I had a conversation awhile back with a young man who was thinking of going to medical school.  This is a bright young man, talented and focused.  There’s no question (at least in my mind) that he will not only excel in medical school, but that he will also be a very good doctor.

His detractors told him it was a bad idea.  He wouldn’t like it.  He wouldn’t be successful.  He wouldn’t be happy.  I told him just the opposite.  I know he will be successful, happy and that he will enjoy it. Long story short, he decided to go, got into a prestigious school, and is on his way this fall.

No matter where you go, no matter what you do, there will be people who tell you you are great and that you’ll do well, and those who would like to keep you down where they are (and where they will always be.)  Who do you listen to when the “free advice” starts flowing?  Much of your personal success in life will depend on who you listen to.

The problem comes when we try and decide who to listen to.  Your mom (and often your spouse) thinks you’ll be successful and whatever you do.  So we often discount those opinions as not very credible.  On the other hand, maybe we’re too quick to discount them.  After all, these are people who know us better than anyone.  And they love us.  Why would they lie to us?

Our friends are honest with us and we can put complete trust their opinions.  Or can we?  Just because you’re my friend doesn’t mean you don’t have a hidden motive when you offer advice.  Maybe you tell me I wouldn’t be a good doctor because you know that if I go away to medical school, our paths will diverge and things will never be the same between us.

The bottom line is be very careful who you listen to.  Don’t put a lot of weight into detracting voices.  Above all, listen to your heart.  Somehow, if you do that, you always know what’s best for you.

Always follow your dreams and visions.  What’s the worst that can happen?  You could be unemployed?  So what?  Go do something else if this doesn’t work.  Don’t allow yourself to be held hostage by fear of failure.  Get in the fight.  Do your best and see where you end up.  You only go around once.  Make the most of it.  Don’t let someone else’s negative opinion keep you from realizing your dreams.