Overcoming Other's Opinions

by Clint Maun, CSP

Throughout history successful people have overcome the opinions of others. These winners understand they are free to choose their response when facing whatever circumstances encountered. This coupled with a little obliviousness to the circumstances around them has helped them ignore the "prophets of doom" and complete their sometimes-impossible missions. Even the opinions of "experts" were not enough to hold them back from what they knew was right.

Examples include:

• Colonel Sanders - experts said he was "too old" to start a business. (His perseverance paid off!)
• The Wright Brothers knew no one had ever flown the way they intended but went on to success anyway. (A few crashes never stopped their efforts.)
• The Bible describes David as too young, too unskilled, and too poorly equipped to face Goliath. (His faith was rewarded.)
• Someone said of Albert Einstein, "He doesn't wear socks and forgets to cut his hair. He could be mentally retarded." (Thankfully, Einstein was oblivious to these sorts of comments.)
• A sports professional said of Vince Lombardi, "He possesses minimal football knowledge. Lacks motivation." (Lombardi was one of the greatest football coaches in history, leading the Green Bay Packers to five NFL Championships and the first two Super Bowls.)
  
• After Fred Astaire's first screen test, the testing director wrote, "Can't act! Slightly bald! Can dance a little." (Mr. Astaire kept that memo over the fireplace in his Beverly Hills Home.)

These few examples point out the obvious, successful people overcome the odds and opinions of the experts to reach their goals. Be willing to go beyond the "expert's" and other's opinions as you reach toward your success.