Do you always listen to what other people say about you? Do you let other people’s negative opinion ruin your day? If so, what makes them right and you wrong, and who are they to judge you? For years, I let other people’s opinions influence me on how I should run my life, and it took many mistakes before I finally realised that I had turned off to what other people thought and tune in to what I wanted and what my gut feeling told me. Because I was always approachable, had precise ideas and an extensive network; I seemed to attract people who thought they should have a part of it, and then try and turn what I had to benefit themselves. I have, over and over, repeated the same mistake, until I finally taught myself that what I had was precious, and unique to what I offer this world.
Once I found my passion and what I wanted to do in my life I set out to achieve it. I have persevered for years to build my occupation, I have fallen over and over and picked myself up over and over. The one real big problem I have always had was listening to what other people thought I should be doing, and getting dragged away from my life purpose or what I had to focus on. It is not that I have never believed in my own abilities, it is that I let others influence me in what they believed were my abilities.
These days, after all these years I can say that my self-belief is set in concrete! I have conditioned myself to turn off the noise of other people’s opinions of what I do, or who I am, how I should behave or even how I should think. I am driven by my own excitement and desire to achieving goals, by making a difference to other people’s lives, and because I believe in my own capabilities.
Because I have built a profile online there are times when people try to cause me grief, I don't know what their problem is but I know one thing: It's not mine! I just delete or block. Simple as that. However, I'm not saying that I'm some Super Angel who never sticks up for herself, far from that, I'm tough because I have had to be.
Having left school at just turning 16 without School Certificate didn’t exactly set me up to be a high-powered Executive, yet like we read all the time, it did set me up to do what I love. It also gave me drive and persistence, and the fact that I truly believed I could. I have never worried about not having a University Degree, instead I just went on to learn from the University of Hard Knocks. And I am still learning from that very same University. I did what I had to do and I taught myself most of my skills including blogging, email campaigns, marketing, social media and networking. When I couldn’t afford to eat, or pay the rent I believed that it would turn out OK, and it always did! Somehow, usually by the last gasp!
Self-belief is when you know that what you are doing is possible and worth the hard work, tenacity and often heart-ache to achieve your dreams. I truly believe, with all my heart and passion that what I’m doing with my life is what I am supposed to be doing.
I discovered my true strength and power of self-belief when I was diagnosed with an ‘incurable’ disease called Crohn’s Disease. This diagnosis came six months after the trauma of dealing with my brother’s suicide. I did a lot of research on Crohn’s Disease and came up with the conclusion that if I looked after my diet (Gluten Free), kept fit and most importantly, believed that this lifestyle would keep me healthy. That was in 1999 and today, I’m still here and not on medication.
I have absolute faith in myself to keep healthy and to achieve my goals. During the journey of my career, I have applied the same belief system I used for my health issues. Thankfully I did because it has stopped me quitting on quite a few occasions when it all seemed to overwhelming, and believe me there have been so many of those days.
For those who are reading this and want to start their own business, blog or whatever dream you have know that it can be tough and lonely out there but if you 100% believe in yourself with absolute faith, you too, will be able to accomplish many great things.
My tips when it becomes too overwhelming:
Think of the opposite of what you are worrying about (this just calms the nerves and gives you focus).
Be creative, if something isn’t working you might need to tweak it. I have tweaked my journey lots of times.
Have a vision board with your goals and desires – it always helps to be reminded why you are doing this!
Ask for help, find a trusted mentor for when times get tough, someone who has done what you are trying to achieve
Celebrate your wins!
Take long walks and time out. Or better still go for a run.
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