They say that “everyone’s a critic,” and that never seems
more true than when you’re pursuing a dream and trying to enlist support. There
will always be well-meaning people who want to “protect” you from your
“unrealistic fantasies.”
Cynthia Kersey, best-selling author of Unstoppable:
45 Powerful Stories of Perseverance and Triumph from People Just Like You, says dealing with critics and rejection is no doubt
difficult. These critics are often people you love the most—parents, friends
and significant others. They may have the advantage of seeing
your situation from a wide vantage point—the outside in. But don’t forget you are the only one who
has a unique spot to observe your dream’s scenic landscape. You can use your
fire and passion to see what others can’t.
The only opinion about your dream that really counts is
yours. The
negative comments of others merely reflect their limitations—not yours.4
Fashion photographer Richard Avedon tried to convince Cher
that she didn’t have the right look to be a model. He told her flat out, “You
will never make the cover of Vogue because you don’t have blond hair or blue eyes.” When she
did, Vogue sold more copies than it had ever sold before.
When Gustave Leven was making plans to launch Perrier in the
United States, several consulting firms advised him, “You’re foolish to try to
sell sparkling water in the land of Coca-Cola drinkers.”
A New York publisher told James Michener after reading his
first unpublished manuscript, “You’re a good editor with a promising future in
the business. Why would you want to throw it all away to try to be a writer? I
read your book. Frankly, it’s not really that good.” Michener's manuscript,
titled Tales of the South Pacific , was eventually sold, later won a Pulitzer Prize and was
adapted for stage and screen as South
Pacific.
Remember, there is nothing unrealistic about a dream that aligns
with your purpose, ignites
your passion, and inspires you to plan and persevere until you attain it. On
the contrary, it’s unrealistic to expect a person with such drive and
commitment not to succeed.
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