- PPF Points
- 2,100
How I Kept Going When Everyone Said I Was Wasting My Time
You know what’s wild? Chasing a dream nobody really “gets” is basically signing up for an endless supply of unsolicited opinions. Your cousin at BBQs, the nosy neighbor, the guy in your DMs—you’ll hear it all:
“This is never gonna work.”
“Dude, just get a normal job.”
“Are you… okay?”
At first, I pretended I didn’t care. Spoiler: I totally cared. It messed with my head. I started second-guessing every decision, every little win. Confidence? MIA.
Still, I didn’t quit. I’m not saying I’m some kind of superhero or a positivity robot. I just scraped together ways to make my own motivation out of practically nothing but stubbornness and daydreams.
If you’re in that weird limbo between giving up and giving ’em the finger, read on. Here’s how I stayed fired up when the world wanted me to throw in the towel.
1. I Nailed Down My ‘Why’ (And Kept Reminding Myself)
Staying motivated without knowing your “why” is like trying to drive cross-country blindfolded. For me? I wanted freedom. I wanted to build something nobody could take away from me. Basically, I wanted to prove to myself (and maybe a few haters) that I could pull something wild off.
So I scribbled my “why” on sticky notes and fake-motivational phone wallpapers. And, honestly, every time I saw them, I remembered—other people didn’t have to get it. I’ll carry this regardless.
Try it: write down your “why.” Seriously. Even if it’s corny. Stick it somewhere you can’t ignore.
2. Learned to Just… Tolerate Doubt (Not Beat It)
I used to think self-doubt was something you had to “defeat.” Nah, man, it’s just noise in the background. Some days it’s a whisper, other days it’s a full rock concert in my head.
So, I started treating doubt like a rando at the bus stop: ah, there you are again. You can come along, but you’re not driving, okay? Newsflash: The people with the harshest “advice” usually haven’t built squat themselves.
3. Painted My Dream in IMAX in My Head
Daydreaming isn’t just for bored kids in math class. I legit spent five minutes each day just seeing my future: waking up in a place I love, working with clients who get it, buying overpriced coffee at noon just cuz I can.
Made it real enough in my head that quitting started to feel way, way dumber than just hanging on for one more day.
Bonus: Vision boards aren’t just for Pinterest moms. Try recording a voice memo of Future You talking—go back and listen when you’re doubting.
4. Fueling Up on Tiny Wins
Chasing big goals can feel like you’re running on a treadmill—sweating buckets, but not really getting anywhere. So I started celebrating all the baby steps. First subscriber? Hell yeah. Five bucks in affiliate cash? Manifesting my yacht. Sent that pitch I was dreading? Go me.
Little milestones, huge morale boost. Most people bail because they think nothing’s happening. Honestly? The magic’s in the slow grind.
5. Avoiding the Dream Suckers
Let’s keep it 100: some people are allergic to other people’s ambition. I didn’t ghost everyone, but I got picky. Shared wins with folks who were actually rooting for me. Hit mute on the serial doubters. Curated my feed, my messages, all of it.
Instead, I found my tribe—podcasts, books, group chats with people who got it. Motivation’s contagious. Catch it where you can.
6. Building a Squad (Even if It’s Just Online)
Nobody in my real life understood half of what I was doing. My grandma still thinks I “work for the computers.” But online? I found fellow weirdos—people chasing the same stuff, celebrating the same random wins.
I jumped into Facebook groups, slid into DMs, joined newsletters, whatever. Community doesn’t have to be IRL. Sometimes just seeing other people pulling it off is enough to remind you you’re not bananas.
7. Gave Myself Actual Days Off (And Didn’t Guilt Trip About It)
Hustle culture? Meh. Some weeks I couldn’t bring myself to do squat. Instead of spiraling into shame, I just… let myself rest. Weekends off. Socials off. Netflix on. Guess what? Came back fresher, ideas sharper.
You can’t grind 24/7 and expect not to short-circuit. Take the break, don’t apologize.
Pro-tip: Schedule your rest like you schedule your work. Your brain will thank you.
—
That’s the unfiltered playbook. Not magic, not always pretty. But, hey, I’m still standing. So if you’re hunting down a dream and everyone’s heckling you from the sidelines? Keep moving. The only person who has to believe in it is you. Well, and maybe your dog.
You know what’s wild? Chasing a dream nobody really “gets” is basically signing up for an endless supply of unsolicited opinions. Your cousin at BBQs, the nosy neighbor, the guy in your DMs—you’ll hear it all:
“This is never gonna work.”
“Dude, just get a normal job.”
“Are you… okay?”
At first, I pretended I didn’t care. Spoiler: I totally cared. It messed with my head. I started second-guessing every decision, every little win. Confidence? MIA.
Still, I didn’t quit. I’m not saying I’m some kind of superhero or a positivity robot. I just scraped together ways to make my own motivation out of practically nothing but stubbornness and daydreams.
If you’re in that weird limbo between giving up and giving ’em the finger, read on. Here’s how I stayed fired up when the world wanted me to throw in the towel.
1. I Nailed Down My ‘Why’ (And Kept Reminding Myself)
Staying motivated without knowing your “why” is like trying to drive cross-country blindfolded. For me? I wanted freedom. I wanted to build something nobody could take away from me. Basically, I wanted to prove to myself (and maybe a few haters) that I could pull something wild off.
So I scribbled my “why” on sticky notes and fake-motivational phone wallpapers. And, honestly, every time I saw them, I remembered—other people didn’t have to get it. I’ll carry this regardless.
Try it: write down your “why.” Seriously. Even if it’s corny. Stick it somewhere you can’t ignore.
2. Learned to Just… Tolerate Doubt (Not Beat It)
I used to think self-doubt was something you had to “defeat.” Nah, man, it’s just noise in the background. Some days it’s a whisper, other days it’s a full rock concert in my head.
So, I started treating doubt like a rando at the bus stop: ah, there you are again. You can come along, but you’re not driving, okay? Newsflash: The people with the harshest “advice” usually haven’t built squat themselves.
3. Painted My Dream in IMAX in My Head
Daydreaming isn’t just for bored kids in math class. I legit spent five minutes each day just seeing my future: waking up in a place I love, working with clients who get it, buying overpriced coffee at noon just cuz I can.
Made it real enough in my head that quitting started to feel way, way dumber than just hanging on for one more day.
Bonus: Vision boards aren’t just for Pinterest moms. Try recording a voice memo of Future You talking—go back and listen when you’re doubting.
4. Fueling Up on Tiny Wins
Chasing big goals can feel like you’re running on a treadmill—sweating buckets, but not really getting anywhere. So I started celebrating all the baby steps. First subscriber? Hell yeah. Five bucks in affiliate cash? Manifesting my yacht. Sent that pitch I was dreading? Go me.
Little milestones, huge morale boost. Most people bail because they think nothing’s happening. Honestly? The magic’s in the slow grind.
5. Avoiding the Dream Suckers
Let’s keep it 100: some people are allergic to other people’s ambition. I didn’t ghost everyone, but I got picky. Shared wins with folks who were actually rooting for me. Hit mute on the serial doubters. Curated my feed, my messages, all of it.
Instead, I found my tribe—podcasts, books, group chats with people who got it. Motivation’s contagious. Catch it where you can.
6. Building a Squad (Even if It’s Just Online)
Nobody in my real life understood half of what I was doing. My grandma still thinks I “work for the computers.” But online? I found fellow weirdos—people chasing the same stuff, celebrating the same random wins.
I jumped into Facebook groups, slid into DMs, joined newsletters, whatever. Community doesn’t have to be IRL. Sometimes just seeing other people pulling it off is enough to remind you you’re not bananas.
7. Gave Myself Actual Days Off (And Didn’t Guilt Trip About It)
Hustle culture? Meh. Some weeks I couldn’t bring myself to do squat. Instead of spiraling into shame, I just… let myself rest. Weekends off. Socials off. Netflix on. Guess what? Came back fresher, ideas sharper.
You can’t grind 24/7 and expect not to short-circuit. Take the break, don’t apologize.
Pro-tip: Schedule your rest like you schedule your work. Your brain will thank you.
—
That’s the unfiltered playbook. Not magic, not always pretty. But, hey, I’m still standing. So if you’re hunting down a dream and everyone’s heckling you from the sidelines? Keep moving. The only person who has to believe in it is you. Well, and maybe your dog.
