Haters Don’t Matter

When we look back on my life up to now, I'm reminded of the unwavering dedication and commitment to what defines me. Be it in the early stages, in which critics took notice that are, unfortunately, an aspect of today’s society . I’ve encountered my fair share of haters and ones who seem to feed on negativity, whereas I'm only surrounded by encouragement and support. I've realized that these critics, far from setting us back, are now inconsequential to me. I'll share my experience on why haters don't really matter and how we can turn up the volume on positivity, and disregard outside noise.

When it comes to understanding the origin of hating, it's really about understanding the people who are doing the criticising. Jealousy, disappointment and confusion are all things that can fuel criticism, and these people often overlook the years of blood, sweat and tears that go into our lives and careers, and just rip apart our hard work. They might be revealing something about themselves, not our capabilities, and if we can acknowledge this, we can shield ourselves from the hurtful things they say and understand that they don’t affect who we are.

Criticism, hate is rooted in fear and also sends me back to my own vulnerabilities. When someone is attempting to yell at me, they may be fighting their own battles, often because they're scared of failing. When we get hit by a hater, it could be because they're insecure about something, or because they've never lived up to their potential, and they're trying to knock us down so they can feel better about themselves. Bad job.

Critics, where I’m from, are often called "haters", are subconsciously trying to raise themselves by putting others down, believe it or not. They see their reputation and social standing as growing when they point out the things that are wrong with others who succeed. We should be able to feel sorry for the pain that they've gone through, without letting it consume us.

If we want to turn the tables and focus on what matters most, here are three principles that we can use. When we reflect on our goals and achievements, we're training our minds to zoom in on the positive aspects of our journey, and techniques from the realm of sports psychology can be really helpful here, such as visualisation and positive affirmations. Every time you come across a nasty comment, think of it as a pebble dropped into a pond. It's gone and won't be changing the calm surface of your determination anytime soon.

Constructive feedback from coaches, trainers and supportive friends is basically priceless, and aims to take our game to the next level, growing us, rather than crushing us. Knowing the difference between constructive and negative criticism lets us throw away the rubbish and zero in on the good stuff, and with that we can hone our skills without being crippled by grudges.

The company we keep also plays a massive role in our mental state. Hanging out with people who lift us up, whether it's teammates, friends or mentors, makes for an environment where positivity is the order of the day, and these people can knock out the negative vibes with their encouragement. Well-known networks of positive influences can also give us the strength to push through the haters, and come out on top in both triumph and hardship.

Building our self-worth is something that's crucial in a world where there are people who don't like us.

A strong sense of self-esteem is the best way to block out the poison of other people's negativity. Things like journaling, mindfulness and counting up our achievements help us to really know ourselves, and by doing so, we’re able to shield ourselves against criticism.

Rather than trying to kill off the haters, we could be turning their energy into something we can use.

Turning the nasty comments into motivation and transforming them into fuel for our passion. It's not uncommon for athletes to let it get under their skin, but when they do, it often fuels their competitive spirit to rise up in the face of adversity, when faced with criticism and hate. People who are already set against you, or are quick to mock, will never hold the power over your journey, says the author.

The way you take it, constructive feedback, a circle of positive people and your unwavering belief in yourself will be the keys to getting you past what’s being said about you, and on the path to your goals.

We all know that the fire of dignity, passion, and hard work of athletes far outlasts the snarky remarks of their critics. Coming from someone else, a lot of things don't stick, but you can turn criticism into something that works in your favour.

You're capable of lighting the way for others, creating a lasting legacy and leading by example.

You're the one who will keep pushing forward, with confidence in the fact that you are, in control of your journey. People who say negative things, are basically just spectators to your remarkable success story.

If you channel your inner drive and self-improvement and use the rubbish talk of others to push you forward, you’ll not only excel as an athlete, but also as a person who has come out on top of a difficult situation.