How To Be Confident When The World Is Against You with Amir Yassai
“I realized who I am, and I’m going to step right into it. Once I stepped into it, my business got better, my social media got better, it all got better because I knew my place.”
Amir Yassai is a highly sought after Queer Muslim content creator, activist, and comedian who has had over 20 MILLION views on his videos where he shows his true self across social media.
Someone who felt like he never belonged, someone who got thousands of death threats and hate messages, someone who was told he was "too fat", "too loud", and was even told that he should "kill himself", someone who went against ALL odds to embrace this most authentic, unfiltered self.
And as a result, he inspired people around the world to find their voice, even despite the most challenging of circumstances. He built a brand around himself with the goal of minimizing shame and creating a safe space through education and humor.
“The more impact you’re getting, the more you’re gonna have some haters”
Being on social media, you are opening yourself up to criticism and backlash. Amir has learned that the more you put yourself out there, the more hate you are going to get. “If you’re doing something status quo or mediocre you’re not going to get hate….if you’re doing something cool people are going to throw hate on it”.
A lot of people can look at Amir and see how confident he is --especially when he is wearing a wig and a dress. Being so authentic, outspoken, and prideful online can seem very simple to those who do it, even when they are receiving hate. “I work at it -- confidence is a job, it’s a daily thing you have to affirm yourself,” Amir says.
Amir also made the point to emphasize the importance of positioning himself as an industry leader. When he pitches himself, he goes about it in a way that makes people believe they are missing an opportunity if they reject him. “I don't ask for permission -- I don't go ‘oh can I be featured’. I go ‘You’re going to feature me, thank you’” (6:42). He does not ask, he tells them. “If you trust your instincts and your intuition, you’re gonna get really far” (7:13). Learn more about how to become an industry leader in the PR Secrets Masterclass.
Being in this industry, it is always key to show up as your best and most genuine self to magnify the potential people you can inspire. “Whether I'm performing to 4 people or 10,000 people, it doesn't really matter. I bring the Mariah Carey energy every time because that's being a professional” (19:48). Pride isn’t about video views or social media followings. Pride is about embracing your authentic self, even when it is scary, uncomfortable, and polarizing.
Amir also recognizes the effect of earned press. Earned press is when you pitch yourself and you are able to control it more to skew it in any direction you choose. This is what will make you stand out in your niche and show up as an industry leader.
Along with being a confident industry leader comes rejection and exclusion. Rejection will come in any industry you are passionate about. If you cannot handle rejection, you will not be able to handle the industry, so it is best to check your ego at the door if you want to make it in any business. Show up now and act from your future self if that is the person you really want to become. As Amir says, “excuses are cute if you want to be unsuccessful” (22:44). You completely have the ability to shape and take control of your life. It will be everything you believe you can make of it.
“I know I take up space in a really amazing way”
If you only have a few minutes this should help:
Minute 6:04 - Positioning yourself as someone NOBODY should miss out on
Minute 19:48 - Why you must always show up as the most energetic and proud version of yourself
Minute 24:43 - Not having issues with rejection and continuing forward
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Just keep pitching and following up. You can do this!