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If someone followed you around all day, criticizing your every move, pointing out your flaws, and doubting your abilities, how long would you tolerate it? Probably not very long. You’d eventually tell them to stop—or to get lost.

But here’s the thing: that voice already exists, and it’s inside your head.

Think about it. Out of everyone in your life, who do you spend the most time talking to? Not your mom, not your partner, not even your best friend. It’s you. And the words you say to yourself, whether you realize it or not, are shaping everything about your life.

Now, imagine if you recorded those thoughts and played them back. What would you hear? Would it sound like encouragement and belief? Or would it sound like a harsh critic, tearing you down and making you feel small?

The way we talk to ourselves matters more than anything. That…

Imagine you’re walking through a dark forest with a lantern in your hand. Each time you praise someone—whether it’s your client, colleague, or even yourself—you’re lighting another lantern along the path. Slowly but surely, the once dim and uncertain road becomes illuminated, guiding everyone forward with clarity and confidence.

Praise is like that lantern—it doesn’t just brighten someone else’s journey, it also lights your own.

In Dale Carnegie’s How to Win Friends and Influence People, he emphasizes that genuine praise is one of the most powerful tools we have to connect, inspire, and influence. And in sales—where trust and relationships are everything—praise can be the key that opens even the most guarded doors.

Let me share a quick story:

A friend of mine, a sales professional, was struggling to close a big deal. Every meeting felt transactional, and the relationship with the client lacked warmth. One day, instead of diving…

I’ll never forget the meeting that almost ruined my week.

It was with a long-time client, someone I thought I had built a strong relationship with. But as the meeting went on, their tone became sharp, their questions relentless, and their feedback—well, let’s just say it was less than kind.

As I walked out of the office, I felt the weight of their words pressing down on me. I replayed the conversation in my mind, dissecting every criticism and wondering, What did I do wrong?

By the time I got to my car, I was already dreading the rest of the week. But then, I remembered a quote I had read recently:

“The only path by which another person can upset you is through your own thoughts.”

I paused, sitting there in the parking lot, and asked myself a tough question:

Imagine standing at the entrance to a grand castle. The castle is your mind, and you are the gatekeeper. Outside, countless messengers arrive daily, each carrying suggestions—some kind, others critical, some inspiring, others disheartening.

Here’s the thing: none of these messengers can enter unless you open the gate. They have no power to influence the castle unless you decide their message is worth listening to.

The same is true in life. The opinions, judgments, and suggestions of others only hold power when we allow them into our thoughts. When we let criticism or doubt into the castle of our mind, we give it room to grow. But when we recognize that we alone are the gatekeepers, we reclaim our power.

Remember this: a suggestion is just that—a suggestion. It only gains weight when you give it attention, believe it, and act on it. The next time someone offers a negative opinion…