I write for founders and marketers where AI, brand, and growth collide. Each week, I share sharp insights on what’s working in marketing, how AI is changing the game, and the mindset it takes to scale without burning out.
The trap of chasing “important” people
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There’s a certain kind of person I tend to put on a pedestal. The accomplished investor. The seasoned founder. The “visionary” executive with a track record I admire. And when I do that, when I hand them that power, something strange happens... I stop listening to myself. I second-guess every word, every pitch, every email I send. I replay conversations in my head like a broken loop, dissecting every reaction, every pause, every “hmm.” I become smaller. Not because they asked me to. But because I made them bigger than they are, and me, less than I am. This fact pattern for myself isn’t about humility. It’s much more about imbalance. The tricky thing is that this often happens to me unconsciously. I tell myself that their feedback is really important, and maybe it is. But not at the expense of my inner peace. When you base your confidence on whether or not someone “important” likes your deck, gives you a nod, or agrees with your strategy, you’re outsourcing your power. And that’s exhausting. It steals your presence. It hijacks your focus. It makes you reactive instead of creative. Here’s what I do when I catch myself spiraling into that dynamic: A 4-Step Regrounding Process
This isn't about dismissing feedback or ignoring red flags. It’s about staying grounded in truth, not fear. So you don't hand over the steering wheel of your emotional state to someone else’s reaction time. You can respect someone’s expertise without handing them the keys to your self-worth. And when you stop needing their validation? That’s when people really start paying attention. -Brandon |
The Climb
I write for founders and marketers where AI, brand, and growth collide. Each week, I share sharp insights on what’s working in marketing, how AI is changing the game, and the mindset it takes to scale without burning out.
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