"Do people take you seriously now?"
I don’t know. But I'll happily tell what I think about it.
Jasmine Le Lievre-Adams
February 02, 2025 • Estimated Reading Time: 5 minutes
A couple of weeks ago, I listened to Leila Hormozi on My First Million. To be honest, I didn’t even realise she was Alex Hormozi’s wife until about 30 minutes in when she mentioned his name. I first came across her on Instagram after watching a few of her videos on marketing and sales. My first impression wasn’t great. What she was saying didn’t feel new, and I thought she leaned too much on her femininity, womanhood, and background to guide her content and build her audience. I didn’t feel any need to look into her further.
After hearing her story on the podcast, though, my opinion shifted. Maybe it’s because I could relate to her experience as a woman navigating a male-dominated industry. What stayed with me most was how she talked about dealing with judgment and comments from others.
She explained how people constantly comment on her life, her relationships, and her business. When asked how she handles it, she said:
“Judgment and opinions are inevitable, but the question I ask myself is: Is this useful? People say, ‘Isn’t it hard being a woman in business? Do people take you seriously because of Alex?’ And my response is, ‘I don’t know—is that a useful thought? If it’s not, why would I focus on it?’
Hearing this really hit me. I was driving home from work, and it felt like she was speaking directly to something I’ve been trying to figure out. Over the last year, I’ve realised how much I rely on the opinions of others. I look for reassurance and let it guide me. While there are times when that helps, it’s starting to feel like more of a curse than a benefit.
“You can focus on what’s hard, or you can focus on your strengths. Yes, I’ve had to work harder to be taken seriously, but that’s also helped me build skills and resilience. I don’t see it as a bad thing. I see it as an advantage. Any thought that isn’t useful? I don’t waste energy on it.”
Going into 2025, I’ve decided I want to back myself more. I want to trust my decisions, stop second-guessing myself, and let go of the need for validation. I’m 21 now, working on building my personal brand, and figuring out what it means to stand on my own. The life I’ve chosen, focusing on business, travelling, and creating my own path, will come with a lot of challenges. Right now, I’m at a financial low and struggling to stay motivated with work.
Even with all of that, I can’t afford to waste time on other people’s opinions. I need to focus on what helps me grow and move forward, even if it doesn’t feel good in the moment. Prioritising myself hasn’t always been easy, but I know it’s the right thing to do.
Take Notes
This publication focuses on handling opinions, but the first step is to surround yourself with people whose opinions truly matter. It may sound harsh, but the people around us shape our growth and behaviour.
Is this useful? That’s it. Keep it simple. Everyone has opinions, and people are quick to share them. Acknowledge it, understand it’s how they feel, and remember—unless they’re physically harming you, they can’t touch you.
Create a reminder: not an alarm or a notification on your phone, but a visual cue or action that prompts you to ask if something is truly useful. This is about practicing open-mindedness, but in a way that serves your own growth (in the best way).
Book Of The Week
Adam Grant emphasizes the importance of mental flexibility and curiosity in both personal growth and teamwork. If you can change your mind you can do anything.
Reflective Prompt
How can I focus on what’s useful for my growth while letting go of the need for validation from others?
A: It might sound like an excuse, but as humans, it’s natural to seek connection and surround ourselves with others. We live in a world built on teamwork—whether at home, school, work, or through hobbies. Being surrounded by people is a constant. Those who find themselves completely alone often choose it, but isolation isn’t the answer either.
Since we’re always surrounded by both familiar and unfamiliar faces, trying to entirely let go of the need for validation is unrealistic. Instead, the goal should be to balance it. We receive uncontrolled validation, like from strangers online, which can feel shallow or fleeting. To counter this, we need controlled validation from people who genuinely want the best for us. Whether their feedback is kind or critical, their intentions are good.
So if you find yourself seeking validation (and fun fact, we all do—it’s unconscious), know that it’s okay. You deserve it, but make sure it comes from those who understand and reciprocate your needs.
Your Turn.