Share at Your Own Risk

When I was a teenager my parents gave me an invaluable piece of advice.  I don't recall what event triggered them to give me this very helpful yet simple tip.  They said: "Don't tell people about something before it happens."  Of course they said it in Spanish and they used more words to explain it to my younger self.  What they were trying to tell me is, don't go out there announcing that this or that is going to happen before it actually does.  Don't tell people you are going to buy a new house or you're going to start a business.  They said: "Many people are envious, some subconsciously, and they will introduce negative energy that for some reason or an other will cause your desired result not to come true."  They also went on to say that this doesn't just apply to people you don't know, it applies to your very own friends or even family members.

At first I questioned their advice.  How could telling someone about something I know will happen, affect it to the point that it doesn't come true?  All questioning went out the window after a few times of seeing their advice play out in front of my eyes.  I would tell my friends about something that I was excited about which hadn't yet come to fruition but I knew it would.  Then out of the blue, this thing I was so sure about, ends up fizzling out and not happening.  This happened to me several times before it finally dawned on me that my parents had given me a piece of advice that I could readily apply in my life.

One of the problems with sharing your goals or ideas too soon is that you force your ego to have to explain your decision and many times defend your idea.  All of which takes your focus off of achieving it and many times introduces doubt.  If you're working on a business idea, don't go telling the world about it until you have something concrete established.  Do it to early and you risk failing.  Keep it to yourself until you have something to show for it. 

With regard to sharing information with family members Sara Blakely, the Founder and Owner of Spanx, said this: "Ideas are the most vulnerable in their infancy. Family and friends often express concern or doubts (out of love) that can stop people dead in their tracks."  She kept her business idea secret from her own family until about a year into it.  She was afraid they would convince her not to pursue this business idea, which now has made her the youngest female billionaire in the world.  Thank goodness she knew about the secret tip my parents gave me lol.

The rule is: Don't tell people about your goals or ideas, unless of course, these people can help you achieve these goals or help move your ideas into a positive direction.  If these people can't affect the positive outcome, then don't share it with them.  I know it's so hard to keep quiet but you have to give up the need for immediate gratification in order to achieve long term fulfillment.  Of course you can always share it once it's come true.  Stay grateful my friends!