Is Everyone Sipping On Haterade These Days?

“Have you ever met a hater doing better than you? Me neither” — Unknown

After publishing hundreds of articles about entrepreneurship, writing, and of course, freelance nursing over the last bit of time, I’ve learned a lot.

Not just about myself as a writer and as a creator, but also about others and their take on people like me.

And perhaps like you too.

I’ve also been working with top-notch A-list copywriters and spent a lot of time getting better at my craft. Invested in some online courses, watched gobs of webinars, and, to put it bluntly, just dove off the deep end of fine-tuning my art.

And all while serving here, overseas, as a front-line healthcare worker.

I’m even being paid for almost all of my work, and I’m kinda proud of that fact.

Being a paid writer and all.

Actually, nah…

I’m damn proud of that fact, to be honest.

The thing is when a person begins to achieve a semblance of success, even it’s just baby steps, a weird thing begins to happen.

Look, it’s not easy for anyone to put themselves out there. It takes courage.

Doesn’t matter if you’re a writer, a startup entrepreneur, videographer, cake-maker, or whatever…it takes guts. Many folks won’t even take that first step of “shipping” your work, and some end up always wondering “what if”.

But I digress…

This isn’t for the “what if” crowd.

This is for the crowd that has laid it on the line and pulled the proverbial trigger.

So the funny thing that happens?

The haters come out to play.

And the trolls (aka: haters)

The trolls always show up.

They can’t wait to see your trip.

And fall.

And then say, “I told ya so.”

They can’t wait to grab your pant leg and yank you back down as you climb the ladder of success.

Some folks say that if people hate on you and your work, it’s because you’re doing something right.

But that doesn’t make it feel any better. Especially if they were close acquaintances or even friends.

But there’s a more profound truth about trolls and haters.

They are almost always insecure and feel insignificant. Probably a self-esteem issue, but that’s for way more intelligent people to dig into.

So before you bite back, push back, or God forbid, strike back, consider these three things and really ponder if it would be worth the time and effort.

A person hates you for 1 of 3 reasons or all of these three things.

They want to be you or just like you

Call it jealousy or envy. It happens, though. We’d hope and pray for folks to be happy and even proud, but the truth is when there are deeper issues, it may manifest as those two bad characteristics.

They are mad at themselves: some turn the anger inward before it projects outward

“Why didn’t I think of that” and then offense for the person who not only thought of it but acted.

They see you as a threat

These could be competitors. Even if you’re not in the same identical “lane,” there may be enough similarity to create angst and possible anger.

But no, I’m not gonna call folks out. That’s not my style. I first strive to understand where that oft misplaced anger comes from, and if I cannot help it, then it’s time to move on.

I’m gonna leave the next little bit for you guys.

The ones,

Doing the work…

Stepping out…

Showing up…

Being brave…

Just remember this.

Don’t ever spend too much time worrying about what other people think of you

If you wanna care about someone’s feelings, care about the people that love you, dig your work, and that actually gives a damn about you as a creator and a human.

And one more thing.

Don’t quit

Now go on now.

Get out there.

You’ve got work to do.