9.7 Carmelo Anthony: Believe in Yourself

"You are not your zip code. You are not your last name. You are not your setbacks. You are your vision. You are your work ethic. You are your will. You are the quiet whisper inside you that says, ‘I know there’s more for me in this life.’ Hold on to that voice—it will be tested.” - Carmelo Anthony

Carmelo Anthony is one of the best basketball players of all time. He came from rough, humble beginnings to become one of the most iconic scorers and a hero for so many people who grew up like him.

In his Hall of Fame speech, he said he didn’t grow up with any guarantees, only grit and dreams, and the lucky ones had someone telling them to not give up on them.

He said there were a lot of people around him telling him what he couldn’t do and to not aim too high. He then said, “To every kid watching, I want you to hear me loud. You are not your zip code. You are not your last name. You are not your setbacks. You are your vision. You are your work ethic. You are your will. You are the quiet whisper inside you that says, ‘I know there’s more for me in this life.’ Hold on to that voice—it will get tested.”

People will laugh at your dreams and give you every reason why you can’t do something, but you have to believe in yourself and your dreams when no one else does. Your vision has to be so big and believable that it pushes you past all obstacles, doubts, and fears. 

Question of the Day: How can you hold on to your dreams when nobody believes in you?