Don’t Listen to the Experts

The Beatles Didn’t

Several years ago, my family and I took a trip to The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland, Ohio. If you love music and the back stories, you’ll love this place. One of the things that really stood out for me was at the Beatles display. It was one of their rejection letters. It really made me think about what would have happened if the Beatles gave up after reading that letter.  I snuck a picture of it and made a small card with the caption “Don’t Listen to the Experts” and gave it to my son, who is pursuing a career in music, a road less traveled. 

Here’s why I did it. The Beatles represent dreamers everywhere. They didn’t have overnight success. They worked seven days a week gigging for very little pay. Their journey to stardom was anything but straightforward or glamorous. 

But their story was and always will be an example of the two key ingredients that almost every successful person shares: rejection and resilience.

Rejection

The Beatles thought they had landed their big break when they had a meeting with Decca Records. But the meeting was another misjudgment by an expert. They were turned down because a notable executive in the music industry, who was known to be able to spot talent, said “guitar groups are on their way out.” 

This could have been the end of The Long and Winding Road, but it wasn’t.

Resilience

Despite the expert’s rejection and opinion, the Beatles didn’t give up. They continued to hone their skill, play their gigs, and build a following as if they had already made it. It wasn’t because someone recognized them as such, it was because they themselves recognized it first! 

Their resilience paid off, eventually signing with another label and, as we know, the rest is history.

Here is the takeaway: Even Experts Can be Wrong!!!

Put that on repeat.

No one’s an expert on your purpose. This realization resonated with me, and I’m sure many other dreamers.  After all, we’ve been taught that “others know better.” 

The opinion of others has so deeply been ingrained into our subconscious that we quiet our inner voice, our inner genius, our gut feeling that signals “this advice doesn’t sit well with me.” 

This is especially true when it comes to creative work, and any work where passion is at the forefront. 

While expert advice can guide us, it should not deter us from pursuing something we truly believe in.

You Say You Want a Revolution, Try Shifting the Narrative 

Here’s the thing… 

We’re taught to judge dreams, goals, and people through a lens of past experiences, other people’s opinions, and quantifiable measures such as IQ scores and wealth.

However, there is a profound element that can’t be captured or measured by any metric - your why. Your why is the driving force that propels you forward, ignites your passion, and fuels your determination. 

It’s one of the great differentiators of the people who make things happen for themselves from the people who regret not trying.

It is an invisible force so powerful that nothing can stand in its way. 

Despite the criticism, despite the rejection, despite the daunting critique of their vision and mission, the Beatles kept going. Not only did they keep going, but it’s also as if they used every rejection as fuel. 

Everyone has opinions, but no one knows the way your heart skips a beat when you’re onto something divinely assigned to you. 

Denial means nothing. Criticism means nothing. Rejection means nothing. It doesn’t speak to your gift, or your talent. It doesn’t tell whether you’ll make it or not. All it does is serve as evidence on whether you believe in you and your mission. 

Write this down and carry it with you: No one, but you, can be an expert on your purpose. Don’t let anyone dictate the evolution of who you are meant to become.

Oh! Darling; How to Start

Defining Your Why 

Your why is the deep-rooted purpose and meaning that underlies your actions and aspirations. It encompasses your values, passions, and the impact you want to make in the world around you. It goes beyond mere intelligence and taps into the very essence of who you are. Your why is unique to you and serves as a compass, guiding your decisions and motivating you to overcome challenges. 

Say Hello to Courage

While intelligence can open doors, it is your why that provides you with the courage to walk through them. Your why is the fire within that fuels your determination and resilience. It propels you forward even in the face of adversity, pushing you to persevere despite what others say. 

Transcending Limitations

Keep your why at the forefront of your thoughts. Thoughts create feelings and feelings lead to action. Action is the immeasurable power.

Aligning Actions with Purpose

When your actions align with your why, you enter a state of flow with clarity that allows you to make decisions in harmony with your values and goals, leading to genuine fulfillment.

In my opinion, understanding your why is the most important component in any pursuit. But hey, I’m no expert!

After all, in a world where The Beatles were once rejected, anything can happen. It’s possible!