Naysayers are a Mirror

[Starting & Finishing - XIV}

I’ve heard it said, “The most comfortable seat on the couch is that of the cynic.”

I disagree.

Cynics have to believe something, even if it’s undeveloped and weak. That means at one point or another they did some critical thinking.

A more comfortable seat on the couch is that of the naysayer. Nothing at all is required. No homework. No critical thinking. No effort at all. Just opposition to you and your idea.

Then why do they fertilize our doubt, prune our confidence, and uproot our momentum?

Why do they hinder our starting and finishing?

Because they reflect back to us the (inner) work we haven’t done.

Work around our insecurities.
Our weaknesses and undeveloped skills.
Our wounds and our hurts.
Our false narratives and self-doubt.

A naysayer is a gift. No, we shouldn’t listen to what they are saying; rather, we should listen and pay close attention to the parts of us that are most sensitive when they naysay.

(You want to steal their strength? Send them a thank you note for being helpful.)