They Assume, You Achieve: The Unseen Power of Diligence

(The Ability To Lock In And Move Mountains While People Around You Are Panicking)

When I was expecting my first child, something strange happened. People I thought were supportive started projecting their fears onto me, creating stories and criticisms out of thin air. It seemed that my life changes triggered insecurities in those around me, and rather than understanding what I was working on, they assumed the worst. Some started saying I wasn’t doing anything, not realizing that I was actually working two jobs—one overnight, another coordinating social media for a business during the day, and running my side hustles during every free moment. While I was pushing myself as far as I could, others were oblivious to the work I was putting in and instead chose to spread doubts and gossip.

What I’ve realized is that some people would rather make up stories than sit down and have a meaningful conversation about what you’re doing. And as frustrating as it can be, it truly doesn’t matter. Let them sleep on your progress while you stay focused and keep moving forward.

Art Notes from my journal:

“About Diligence

One thing I learned while working on difficult projects with impossible time constraints is that the most diligent people say less and are often misunderstood. There are times during a project when most people give up or fret about the situation. But if you have a strategy and a solid understanding of how to manage your skill set and time, you may be able to finish the project in record time. Along the way, some people will say you’re delusional, that what you are doing is impossible. I’ve had people literally have outbursts, projecting their limitations, and, in the end, they are shocked at how the work got done in such a short amount of time.

If you are truly diligent, you work consistently when nobody is looking. Your strategy and approach to things are carefully thought out, and you are flexible enough to overcome challenges along the way to get the job done. The number of times people have lied about me, saying, “She ain’t doing nothing,” while I work three jobs, launch new business projects, and volunteer simultaneously, is ridiculous. It’s become comical to me. Nobody sees the hours you put in doing the things that life requires, juggling obligations and responsibilities, and quietly slaying goals along the way. Let them talk and waste their time; I have work to do. When you are diligent, you’re actually working.”

What Diligence Really Means

True diligence is about commitment and consistency, often working in the background when no one’s paying attention. Through my experiences, I’ve learned that diligent people are often misunderstood. When you’re silently pushing toward a goal, some will misinterpret your quiet focus as a lack of activity. The truth is, diligent people are working harder than anyone realizes, focused on the task while others are busy judging, guessing, or even panicking.

In difficult projects with impossible deadlines, I’ve seen this play out repeatedly. When a challenge seems overwhelming, most people feel stuck or give up. But if you have a strategy and can manage your skill set and time effectively, it’s possible to move mountains. You may hear people say you’re delusional or that the task is impossible, but diligence means you keep going regardless. Some of my biggest accomplishments came from moments like these, when people around me expressed doubt or frustration only to be surprised by how quickly and efficiently I got the job done.

Let Them Talk – You’re Making Progress

People often lie or assume that you’re idle while you’re quietly working hard and handling life’s responsibilities. I’ve learned to find humor in it. Nobody sees the hours spent juggling priorities and quietly achieving goals, and honestly, they don’t need to. Diligence isn’t glamorous, and the progress you’re making doesn’t need applause from everyone around you. Let them talk, let them doubt, because their distractions aren’t worth your time.

The most diligent people don’t need external validation; they’re locked in, focused on their path. They plan carefully, strategize, and remain flexible enough to navigate challenges. It doesn’t matter how loud the noise is outside—when you have a mission, diligence will carry you through.

Stay Focused, Stay Diligent

I hope this message inspires you to keep going, even when others can’t see or understand the work you’re doing. When you’re diligent, you’re already making progress, whether anyone notices or not. Stay focused, keep moving, and let them wonder how you did it.

Hopefully this helped you to dive deeper into what diligence looks like in action and why staying consistent and resilient makes all the difference. Let them talk; we’ve got work to do!