A Gift From Success... Haters!

It's easy to feel bad when you have people hating on you! Whether it's on your team, in your class, at your job, or even in your family. We may feel inadequate, out of place, uncomfortable. When we understand the dynamics & implications of his/her actions, we will realize that they are our awards!

"Hater" is a more recent slang word (late 90's/ early 2000's) that people use to describe someone who brings attention to a person's flaw (no matter how small) even though the "flawed" person is actually doing very well. A true hater won't show their dislike for the person because if they do so, their case and points will no longer be valid. People will assume that they feel these ways out of dislike instead of because it's true. 

Typically the "hate" it's rooted in jealousy and envy. The "flawed" person has achieved something that the "hater" wishes they could also achieve. So let's think about it... 

You feel bad & out of place on your basketball team because your teammates wish that they could be as good of a shooter, passer, ball handler, rebounding leader, as you? Weird. You feel bad about yourself because you have worked hard, have been grinding, getting better, and now your skill set is better than others? You feel bad because your teammates wish they were as good as you, and now THEY are having trouble coping with your success?

Stop it! Knock it off! You've EARNED them. They are your fans! I'm sorry they don't know how to communicate to you that you are a good player. I'm sorry that their negative actions aren't in alignment with their fondness of your skill set. I'm sorry that it feels a little awkward when others are still struggling to get concepts and skills that you took YOUR extra time to make sure you understood! I'm sorry. But the reality is this... you asked for it! Yep! You did. When you went to the gym when no one was there, that was you asking to be better. When you studied your game film... that was you asking not to keep making the same mistakes. When you turned down the parties to rest up... that was you asking to be prepared for what's to come! YOU asked to be better than everyone else. It's not your problem that they're communication skills are subpar.

So what if you don't dribble as well with your off hand as your dominant hand? It's ok if it's true. But don't get down... get better. When they point out the negative, they are helping you to assess your game so you can STAY at the top... just like you want! They work for you! They're like unpaid interns... that's where you get free labor! Good job. You've earned them!