On Handling Naysayers

Are naysayers stomping on your dreams and desires? Don’t deny yourself of the life you should live just because of them. I’ve met naysayers many times along my path and only now that I’m more confident about myself, my standards and my skills, I’ve learnt how to bounce back.

A naysayer is a person who dismisses your new ideas, new projects, life changes. Someone who doubts you and questions your abilities and willpower until you start doubting yourself because of their unsolicited opinions.

Whether they are friends, family, colleagues, acquaintances, their favourite response is “nay” at any of the ideas you share with them. However, not all of them are against you. Often without even being aware of the fact they are just projecting their personal fears and issues onto you, they simply like causing problems or making you think there might be issues for you to face. It could be that they don’t see the big picture the same way that you do, or that they have insecurities stronger than their dreams or maybe it’s their spirit. Some people guilty of hater behaviour are just envious and don’t have a productive way to deal with your success.

They often are those ones telling you: “it’s too late“.

When I started CrunchyTales.com at the age of 48, many people tried to sabotage this project. I faced some setbacks and at times it was hard for me to keep motivated. It took time and patience to build a good team, too. Soon I learned how important it was to have faith in myself. It may sound cliché but you must stay positive each day as you work to improve and create your future.

If you are surrounded by naysayers, life tends to be a bit difficult. Whether you decide to get rid of them or ignore them always remember to safeguard your goals from them.  What helps me to manage their negative comments is considering them as a nudge to work harder and get better.

In the end, we can’t control what people say but we can control the actions we take to improve. When you believe in yourself and your abilities, you don’t need others’ permission to pursue your goals. So why waste time and energy on what others have to say?

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