One of the things I have been working on over the past couple of years is developing a little bit of some thicker skin.

For a while, I developed a Captain America shield…and then I realized how counter-productive that was. Nailing the extremes on each side is really a recipe for disaster.

Plus, that was creating a problem that I was trying to address with this blog in the first place. Isn’t one of the main complaints from women that their guy doesn’t show emotion or tell them whats on their mind? So, I threw that out…didn’t work for me…felt like suit that fit really badly.

So, where was the turning point.

The turning point came when I set my goals, woke up every morning listening to successful people and their speeches + advice, and put my head down to go after my dreams.

One of the biggest pieces of advice I have heard is don’t pay attention to the critics. Almost everyone I have studied has said the same thing. Because the critics will drag you down and tell you that you aren’t this or that.

They will tell you this, something that has been pasted to the front page of my journal for years.

So don’t listen to those who say you can’t.

They are telling you that you can’t for many reasons, but mostly because they don’t want to see you achieve your goal because it will expose them. If that gives you a little extra motivation, use it. Let it pump you up that people are saying you can’t do something, or that you aren’t capable, or that you don’t have what it takes.

When I go into the gym, I have a ritual. I tie my shoes, I get my workout book, I get what gear I need, and I go sit down on a bench with a bar. I sit towards the bar, I cross my arms over it, and I put my head down on my arms. I close my eyes. I think back to the things that have hurt me, the times I have been injured, the people who have hurt me, and those who said I couldn’t…and I let it fuel my heart because I know that what I am doing right now, in this present moment, is everything that I had always dreamed of doing.

But with the darkness, comes the light…and I pray.

“Thank you for keeping me healthy. Thank you for keeping my mind clean.Give me the strength, the will, and the ability to be bold today, to not only achieve my goals and dreams, but to create something that will inspire others to reach out for their heart’s desires.”

And then…I tear it up.

I am a patient person…I really am. In fact, I learned patience in a situation that was like baptism by fire.

Most the time our life has a good way of teaching us things we really need to learn by throwing us into it…not just putting our feet in the water.

I am patient, I will put my thoughts on the line for people, and I will do things for people who care about me without a second request. But if you treat me like a joke…I don’t even have to finish the rest of this sentence.

Surround yourself with people who think like you, because they will support, encourage, and enhance your dreams.

They will help you up when you are down, and they will keep you trucking ahead when you are moving. As for everyone else…let them do their thing. I tip my hat to you, good luck.

Evan Sanders
The Better Man Project