Don’t Listen to Your Critics
May 14, 2008 by brightdays
I want food! by foxypar4
Don’t do it. Don’t listen to those voices that diminish and downplay your dreams and hard work. Don’t let the limiting beliefs of others become part of the inner dialogue in your head.
It’s hard enough to get ahead in this world with all the bad news, forecasts of dire events, complaints and overall negativity. The last thing any of us need is to give in to our critics.
I realize this is easier said than done. We have to practice. If you’re like me, you’ll get lots of it. “That’s crazy,” or “Nobody’s done that before.” One way to brush aside these comments is to imagine them said by someone in the past. Maybe Columbus or the Wright brothers. Perhaps we could just imagine an ancient Egyptian or Native American saying those words. It would give us a little more perspective and take the sting out of the pessimistic observations we hear.
Another great technique is to agree with it. I know - sounds weird right? But sometimes agreeing with the criticism helps to diffuse it. If we know the possible truth of someone’s words, we’re able to see past it to the opportunity it leaves us. Maybe our idea is crazy - but is it also marketable? Maybe no one has done it before - but could it be because you have the expertise they didn’t?
When you have a great new idea or creative concept, take it to people you trust. Find a mentor who will give you honest feedback. Or run it by some anonymous people online. They will have no problem telling you what they really feel, and it won’t bother you as much coming from a stranger.
Whatever the naysayers’ opinions, you can always do it anyway. Even if you fail, you will learn a valuable lesson. Many of the best inventors have said that their failures gave them more insight than their successes. Edison and the others can’t all be wrong. Actually you can’t be all wrong either.
Get a support network together. Read some inspiring books to learn what others have overcome to achieve their goals. Keep a list of what you know you’re good at to remind you of your strengths. Have an optimistic friend on speed dial. Find a mentor in a hobby group in your area of interest.
Keep your head up and your mind focused on the positive. Let the disapproval and blame wash away like dirt down the drain. If occasionally you fall prey to feeling blue, use your support system like a crutch to prop you up until you’re back on your feet. Above all, keep up the good work.
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Hello — came over from pinkblock’s blog carnival.
You know, there is a force of mediocrity in the world. They like to drag things down. Stifle growth. Keep the status quo.
And whenever you have a good idea, they come and pound on you. In the other words, good ideas always have resistance and skeptics.
So I’m trying to look at it this way. Does it ruffle the feathers of mediocrity? If so, that is an idea very much worth pursuing. Whenever there’s a naysayer and skepticism, I take it as a sign that what I’m thinking about have to be tried and pursued.
If you look at it that way, skeptics are the ones actually pointing the way, illuminating the value of your endeavor.
What do you think?
ari