How does one avoid having one's dreams dislodged by someone else's lower expectations?

Early in her senior year at Whitney Young High School, Mrs. Obama went for an obligatory first appointment with the school college counselor. Michelle Obama was treasurer of the senior class. She had earned a spot in the National Honor Society. She was on track to graduate in the top 10 percent of her class and she was interested in joining her older brother, Craig, at Princeton University. The guidance counselor said to her, "I'm not sure that you're Princeton material."

How did Michelle Obama handle hearing that statement?

How does one avoid having one's dreams dislodged by someone else's lower expectations?

By sheer determination in the knowledge that what you feel is worth achieving.

This was perhaps one of the most astounding things I found about Michelle Obama's life - the way she ultimately disregarded the feedback from a guidance counselor that Princeton might not be for her. Especially knowing that Michelle describes herself as a pleaser, to which I can relate, it would have been so easy to agree and point to another school. It says so much for Obama's force of will that she chose to disregard that advice and prove that counselor wrong!

You have to be firm in your self-knowledge and determined to achieve your goals. Although she had a guidance counselor who was not supportive, she had a very supportive family and high self esteem for that reason.

Through determination and , if needs be,something like Michelle's mantra to bring forward at the most difficult times--a picture, a piece of poetry, a mantra, a mentor or close friend--anything that can be visible and sure to reset the go button

Michelle Obama's strong sense of self-worth permeated all phases of her life including this one. She was clearly not without fears and anxieties but that assuredness of her own abilities (remember how she thought she was destined to be a world class pianist as a very small child?) propelled her forward.

I think she must have had a strong sense of self esteem from her parents strong belief in her. She may have wanted to prove the school counselor wrong. Some people become more determined when others don't believe in their dreams.

Lowered expectations can be ignored and overcome, but it takes a lot of self confidence and strength to ignore those who think they know what is best for you. Sometimes those people don't mean harm, they are trying to be protective and may think they are helping by not wanting you to face difficulties, or even danger. A person has to have a strong inner voice telling them they can handle what may come, or at least know they can handle some failures along the way.