What to do with Naysayers

Hall monitors tell you how to do things. Naysayers tell you that you cannot do things.

Naysayers will say that what you are dreaming has never been done before. They will tell you that your plans have been tried before with no success. They will cite the accounts of others who fell flat on their faces when they tried a scheme like yours.

Naysayers are experts at shooting down any and all ideas that do not conform to convention. Like hall monitors, naysayers do not like different.

Naysayers will tell you that you need to get real and that you need to get your head out of the clouds. They will find everything that is wrong with your life and your dreams. They will have advice for what you should do with your life as opposed to what you want to do.

Naysayers are often unhappy. They are dream quenchers. They are like rain on a parade. They like to stand by and critique other lives. They are afraid to seek their own dreams and goals so they sit in the corner and complain about what everyone else is doing wrong.

Disregard the Naysayers too.

How do you handle the Hall Monitors and Naysayers in your life? They will be family, friends, and coworkers. They will be people that you love and care about. They will be people whose advice you’ve taken before. What should you do when these people criticize your ideas or shoot down your dreams?

First, be nice. Receive their advice. Thank them for thinking of you. Tell them that you will consider what they say (and truly do so – it may help you formulate your plans). Do not argue but make your case if it’s necessary. Remember that they don’t think like you. They are stuck in a box called conformity. You are trying to break out of that box.

If Hall Monitors and Naysayers cause you to doubt, go back to those people who encourage and inspire you to pursue your dreams. Read their books, blogs, or websites. Take them to lunch. Revisit your dreams and goals and consider your progress. Determine to do something that day to take one more bite out of that elephant!