It shouldn’t have bothered me, but it did.

He never grew on social media and he didn’t own a business, let alone understand my business.

All the years, sacrifices, and effort put into my craft, yet he discounted it all.

I’ve heard it before from strangers in the comments, but having it come from someone I semi-knew felt like more an attack on my character.

But then it got me thinking…

This wasn’t different than the past 2 years.

When I invested in crypto, people looked at me like I was dumb.

When I dropped out of school, people questioned my choice.

When I went all in on online business, people doubted me.

It felt like I was the only one who could see a better future for myself.

But as I gained experience, I realized 1 thing…

Projections, not bad intentions

Those doubting me didn’t have ill intentions.

In fact, it had nothing to do with me.

They were simply projecting their own limiting beliefs onto me.

In my eyes, this comes from 2 places:

1. Ego

If you achieve something others desire to but haven’t, you become a reflection of what they aren’t.

To protect their ego, some will try to raise their own status by pulling you down because raising themselves up seems like an impossible task.

2. Love

If someone wants the best for you, they’ll try to protect you from what they perceive is dangerous.

Most see everyone around them going to college, saving money, and/or working a 9-5.

It’s the norm.

And therefore, they think it’s “safe.”

So when you deviate from this path into the unknown world of business or any other ambitious goal, some become concerned for you and discourage your goals.

The not so subtle art of giving a fuck

If you’re early in your journey toward your goals - especially if you’re not surrounded by ambitious people - both of the above scenarios can become deadly to your success.

You don’t have much experience and you’re not even sure the path you’re on is going to work.

So if all your inputs from others are negative, there’s a good chance they’ll validate your doubts and you’ll quit.

Now, I can be like every other self-help guru and tell you “Just stop giving a fuck, bro.”

But cmon’, you and I know we care what others think to some degree.

And to get to the point of Nofucksgiven Enlightenment, you gotta stack wins and experience.

So what’s the solution to all the people doubting you on your come up?

It’s not sexy, it’s empathy

If you’re like me, your initial reaction to people doubting you is anger.

They don’t understand your pains, experiences, and vision.

But that’s the point.

They only know their own.

It can be frustrating, hell, it can be infuriating.

But we gotta step back and realize it’s not about us.

Sure, there’s no way to get around feeling the initial emotional response hardwired into us.

However, the 90 seconds after the emotion, you have the choice to hold onto that emotion or have empathy and let it go.

Now, I’m not gonna sugarcoat it…

Like me, you’re gonna have people talk down and discourage you.

But you have a choice.

Take it seriously or see it how for what it is…

Someone’s ego or someone’s love.

And from there, we free ourselves. We don’t feel a need to prove ourselves.

Instead, we can choose to block them or stop associating with them.

Cause let’s be real, most people talking shit don’t are a waste of time to keep talking to.

Your Canadian friend,

Dakota “Empathetic” Robertson