What if it DOESN’T matter that people always look past you—Every. Single. Time?
And what IS it that make some people get further ahead than others?
Plus, why can’t you just touch millions with just a few words spoken?
Is it because nice people always have to finish last? What about those who don’t look and sound the part? Quiet people? And those who are short? Newer and less experienced? Not in the inside circle? Have zero following? Are exhausted working parents? Or what about if they just know they’re meant for more? And just want more out of life?
These are questions I’ve dedicated my to life studying. Digging deep in years and years of research.
So that people who constantly get overlooked—finally get the freedom to be able to quietly win.
Even if it’s noisy out there.
Hi, I’m Thalia Toha. I’m a CEO, advocate of small giants, strategist, outdoor adventurer, first-generation immigrant, former architect, Princeton grad, and host of the Good Grow Great podcast, with listeners in 70+ countries.
Here—or when my insights are featured on Business Insider, SELF Magazine, Entrepreneur Magazine, Yahoo Finance, or Huffington post—I always share that:
I don’t believe that you have to be a big name to make a big impact. I believe that ANYONE—can be a small giant.
Which is why I spend years studying the hidden art of gaining momentum, especially if you don’t have much to begin with.
I don’t know everything, of course. And by no means am I an expert. Because I still have a long road.
But what I have learned, I share with readers, listeners, and students on my newsletter, and on my podcast, as often as I can. Including things I discovered long after I was first introduced to Bo Burlingham’s noteworthy and impactful book Small Giants.
Recently ranked Top 20s in our category among 1.7 million podcasts and counting, on the podcast, I talk with, interview, and teach small giants who are Olympians, Talks at Google speakers, TEDx speakers, NASA scientists, and Emmy Award winners.
When I’m not busy helping others, you can find me mountaineering at elevations about half of Everest, programming Ferris wheel models with my kids and gobbling up simple comfort foods like milk and cookies. Oh, and spicy foods. But NOT both at the same time, of course!
I haven’t always known what I wanted to do, though.
Especially back when there was a violent civil unrest where I grew up—warm, bright, and lush Indonesia, where I dove into blue Bali waters every summer.
Sadly, though, there was a ton of rioting, pillaging, and raping happening at the time. Long story. But because of this, I had to move to the US. And leave the whole thing behind. Including my family and my parents.
It was a very difficult decision to make.
I was old enough to deal with it thankfully. But the reality is that I felt totally out of place when I came to the US. Obviously I had to learn a totally different language and culture.
I also felt like I suddenly needed to be ‘ON’ all the time.
I think it’s like a brain and body rewire. You know? It’s like if you were in this weird alternate reality.
And you’re having to put on a different personality every time. And you can NEVER get out.
Quite a leap from the life I used to know.
Still though, this milestone DID become like ground zero for me for testing things out. I really didn’t know what I was doing. But the only other option was to not bother.
And yet … I wanted so badly to get my life in order.
So I started to do small things that ended up making massive changes for me. Like:
All these things … again are proven true even NOW. Especially when the world has got us convinced that you need to have a gazillion babillions of accolades, experience, or even followers. Or that you have to look, dress, or talk a certain way to get heard.
As an awkward immigrant, working parent, and first-generation entrepreneur, I really don’t remember how many times I thought—This is just plain impossible!
And nearly gave up.
I won’t forget when someone looked at me up and down and said: “What’s a small little girl like you doing in the big world of business?”
At first I thought they were joking. I was ready to laugh it off and go—ha. Ha. But minutes went by—and they STILL didn’t crack a smile.
Wait. This person is totally serious!
Seriously!? Why can’t they just … GET it? Do we all really have to nod and smile enthusiastically while people judge?
It’s tiring.
I got tired of seeing talented people give up on their dreams. It’s like watching the main character of your favorite story get killed unnecessarily. Again. And again. And Again.
Why! Oh … WHY!?
Such a waste.
At the end of the day,
I just want to stand by people who want to do meaningful things.
So that they DON’T have to wake up to an endless list of things to do that make them want to throw their alarm clock on the wall.
All because NO ONE bothered to lift the curtain and show them another way.
I want everyone, even the most unlikely, to be able to go home after a full day, sit down for dinner, and be able to say:
Now this … THIS feels right.”
– Thalia Toha
And YET, it IS hard to walk away from your work.
But then if it OWNS you, then you don’t “have” a job. Or even “run” a business.
It’s running YOU.
Which is why through everything from practical street-smarts to high-level techniques, small and big ways, through our fast-growing newsletter and podcast, or even just through eye-opening conversations,
I am SO grateful to be able to support amazing people create amazing lives that they are proud of.
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