biggest supporters have real reservations, you have some more work to do. 

Only after this exploration should you turn to a larger audience of friends, colleagues, and peers to share your idea. This reduces the influence of unbridled skepticism. The doubters will laugh, ridicule, shake their heads, and warn you of the folly of pursuing such an idea. But their impact will be dulled because you are ready to receive their incredulity. 

The truth is, doubters are only good for one thing: reminding you never to be like that.