One of the hardest lessons I learned in business was this:
Not everyone you share your dreams with is happy for you. Some smile with you on the outside but secretly hope you fail. Others discourage you not because they hate you, but because they cannot see the vision you see.
Michael once told me:
"James, some seeds grow only in silence. If you expose them too early, the wind will dry them up."
I did not understand this fully until I saw real-life examples play out.
The Danger of Sharing Too Much
There was a young man named Daniel. He had a brilliant plan to start a small tech repair business in his town. Excited, he shared it with his friends and even some relatives. At first, they all clapped for him. They told him his idea was "amazing" and "promising." But behind those compliments came the words that killed his fire:
"Do you think people in this town can afford such services?"
"You don't even have enough money, how will you survive?"
"Many people have tried this before and failed."
Daniel listened. Each word was like a drop of poison. The same people who smiled with him planted seeds of doubt. Slowly, his confidence died. He delayed the launch, spent time second-guessing himself, and eventually abandoned the idea. Months later, someone else started the same business, and it thrived.
Daniel's failure was not because his idea was weak, but because he allowed the noise of others to drown out his vision.
The Power of Guarded Silence
On the other hand, there was Tunde, another young man I met through Michael. Tunde had a dream to start a clothing line. But unlike Daniel, he didn't announce it to everyone. He told only his mentor and quietly worked behind the scenes.
He read books on branding and marketing.
He followed successful entrepreneurs online and studied their patterns.
He saved and reinvested every little profit.
He asked questions from those who had succeeded before him, not from those who had failed.
When Tunde finally launched, people were shocked. His brand came out strong, well-prepared, and consistent. Today, his clothing line is a household name in his state.
The difference? One exposed his seed too early, the other watered it in silence until it was strong enough to survive.
Why You Shouldn't Share Every Plan
Michael taught me that silence is not secrecy, it is wisdom. Here are reasons why your business plans should often remain guarded:
1. Premature exposure invites premature criticism. People kill what they don't understand.
2. Not everyone is qualified to give advice. Many who discourage you failed because of their own fears.
3. Energy leaks. Talking too much about your goals can give you the illusion of progress, while action remains undone.
4. Envy is real. Some will try to copy your idea before you even start.
5. Dreams need incubation. Like eggs, they must stay hidden until maturity.
Joy in Keeping Dreams Private
Michael told me something that stuck forever:
"James, sometimes the greatest joy is in working on your dream silently, smiling to yourself because you know what's coming, even if no one else does."
That joy is powerful. You wake up each day knowing you're building something others can't see yet. You enjoy the little wins, saving your first $100 for your idea, learning a new skill, designing your first logo, without waiting for applause.
Silence allows you to celebrate privately and grow steadily. When you finally launch, your results will speak louder than any announcement ever could.
Actionable Advice for You
Before sharing your plans, ask: "Will this person build me or break me?"
Share only with mentors or those who have succeeded in the area you are pursuing.
Write down your plans and review them daily, it gives you focus without outside noise.
Remember: applause is temporary, but results are permanent.
Closing Thought
As I write this, I think back to my own journey. Many times, I was tempted to announce my next move, but I learned to hold my peace. I found joy in watching the vision unfold silently, brick by brick.
So, to you my reader: guard your dreams. Protect them like a mother eagle covers her eggs. In the right time, when they are strong enough, the world will see them, and no voice of doubt will be able to stop them.
"Work hard in silence. Let success make the noise."