If you are waiting on folks to support you, don’t hold your breath. If you are waiting on a certain number of ‘Likes’ on Facebook, hearts on Instagram, encouraging comments, high fives, or maxed out views; you are setting yourself up for failure.

Success happens when you don’t need people to validate your dream. When you can go for your goals without an entourage on the sidelines. When you can write day after day, week after week, and the readers aren’t many but you write anyway.

Everyone is not going to see your dreams and you have to be ok with that. God gave it to you! He didn’t give it to them. No worries if they don’t get it. As long as you get it, keep moving.

And these people will consist of a wide range of individuals. They aren’t all haters. They are family members, spouses, kids, friends, co-workers, supervisors, church members, and strangers. You might as well have the pity party and eat that cake now and get it over with because these people will exist and you can’t stop progress to weep about it.

Keep going! Don’t let it surprise you. One thing about me, once I know what or whom I’m dealing with, I teach myself ways to deal with people. I don’t cut off relationships. Why would I do that? I just work on our interactions. If my sister didn’t believe in my dream, guess what our conversations would be about? Everything but my speaking engagements, my blogs, my book, etc. We’d talk about the news, the latest reality tv show, Facebook beef, my kids, how things are at work, etc.

See how easy that is? Why would I hate my sister because she doesn’t understand my crazy goals? My goal is to “Save All Marriages in My Way.” First off, my sister is single, so maybe that is why she doesn’t understand what I’m doing. If she were married, maybe her and her spouse are having issues so she doesn’t want to hear what I have to say.

Yes, she could just be a hater. (Disclaimer: I’m using my sister as an example. My sissy loves what I’m doing). But she could be a hater. If you are crushing goals, people don’t like being reminded of their shortcomings. They may not have an interest in what you are doing but since you are doing something, often times, people notice this and start being hard on themselves for giving up on their goals. Self reflection takes over and hinders them from being happy for you.

That’s still not a reason to disown people. There negative self reflection or self tsk would be something they have to deal with. Don’t feel guilty, it’s not your fault. In the meanwhile, keep pressing, keep moving, keep doing what you are doing. Talk about the weather when you see them! There will be others that will root for you. Talk to them! Share with them! They will be excited with you.

Find people who support you and allow them to feed into you. I won’t lie, it does feel good to know that what you are doing is working or having a positive effect. No one wants to feel like they are on an island when they set their face to fulfilling their assignment. God gives us all an assignment. Therefore, He will equip you for the assignment, He will be with you doing the assignment, and He will give you strength to endure.

When you don’t feel supported, do it anyway. When they roll their eyes, keep doing it. When they don’t ‘Like’ it, post about it anyway. When they won’t read it, who cares, write it anyway. Continue to work your assignment. All that isn’t on your team in the beginning will join at the end.

Thanks for your attention. Remember you are your own competition.

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