Get Used To Criticism

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If you’re going to do anything different, you’re going to get criticized.

There’s no shortage of folks willing to offer you advice if you’re thinking about a new venture, a new project or a new position. They’ll range from friends, family as well as business colleagues - well intentioned or otherwise. Some of it you might actively ask for, but a lot of it will be offered to you, at no extra cost.

Criticism comes with the territory.

So there’s no point getting worked up about it, because it’s par for the course. In fact, it’s probably a sign that you’re getting noticed, that what you’re doing is moving someone in some way (even if they react negatively). And many times, that’s better than being ignored. The point is that we have to be in a place where we expect it.

How we react to it, though, is up to us. And that depends on thoughtfully answering several questions:

Who’s giving us the feedback? Do they understand what we’re doing? Are they knowledgable about our space? Do they understand the vision?

What are they actually saying? Is it grounded in business sense? Is that sense rooted in understanding my industry, my model, my product/service? Are there vested interests at play (positive or otherwise)?

In other words, some criticism is worth considering and reacting to, while others aren’t. But to not expect any to come our way is foolish.

Because criticism comes with the territory. And as Jeff Bezos once said, “If you absolutely can't tolerate critics, then don't do anything new or interesting.”