Hey 👋🏾 Bestie!
When I initially entered the 🎤speaker industry, doubts about my abilities arose due to how quickly I secured prominent stages and celebrity red carpet interviews.
I distinctly recall an incident when, after stepping off the stage, the emcee approached me for a conversation. He began with an apology, but I quickly interjected, joking, 'No worries, people often mispronounce my name.' To my surprise, he clarified that his apology wasn't for that, but for having prejudged me before I even spoke. He had assumed I was just another 'pretty face' influencer trying to become a speaker. However, after witnessing my performance, he ranked me among the top 10% of speakers he'd ever encountered.
That day, he undoubtedly learned the lesson of not judging a book by its cover, but more importantly, I learned a lesson too. No matter how diligently I work behind the scenes, there will always be skeptics who question my place.
Therefore, it remains crucial to:
1️⃣. Have a deep understanding of your identity, so external opinions and whispers don't bother you.
2️⃣. Dedicate yourself to relentless hard work, allowing your talent to speak volumes.
3️⃣. Prioritize forgiveness and grace over holding grudges, recognizing that your purpose is bigger than you.