Ignore the nattering nabobs of negativity

“Ignore the ones who say it’s too late to start over. Disregard those who say you’ll never amount to anything. Turn a deaf ear to those who say you aren’t smart enough, fast enough, tall enough, or big enough – ignore them.”
Max Lucado: He Still Moves Stones

Ex-Vice President Spiro Agnew’s enduring contribution to the English language was the phrase “nattering nabobs of negativity.” After your world has turned upside down, and you begin taking action to move in new directions, you will meet these people in abundance. Some of them are well-meaning friends and relatives who think they are protecting you from the consequences of risk-taking. Others are not so well-meaning, including those who fear that your success will illuminate their failures.

Mark Twain said that great people will help you see your own potential for greatness, while small people will do everything they can to keep you small. Nurture your relationships with the former; ignore, disregard, and turn a deaf ear to the latter.

Better yet – show them that you can do whatever it is they say you cannot do.