Wisdom from Taylor Swift...

In 2008 I would not have guessed I would quote Taylor Swift for the purpose of talking about worldly wisdom. 
 

Like most Americans, I spent most of 2008 feeling forced to hear her song "Love Story" any time I was anywhere with speakers.  

Flash forward 7 years, and I am a new fan of Taylor Swift... the person.  

She said something in an interview that got my attention.

She said…

 "It is a human instinct to try and defend yourself when people have a certain impression of you... but that's not as important as what you want to accomplish." 

Such a simple statement and yet something we all spend far too much time getting backwards.

We want people to know so quickly that we are the kind of person to work with, listen to, and want to be around.  

We want people to know this about us as clearly as we know this about ourselves. When we think about the impressions we want to make we have far too much concern of other people's perceptions of us. 

That is when we risk losing our truth in the "act" of hoping to be liked.   

It is a lot of pressure to place on you, and that pressure often is why people chose not to follow their passion or cause as often as they should. 

This is why we have to shift how we think about what we do and what we want to achieve.  

 Hear this clear! 

Thinking too much about the impressions you want to make on others will change the passion you have for your purpose. 

The importance we place on the perceptions others have about us isn't as important as what you are trying to achieve.  

If you believe in your cause, whatever that cause may be...do not let someone who doesn't care as much as you do decide how far you go.

Outside influences and obstacle are everywhere. 

Overcoming naysayers is about staying poised and clear on what you want to achieve.

Stay the path!

Reaching your goals depends on your ability to recognize a roadblock in your way, and literally “Shake it off” (Taylor Swift album, 1989 [2014]).