Photo from Figma

Originally Posted On: https://medium.com/@patchbaker/the-people-who-love-you-the-most-may-be-the-most-harmful-to-you-and-your-business-2107740766f9

The people who love you the most, may be the most harmful to you and your business.

It happens in the most innocent of ways.

Before you close your mind entirely, hear me out…

When you were a kid, how many times did you hear a loved one say:

– “Don’t do that, you’re going to get hurt.”

– “Don’t climb that tree, you will fall and break your arm.”

Those people planted thousands of seeds of doubt, even if they were amazing parents and commended you on a million other occasions.

A slight change to the messaging comes in the form of explanation or clarification.

“If you are going to do that, do it this way…”

“If you are going to climb that tree, be sure to hang on tight and use three points of contact. Two hands and one foot or two feet and one hand.”

Instantly, you probably just thought to yourself, “that might be too complicated for a little one to understand”.

You are probably wrong. And, here is why.

As toddlers, we can simultaneously smash a cracker, learn a language, develop fine motor skills, and find new ways to paint the walls with a peanut butter and jelly sandwich … all while discovering gravity and testing our semi flexible bones (and our parents’ blood pressure) as we grapple with balance and two chubby feet.

It’s incredible how fast we learn, compared to how fast our parents expect us to learn.

The same thing is true at any point in our lives if we place a focus on our efforts.

A focus so intense others may not understand.

Your parents and friends may not understand why you want to quit your job or drop out of school to start a business, write a book, or change your entire career choice.

That is ok.

Not everyone can see your vision.

Not everyone has your drive to venture into the unknown.

Many close to you may give advice based on what they believe is the “safest” path for you.

I’m not telling you to be reckless.

However, a healthy dose of curiosity, and a bit of courage to try something new, has led to the biggest changes in all of our lives.

“Don’t let anyone who hasn’t been in your shoes tie your laces.”