Success Advice
How Trolls Can Raise Your Self-Esteem and Business Game

Everybody knows that the virtual world is full of trolls. They’re negative, they’re angry and they’re probably a bit smelly too. Like sketchy neighbourhoods and dodgy-looking characters on the street, we take great steps to avoid potentially negative interactions in our everyday life online. But, what if I told you, that there is a different path open to you, when it comes to dealing with trolling? That trolls, nay-sayers, angry folks that want to insult you, and all-round impolite and insulting creatures online, are actually a force that you can leverage, for your own self-esteem, and for your business? Would you tell me that I’m crazy?
Why We Are Affected By Trolls
Most of us are lucky enough to live in a world, where our safety and self-esteem is not immediately threatened every day. There are no tigers waiting to eat us, no armed gangs gathering outside our homes, and we can safely call a taxi to get home on a night out. While this is ideal from the point of view of safety, it means that our deep reflexes – our natural instincts in the face of danger, don’t get a look in. In fact, those deep-rooted survival instincts are positively flabby. We don’t get enough practise dealing with conflict, so when it does happen, we go all wibbly-wobbly about it.
This is why, when we write a kick-ass article, post a picture or share an achievement online, we forget all about the uplifting comments from people that enjoyed it, in order to mentally and often physically, over-react to negative comments.
Even though we’re not in any physical danger, and we’re probably not in any other type of danger either, such as having our livelihood stripped away from us, or losing money. We react as though we are. Negative comments naturally dominate our thoughts, as the brain and body are attuned to threats and danger. That’s how we’ve survived for many thousands of years.
Being rejected by your tribe is an ancient danger. Shame has been used by humans to control other humans since forever, and this primitive reaction is what trolls are tapping in to. When your social standing and reputation are threatened, the primitive part of your brain doesn’t understand that it’s probably some dude covered in Pringle crumbs, sitting in his mother’s basement ten thousand miles away.
When the brain perceives danger, or a threat to your plans or social standing, a chemical called cortisol is released by the HPA axis in the brain. This heightens your awareness (which is partly why some people obsess over certain comments online). It raises your heartbeat, your breathing gets shallower, and you might even start to tremble. You can have trouble focusing on anything other than the perceived threat, and even experience distortion of reality – such as thinking that your article is terrible and everyone hates it.
I don’t need to tell you, that this feels HORRIBLE! This is how trolls operate, and they get a kick out of causing a physical and mental reaction to somebody, just by using words.
How Trolls Can Be Good For You
First of all, if you can be at peace with the fact that trolling exists, and some of it is going to land at your feet, no matter how wonderful you are, then you have a huge advantage over lots of other people that want to get their work out there.
Being aware of the entire process of trolling, from what causes it in the first place to how it makes you react, helps to hand the power over the whole process back to you. People feeling powerless and trying to dominate and control others over the Internet because they’re feeling sad and inadequate in themselves – that’s the reason trolls say awful stuff. Your natural response – to over-react and feel like crap about it, is perfectly healthy.
This stuff is as natural as anything you’d see on a David Attenborough show. That doesn’t mean it’s OK, but if you can change your outlook on trolling, you can retain your power and actually use their negativity as motivation to hit your next level, where their comments can not harm you.
Being Trolled Is An Opportunity To Become More Of Who You Are
If you can concentrate on your own feelings and reactions to trolling and begin to control them, instead of letting them control you, then YOU get to use it as an opportunity for growth. You get to be the badass. You get to build the courage to post the stuff you might otherwise delete. You get to go deeper, be more experimental, and dare to connect more deeply with your audience. You get to be more authentic, more real, and come across in 3D, which puts you at an advantage, compared to everyone else that’s still getting hung up on rude people who get off on upsetting strangers.
Trolls Can Help You to Build Deeper Connections With the RIGHT People
Going even deeper – if you can control your own reactions to trolls, you can step in and uplift others. What better way to connect with other writers, entrepreneurs, or the artists and people you admire, than to counter their negativity THEY are receiving from trolls, with your admiration and acclaim?
This is going to bring you far more happiness and make you more positive connections, than thinking “I’d better tone myself down a bit in case I get a load of crap from trolls over this.” Standing up for yourself can repair the cracks that trolls may have caused in your self-esteem, but standing up for others gives you battle-armour.
You can’t wave a magic wand and banish all the trolls back to their bridges, but you can use their negativity to push yourself further, be more daring, and make all kinds of connections online. I’m sure many of you will agree, that is truly a win against the online forces of darkness.
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These 11 Habits Will Make You More Productive, Successful, and Confident
Boost your focus, confidence, and results with 11 powerful habits successful people use every day.

Successful people love to help beginners. They have an incredible work ethic and rarely complain. As a result, others naturally look up to them and want to follow in their footsteps.
But here’s the truth: there’s no success without sacrifice. You’ll need to give up comfort, excuses, and sometimes even social approval to accomplish your goals.
Value comes from solving problems, and these 11 powerful tips will help you become more productive, successful, and confident, starting today.
1. Take Short Breaks After Finishing a Task
Psychology shows it’s important to reward positive behaviour.
After completing a big task or finishing a book, take five minutes to walk, stretch, or simply breathe. This quick reset helps your brain recharge and strengthens focus.
Many great writers swear by morning walks, solitude, and reflection can unlock creativity.
But if you refuse to take breaks, don’t be surprised when burnout hits. Your brain needs recovery time just as much as your body does.
2. Schedule Your Most Important Tasks First
Multitasking kills productivity. If you want to get more done, try time blocking, a method where you dedicate set periods for specific tasks.
Productivity expert Caitlin Hughes explains, “Time blocking involves scheduling blocks of time for your tasks throughout the day.”
For example, if you’re a writer:
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Research your topic at night.
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Write your first draft in the morning (don’t worry if it’s rough).
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Edit in the afternoon, great writing comes from rewriting.
You can’t buy more time. Use it intentionally and without regret.
3. Eliminate Distractions from Your Workspace
Focus is the foundation of success.
According to Inc. Magazine, it takes an average of 23 minutes to recover from a distraction. That’s nearly half an hour of lost productivity every time you check your phone.
Put your phone away. Close unnecessary tabs. And yes, limit your Netflix binges.
Meeting deadlines consistently is one of the fastest ways to stand out and earn respect.
4. Take Full Responsibility for Your Life
Entrepreneur Derek Sivers once said, “Everything is my fault.”
This mindset doesn’t mean self-blame; it means self-ownership. Stop pointing fingers, making excuses, or waiting for others to change.
If your habits (like smoking or drinking too much) hold you back, it’s time to make better choices. Your friends can’t live your dreams for you; only you can.
5. Invest an Hour a Day in Learning New Skills
Knowledge compounds over time.
Whether you read books, take online courses, or practise a craft, consistent learning gives you a competitive edge.
I used to struggle with academic writing, but I improved by studying the work of great authors and applying what I learned.
Your past doesn’t define you; your actions do. Every new skill adds another tool to your arsenal and makes you more unstoppable.
6. Develop a Growth Mindset
Psychologist Dr. Carol Dweck introduced the concept of fixed vs. growth mindset.
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A fixed mindset believes success is based on natural talent.
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A growth mindset believes success comes from effort and learning.
Choose the growth mindset. Embrace challenges. See failures as feedback. In today’s fast-moving digital world, adaptability is your biggest advantage.
7. Learn Marketing to Reach People Who Need You
I once believed marketing was manipulative, until I realised it’s about helping people solve problems.
If your work provides genuine value, marketing is how you let others know it exists. Even Apple spends billions on it.
Don’t be ashamed to promote your skills or business. Without visibility, your ideas will never reach the people who need them most.
Creative professionals who understand marketing and sales have an unfair advantage.
8. Ask Your Mentor the Right Questions
Good mentors can fast-track your growth.
While mentorship often costs money, it’s one of the best investments you can make. Great mentors don’t care about titles; they care about your progress.
If you don’t have access to a mentor yet, books are your silent mentors. Read the best in your field, take notes, and apply what resonates.
9. Build Confidence Through Action, Not Affirmations
Author Ryan Holiday once said, “I don’t believe in myself. I have evidence.”
Confidence doesn’t come from shouting affirmations into the mirror; it comes from proof. Doing hard things, keeping promises to yourself, and following through.
When you consistently take action, your brain gathers evidence that you can handle whatever comes next. That’s real confidence, grounded, earned, and unshakable.
10. Focus on Your Strengths
Your strengths reveal where your greatest impact lies.
If people compliment you on something often, it’s a clue. Lean into it.
A former professor once told me I was creative, and that simple comment gave me the confidence to go all in. I studied creativity, applied it daily, and turned it into my career advantage.
Double down on your strengths. That’s how you build momentum and mastery.
11. Identify and Challenge Your Limiting Beliefs
Your beliefs shape your reality.
For years, I believed I couldn’t be a great writer because of my chronic tinnitus and astigmatism, sensory challenges that made concentration difficult. But over time, I realised those struggles made me more disciplined, observant, and empathetic.
Your limitations can become your greatest motivators if you let them.
Avoid shortcuts. Growth takes time, but it’s always worth it.
Final Thoughts
Becoming productive, successful, and confident isn’t about working harder than everyone else. It’s about working smarter, consistently, and intentionally.
You don’t need to overhaul your life overnight. Start small: take a break after your next task, schedule your priorities, or spend one hour learning something new.
Every habit you change compounds into long-term success. Remember, true change comes from practising new behaviours.
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