330. How To Be Awesome At Not Letting Anyone Clip Your Wings

How To Be Awesome At Not Letting Anyone Clip Your Wings—because sometimes, without even realizing it, we let the words and doubts of others make us dilute who we are.

In this episode, we’re talking about all the ways people (intentionally or not) try to clip your wings. 

They might question your big goals, list out all the reasons something might not work, or subtly discourage you in a way that makes you second-guess yourself. 

Sometimes it's huge dream-dampening conversations… and sometimes it's just tiny comments that plant seeds of doubt.

But here's the truth: if you're here to do something extraordinary, you will absolutely encounter people who try to limit you. It might be from people who love you the most, an enemy or strangers on the internet.

The best part about all of this… once you see it for what it is you just say… “Hey, don’t clip my wings.” 

And I have the BEST ever song to put on to remind yourself of this daily. 

 

 
Defining: ‘Clip Your Wings’
  • Clipping your wings = causing someone to play smaller than they’re meant to be.

  • It could be someone doubting your vision, warning you about risk, or even asking, “What’s your backup plan?”

  • 🎵 “Don’t let nobody clip your wings…”
    You were made to fly—don’t let someone else's fear ground you.

 

The Subtle (and Not-So-Subtle) Ways People Do It

  • Doubting your big dreams, suggesting a safer path.

  • Mocking or downplaying your passion.

  • Silently disengaging or showing no belief.

  • Sometimes it’s strangers online, sometimes it’s people who love you.

  • 🎵 “If you got a fire, don’t lose it. If you got a do-or-die dream, do it.”

  • 💬 Steven Bartlett: “People will project their own insecurities on you when they’re afraid to do the thing themselves.”

 

Spot It Before You Absorb It

  • Be conscious of tiny moments that plant self-doubt.

  • Just because someone can’t see it, doesn’t mean it’s not possible.

  • 🎵 “Keep your head down, keep on the blinders…”

  • 💬 Chris Williamson: “Your biggest risk isn’t trying and failing. It’s getting to the end and realizing you listened to people who never tried at all.”

 

Protecting Your Fire from Doubt

  • When people offer limiting beliefs, ask: “Is this concern or fear?”

  • Your job is to protect your fire—not get approval for it.

  • 🎵 “If you’ve got something to prove, go on and prove it.”

  • 💬 Ed Mylett: “You were born to do something great. Don’t trade that for being liked.”

 

The Danger of Diluting Yourself

  • When we let comments change our voice, slow our pursuit, or make us play safe—we dilute ourselves.

  • 🎵 “So don’t water down your dream just ‘cause they don’t believe.”

     

The Only ‘Backup Plan’ You Need

  • Society teaches us to have a Plan B, just in case.

  • But if you’re truly committed to something, your only backup plan is to get back up when you fall.

  • 🎵 “Gettin’ back up, that’s the only backup plan you need.”

  • 🔥 Use every setback as part of the climb—not a reason to come down.

 

 Fly Anyway

  • Not everyone will get it.

  • Most people only believe after they see results—but you have to believe first.

  • 🎵 “If you’ve got a dream, then chase it. ‘Cause a dream don’t chase you back.”

  • 💬 Mel Robbins: “Stop waiting for someone to pick you. Pick yourself.”

 

Choose Your Response & Be Ready 

  • This is your permission slip to go all in on yourself.

  • You don’t need a backup plan for being who you’re meant to be.

  • If someone questions your dream—remind yourself:
    🎵 “Don’t let nobody clip your wings.”

 
CHEERS to being your FULL self and going for your big dreams and not letting anyone clip your wings along the way!