Here’s something most people won’t admit:
​You are not everyone’s cup of tea.​
And that’s perfectly fine.

We live in a world obsessed with approval.
Did they like my post?
Did I come across the right way?
What if they think I’m rude, arrogant, too quiet, too honest, too… something?

Why do we care so much about people we barely even know?

Here’s the truth: You will be disliked.​
For how you speak.
For what you believe.
For setting boundaries.
For doing well.
For doing badly.
For breathing too loudly in a quiet room.

It’s going to happen.
So you may as well get used to it.

I’ve definitely rubbed people the wrong way in the past ten years in business.
Sometimes unintentionally.
Other times because I stood my ground.
Because I made a call I believed in.
Because I didn’t play along.

And do I care?
No.

Not because I’m trying to be insensitive, but because I’ve realised something:
​Some people won’t like me. That’s reality.

And trying to twist and shrink yourself to avoid that? Exhausting. Pointless. Soul-crushing.

Marcus Aurelius wrote:
​“I have to go to work—as a human being… The things I was brought into the world to do.”

He didn’t follow that with, “As long as everyone’s happy with me.”

You are not here to be liked.
You are here to live with virtue, to do your work, to become someone you’re proud of.

I’m not for everyone. Neither are you.
That’s not a weakness—it’s clarity.

Reflection: Where in your life are you still chasing approval? And what would change if you stopped?

Until next time,

Broden Johnson

PS: You’re not here to be liked. You’re here to live. Want more reminders like this each week? Sign up here: brodenjohnson.co