I talked myself out of my dreams (you might think twice too)

 

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I talked myself out of my dreams. 

Seriously. I mean, are we sure we want a personal brand? 

Because I’m skeptical. 

I… don’t think I want to be famous.

Okay, so I never actually wanted to be famous.

But what I wanted would have held a high chance of me falling into some level of fame.

I’ve decided to limit my success.

I am purposefully NOT going to go hard.

I’ve thought about it and I literally talked myself out of my hopes and dreams.

Go hard or go home?

I’m going home.

Okay that’s an exaggeration.

My ambitions are too crazy to turn off honestly, but maybe I’ll just temper myself.

I’m going to go moderate.

I’m pulling the crosshairs in from Mt Everest down towards more of a Mt. Olympus.

Challenging enough to satisfy my hunger for achievement but saturated enough for me to get lost in the masses.

This is absurd to think about when I say it like that

But, I mean, think about it.

So many people are sold into the shiny lights of being known.

Being revered, loved and followed by many.

Adulated and praised, admired and esteemed.

So shiny.

Even more, these days there are more and more people selling the personal brand as the dream.

“It’s the way the world is going.”

“You’ll be left behind if you don’t.”

“It’s the only real and best way to financial freedom.”

But it’s a lie.

It’s not the only way to financial freedom.

It’s not even the best way.

I’d even argue there is no best way for everyone.

There’s no one size fits all.

What’s good for one person might be suffering for another.

Literal heartache and pain.

Sometimes I wonder, have the people growing their personal brand thought of the consequences?

Have they counted the cost?

Because I’m counting, and it’s expensive!

After a certain level of fame, there are particular hazards that become par for the course.

Invasion of privacy: some heartlessly believe you signed up for it

Keeping up appearances: “Be yourself” until you make a mistake and then it’s “get off the stage”

Stay relevant: your brand is your job now, no show equals no money

Fake friends: good luck if you didn’t nurture good friendships beforehand

Expectations: do the thing or we don’t care anymore. Wait…who’s working for who?

I’m sure you can think of more.

Listen, I’m sorry if I’m dashing anyone else’s dreams.

I just think if you’re gonna do it, be sure you want it. All of it.

Don’t go in ignorantly and get blindsided.

Know what you’re getting into, because those heartless people who invade your privacy are sort of right.

You’ll be signing up for it. Ignorantly or not.

And, unfortunately, ignorance doesn’t save us from the built-in consequences that life deals.

So then let’s think.

Because the question comes.

Now that we’ve counted the cost, will the ROI cover it?

It depends.

What do we want?

I want to make an impact.

A real impact.

On people’s minds.

On their souls.

I want to move them to action.

But…

How can you make an impact without proving yourself to people?

How can you prove yourself without making yourself public?

How can you make yourself public without risking…fame?

You literally can’t.

The occupational hazard of reaching the masses is contending with them.

The good, the bad, and the ugly.

But the reward of reaching that one person, the start of the butterfly effect that will billow out nigh infinitely into the unknown future?

People, that’s literally priceless.

Guys, it’s a hard pill to swallow

Believe me. I know. It was lodged in my throat for a hot second.

But, if you want it—a real and genuine impact—you’ve got to be willing to take the roses with the thorns.

Just don’t be go in blind.

Make a decision.

And when you’re ready, charge on guns blazing.

“Which of you, desiring to build a tower, does not first sit down and count the cost, whether he has enough to complete it?” (Luke 14:28)

~Niquey