DON'T LET ANYONE DISCREDIT YOU

Sometimes your credibility will be tested.

,

When you are doing something meaningful. And you believe in yourself and your mission.

You may face people who question your purpose, your experience, or your ability to help others.

When that happens, do not let them discredit you.

20 YEARS IN PRISON

I once visited a juvenile detention center to teach teenagers life skills, communication skills, and job skills. When I introduced myself, one teenager raised his hand and asked, "Have you ever been to jail?"

I said, "No."

He replied, "How can you relate to us? How can you teach us anything if you've never been locked up yourself?"

I said, "Let me ask you a question to make sure I'm the right person for you. There's another speaker who comes here. He spent 20 years in prison, and now he travels around speaking to teenagers like you about why it's not a good idea to go to prison. So, I want to see a show of hands. Raise your hand if you believe it's not a good idea to go to prison."

All the teens raised their hands.

IT TOOK 30 SECONDS

I said, "Okay, we just answered a question together in 30 seconds. All of us believe it's not a good idea to go to prison, and we didn't have to spend 20 years there to figure that out. Now, one thing the other speaker will talk to you about is how to survive prison. That is not something I'm qualified to talk to you about because I have no plans to go to prison. Now, raise your hand if you plan to go to prison and would prefer to hear the other guy speak to you about prison survival skills."

No one raised their hands.

I looked at the teen who had asked me the question and said, "As someone who grew up in a single-parent home in the hood, managed to get out and became educated, started a business, became an author, and became a professional speaker, I'm here to talk to you about how you can survive the streets and take a different path. One that will lead to you becoming more skilled, educated, and successful so you can avoid facilities like this. Based on this, do you believe I'm the person who should be speaking to you about this?"

"Yes, sir."

"Okay, now you have your answer."

STAND IN YOUR VALUE

When someone questions your purpose, remember that your value does not depend on their approval. Never let their opinion discredit you because You Are WORTHY TO BE GREAT!