Ayodeji is an author, writing coach, and digital marketing Director at MLT Group – A digital marketing agency in Minneapolis offering SEO Services & Web Design
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I run a website helping aspiring writers build their careers. A week ago, I published a post about ways you can make good money self-publishing your own books (something I know how to do from experience).
Many people posted positive comments saying they would work harder and give book publishing a chance.
A few, however, posted the same type of comments I’ve grown accustomed to over the years.
“Sure, that works for you, but most people don’t succeed.”
“It takes a lot of hard work to succeed as a writer and most aren’t willing to do it.”
“Successful writers are outliers.”
When people say these types of statements, I can’t disagree with them.
It is hard to build your own side career or business.
Most people don’t succeed in doing so.
Many people do have real obstacles and circumstances that make following their dreams harder.
What about you?
What are you trying to pursue or wish you were pursuing right now?
Are you trying to start your own mini empire?
Do you want a better job?
Are you just trying to find peace and contentment?
You can make a case for yourself for why you can’t do any of these things. And everything you say would be true.
I came across a quote a while back — a quote I live by every day.
“If you argue for your limitations you can keep them.”
You’re technically not wrong when you bring up the obstacles that come your way, but convincing yourself all the negative aspects of your life are permanent leaves you cemented.
Sometimes I want to tell people “Ok, if you want to tell me all the reasons why you can’t do what you want to do with your life, I’ll accept them as fact. Do nothing. Be nothing. Stay stuck.”
I do my best to be an encouraging and motivating, but some people see life through a lens of failure and obstacles. Maybe those people are hopeless.
I don’t believe everyone is this way though. I know this because I used to be one of those people who only saw what I couldn’t do.
As always, most of my messages revolve around this moment of truth.
The moment of truth is this. You are where you are right now. You have obstacles — finances, kids, debt, stress, fatigue, anxiety, more debt, past failures, and no evidence you’re going to change. OK.
You also have another possibility, which is to dig deep within yourself and take whatever ounce of motivation you have and ride it as long as you can.
And it does suck sometimes.
You will have to climb up a mountain of mud while rocks are falling on your head to get where you want to go.
It’s funny, I continue to do things I once thought were impossible. Each time I accomplish something new, I realize how much I was overestimating how difficult it was in the first place. Once you start, gain momentum, and pile up small victories in the win column, you see your limiting beliefs for what they are — ghosts, figments of your imagination, useless thoughts.
I’ll be here with you every Monday for as long as you decide to stay. I’ll be your constant reminder of this phrase. “Whether you think you can or can’t, you’re right.”
I won’t tell you you’re going to be a millionaire overnight, or that your problems will magically disappear, or that it’ll be easy.
But I’ll constantly remind you the things you’re capable of doing are behind the wall of excuses you build for yourself.
Let’s demolish that wall, jump over it, or run around it.
Somehow, someway, let’s find a way.
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Originally published at medium.com