Why You Can’t Let People Count You Out

In the last two NBA seasons, I’ve watched with the rest of the world as Stephen Curry has staked his claim as one of the world’s best basketball players. The two-time MVP wasn’t always the popular choice or the Bay Area’s hero. As a matter of fact, there were people who never expected or anticipated that the three-time NBA All Star point guard would be the league’s most popular player. Many people dismissed him and counted him out early in his basketball career, but with tenacity, perseverance and resiliency the Golden State Warrior star proved all of his naysayers wrong.  Steph is a great example of why you can’t let people count you out.

My first time experiencing others lack of trust and belief that I could be and would be great started when I moved to New York. I remember the times when my peers, social influencers and industry leaders overlooked my potential.  They didn’t think I was good for it, any of it. One day an alumni looked me in the eye and told me I didn’t have what it takes to make it in New York, because I was too quiet. Everything he said to me and about me was a lie, and I couldn’t wait to show him how wrong he really was.  

 

Have you ever been in a situation where the people around you couldn’t see your potential? Did they not believe that you were capable of succeeding? Many of us experience being dismissed and counted out just like Curry, but some of us let the dismissal from others manifest itself into doubt and insecurities that make us give up.

 

Here are some takeaways from Steph Curry’s journey that can help you shake the haters off and prove the naysayers wrong:

 

Big Names Won’t Validate You, But You Can Validate Yourself

 

According to the Washington Post, all those major-conference coaches could not recognize what Curry was, not in time, and so he would become one of the best players in college basketball at tiny Davidson under McKillop. Big name Division 1 recruiters didn’t even look at the barely 6-foot and 160 pound contender for their schools. Not even his father’s alma mater wanted to offer him a scholarship to play basketball.  

 

Despite not being picked-up by a big time college program, Curry was able to use his dynamic skills to catch the attention of Davidson College.  He lead his college program into the NCAA playoffs which had everyone wondering who he was and why did they missed the opportunity to snatch him up.  Many times we are blinded by the big names and what they can do for us, but be mindful of the smaller people and places who see your potential will invest in your growth. Their loyalty will help encourage you and take you to new heights if you let it.

 

You May Not Look the Part, But You Have Heart

 

“He was certainly not what you could consider an overwhelming athlete,” Bill McKillop, Davidson College men’s basketball coach said.  McKillop saw his potential and took a chance on him by adding him to the small college’s rooster. They passed him up because of his small stature, but what Curry lacked in physicality he made up in skill.  We don’t all come in perfect packages, but once you take the time to unwrap a great gift is revealed.  Many people miss the gift when they judge the package.  

 

Invest in Your Personal Growth

 

“Each step in the progression, he got better as a dribbler. Now, he’s light-years ahead of where he was at Davidson. His investment is hard to find at a professional level,” McKillop told Washington Post. Once someone saw his potential Steph rose to the occasion by giving it his all to be the best player. He put in work and invested in his skills. Sometimes it will take practice and time to build yourself into the dynamic person that proves to be irreplaceable.  It takes dedication to hone in to a skill set that makes you special. Take the time to invest in yourself even if the people around you don’t.

 

Don’t Let Roadblocks Turn You Around

 

During the beginning of his NBA career Curry suffered from ankle issues that set him back from launching into stardom.  His back to back injuries made him sit out for lengthy periods during the NBA season leaving him with less time on the hardwood and less time to prove himself.  Life always throws us lemons that can set back our careers and personal journeys like family issues, ailments and job loss. Don’t let those setbacks prevent you from moving forward.  Setbacks are only temporary, what matters is what you do during that time to prepare for your breakthrough.

 

They say, “He wasn’t a true point guard. He wasn’t quick enough to be a lead guard nor big enough to be a 2-guard. He wasn’t supposed to be this good and he probably wasn’t even supposed to get this far. We’ve seen plenty of big time college scorers from smaller schools flame out once they face tougher defenses and bigger, more physical NBA players.”  Now Curry is one of the best players in the league.

 

In life there are many gatekeepers that we will all stumble upon, who will try to block opportunities from you. Don’t let them be the thing that prevents you from getting through that gate because they don’t see it for you to succeed.  Use your own key and find your own way to make your dreams a reality.  You never needed them anyway.