Happy Friday, Friends!
I hope and trust this post finds you all having a great day on this beautiful Friday morning in my Sweet Home Alabama!
What are you doing to take care of yourself, Friend? What are the things that you are pouring into your spirit, heart, mind, and body? None of us can pour from an empty cup, and what is in the well will always come up in the bucket. While your influence on others is unquestionably profound, it all begins with what you allow to influence you.
This morning, I want to share three things that I came across that I think are really good. Perhaps you want to print them off and save them for yourself.
The first one is titled, “Positive Tip: Ignore the Critics; Do the Work.” It was written by Jon Gordon and was published on September 2, 2025.
Ignore the Critics;
Do the Work
(Excerpt from The Power of Positive Leadership by Jon Gordon)
Positive leaders don’t lead because they want recognition or enemies. They lead because there is something they must do, build, create, transform, and change. They lead because it’s who they are and what they are meant to do. However, with leadership comes scrutiny, praise, critics, and attacks. A leader could find a cure for cancer and would still have some people criticize them for it. There was even once a leader who transformed the world by feeding the hungry, healing the sick, and loving the unlovable, and yet he was killed for it. If you are a leader, expect to be attacked. Positive leadership doesn’t mean you won’t be criticized. It means you have the grit and belief to overcome it. Positive leaders don’t lead in a tranquil sea of positivity, but through the storms of adversity and negativity.
Leadership is knowing that the critics will criticize you while still saying what needs to be said and doing what needs to be done. History doesn’t remember the critics. It remembers the one who withstood criticism to accomplish something great.
In our modern social-media–driven world, you will have more fans and critics than ever. The keys are: Don’t let praise go to your head and don’t let critics into your head. Be so invested in your craft that you don’t have time to listen to the naysayers. No time for negativity. You’re too busy creating the future. If I would have listened to the naysayers and critics, I would have stopped working on my craft years ago. I want to encourage you to never let the opinion of others define you and your future. Your identity doesn’t come from what the world says about you. It comes from who you are on the inside. Your work, leadership, and mission are too important to allow others to define your destiny.
No matter what anyone says, just show up and do the work.
If they praise you, show up and do the work.
If they criticize you, show up and do the work.
If no one even notices you, just show up and do the work.
Just keep showing up, doing the work, and leading the way.
Lead with passion.
Fuel up with optimism.
Have faith.
Power up with love.
Maintain hope.
Be stubborn.
Fight the good fight.
Refuse to give up.
Ignore the critics.
Believe in the impossible.
Show up.
Do the work.
You’ll be glad you did.
True grit leads to true success.
- Jon
Jon Gordon also wrote the second one. He titled it, “Positive Tip: Be Your Own Greatest Encourager,” and he published this past Monday, December 1, 20205.
Be Your Own Greatest Encourager
If your best friend was struggling with confidence you wouldn’t condemn them, chide them, or make them feel worse by telling them they will never be successful.
You would tell them you believe in them. You would cheer them on. You would remind them of their past successes and their strengths.
You would share all the reasons why they will succeed.
You would lift them up with your words.
This is how you should talk to yourself as well.
While we need encouragement from others, we need it even more from ourselves.
I want to encourage you to make it a habit to be your own greatest encourager. Don’t let anyone else out encourage you.
Let your encouraging voice be more powerful and positive than any of your friends, colleagues and family.
When doubt creeps in, trust that you have the power to overcome.
When negative thoughts tell you that you won’t make it, tell yourself why you will succeed.
When discouragement tries to defeat you, keep encouraging yourself to win the battle of your mind and in the world.
When distractions try to derail you, keep reminding yourself why your life and work matters.
When your past mistakes seek to condemn you, forgive yourself and tell yourself about the positive future you are creating.
When you become your own greatest encourager, failure will not define you, adversity will not defeat you and negativity will not sabotage you.
You will win the day and the future!
-Jon
I am a huge Jon Gordon fan. You would do well to pick up and read any of his books. My personal favorite is “Training Camp.”
Six Little Stories With Lots Of Meanings
By William Hall
1. Once all the villagers decided to pray for rain. On the day of prayer, all the people gathered, but only one boy came with an umbrella. That is faith.
2. When you throw babies in the air, they laugh because they know you will catch them. That is trust.
3. Every night we go to bed without any assurance of being alive the next morning, but still, we set the alarms to wake up. That is hope.
4. We plan big things for tomorrow in spite of zero knowledge of the future. That is confidence.
5. We see the world suffering, but still, we get married and have children. That is love.
6. On an old man’s shirt was written a sentence ‘I am not 80 years old; I am sweet 16 with 64 years of experience.’ That is attitude.
Have a happy day and live your life like these six stories. Remember – good friends are the rare jewels of life, difficult to find and impossible to replace!
Please don’t hesitate to contact me if there is ever anything I can do for you or your family. I will always help you any way I can. You can reach me at kevin@whatwillyourinfluencebe.com.
Have a great day, a wonderful weekend, please cherish your precious family, and please stay well!
Kev
