I was having a day where nothing felt right, like my hard work was just my wheels spinning. I mentioned it to a market vendor who I have a friendship with. They said something that gave me a moment of pause that brought me back from my pity party. "You Can't Always See Your Successes, But Others Can"
In the journey of life, we often find ourselves navigating through the maze of dreams and aspirations, often in the face of doubt and uncertainty. Success can be a silent companion, shrouded in the shadows, while others perceive it far more clearly than we do. Being too close to something and not seeing the "big picture" is real!
From the very beginning, many of us have faced doubt and skepticism. Perhaps your dreams were deemed too ambitious, or your goals too far-fetched. I know this feeling all too well. I started my own business with dreams that seemed too big. People doubted me, questioned my decisions, and even tried to steer me in different directions. But here's the key: I learned to be okay with their doubt, because it didn't define my path. Doubt can be a powerful motivator, propelling us to prove our worth. It fueled my ambition and made me stronger.
As I continued to work tirelessly towards my goals, local soap makers, who were new to soap making, would say, "We hope to reach goals like yours one day." It was in this moment that I realized my journey was inspiring others, even when I wasn't aware of it. The mere act of persistently pursuing my dreams is motivating those around me, and it was a humbling experience. It reminded me that success isn't just about personal achievement; it's about being a beacon of inspiration for others walking a similar path.
As my business grew, past employers began to lose me to my own venture. It was a bittersweet transition, but one that underlined the importance of pursuing my dreams. Leaving the comfort of a steady job to grow my business was daunting, but it was a necessary step. Success often requires us to leave behind what is safe and familiar. It's about stepping out of your comfort zone and taking a leap of faith. The moment I made that leap, the view of my successes became clearer, both to me and to those around me.
One of the remarkable things about pursuing ambitious goals is that you end up inspiring people you may never meet. I received messages from individuals across the United States, sharing their stories . It's a testament to the ripple effect of success, where our actions resonate far beyond our immediate circle. This realization served as a powerful reminder that we are all connected in the pursuit of our dreams and that our successes have the potential to inspire countless others.
In the end, the saying "You can't always see your successes, but others can" teaches us that success is a journey. It's a process of growth, evolution, and inspiration. While we may not always recognize our own achievements, the impact we have on others is undeniable.
In this photo, I appear exhausted. It was taken at the end of a long week, during which I was working on a new project. I had almost given up on it, convinced that my efforts were in vain. However, Mike encouraged me to put some soap in water and test if my approach would work. To my surprise, it did! The appearance of bubbles in the water indicated that I was ready to take the next step in my project. Mike saw a success that I wasn't seeing.