Over the weekend, I got a Google Alert that my name had been mentioned on a blog. Like I typically do, I followed the link over to the blog and read the post where I was mentioned (not really expecting much).

What I read just hit me in the heart. This person (who goes by Hope, which is not her real name, but it’s the name she uses for anonymity’s sake) is literally me in 2008. She’s working a job she hates, with people she doesn’t like, and she’s wanting more out of life and out of her situation. She’s on a journey to self-employment, and she took her lunch break one day to read more about blogging (aka. to read the free report I offer on this blog).

I read her blog post out loud to my husband as we were driving to church on Saturday night. After I read her blog post, I told my husband that I was feeling a lot of things.

First of all, I was feeling extremely grateful and excited that something I wrote mattered to someone else. I don’t care how long you’ve been blogging – it’s always nice to hear how you’ve affected someone else positively.

Secondly, I immediately had flashbacks to 2008 and the vastly different situation I was in then. I thought about what I would have wanted someone to say to me when I was in Hope’s situation.

So, this one is for Hope. And all those like Hope who are pulling double-duty by working a job and trying to build a business. Those who are feeling desperate for a way out of their current situation. Those who want more and want to be more. This is for you.

Turn all of your bad days, your discouragement, your anger, and your sadness into motivation to create better circumstances.

Two years ago, I would never have told you I’d be working for myself, with a schedule I define, and setting up the life I want to have for my future. I never would have told you I’d have the courage to leave a job. I would have never told you that I’ll be able to stay home with my future kids someday because my work allows for it. I would have never told you I’d be living life on my own terms. I just didn’t think it was in the cards for me.

But once I started channeling all of that negative energy into one end goal, life started changing, baby. And the negative people I was around at my old job just fueled my motivational fire.

Let the deep discontent be your motivation.

Don’t listen to those who say you can’t do it. Listen to those who are cheering you on.

Much like Hope, I had people telling me I was literally crazy. That there’s no way I could make a living doing anything related to blogging.

It’s hard not to focus on those types of comments. It really is. But try to focus on those around you who are building you up. My husband built me up. My parents built me up. The connections I had made online built me up. And in some ways, I owe my success to them. They kept me going when I needed a push, and they told me I was wrong when I said I couldn’t do it and I might just give up.

It’s going to be a long road. But the good news is that you’re totally capable.

Don’t sell yourself short. You are capable of amazing things when you’re pushed to the limit. When you need to survive by doing this crazy thing called blogging, you’ll survive. Because at that point, failure just isn’t an option.

Don’t give up.

Just don’t. You’ll always wonder “what if” if you do.

This is your life. You make the rules. You make it what it is.

We so often forget that and give our power away to others. You are in control of your own life. You want a change? The only person standing in your way is you.

Try not to get too cynical about nay-sayers.

This is something I’ve had to work through. It’s hard not to want to smack the people who seem like they were just put on this planet to put you down. But the truth is – you should feel kind of bad for them. They’ve bought into this lie that good is good enough when it comes to your life. They’ve lost their inner dreamer.

Educate people where you can. Separate yourself from the others.

When it seems like everyone is against you, or the world is against you, remember this: you are the exception to the rule, so of course it’s going to be harder for you.

It might be easier to live a mediocre life. But it’s much more rewarding to push the boundaries and meet your potential.

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