During my reading early this morning, a part of my morning ritual, I ran across this quote from Ziglar…

Don’t be distracted by criticism. Remember, the only taste of success some people have is when they take a bite out of you.

Zig Ziglar

In an interview with author Seth Godin several years ago, I asked about doing what you feel called to do in the face of detractors. I loved his answer (paraphrased here): 

“No author has ever read all their 1-Star Amazon reviews and then said to themselves, ‘Gee, now I’m a better writer.’ When people express their dislike for your work, it doesn’t mean your work is bad. It just means it wasn’t for them. Your job is to continue showing up and putting out your work for the people who it is for…as soon as you realize you don’t have to please everyone, the last excuse you have for doing your best work goes away.” 

He also makes a distinction later between “informed criticism” and the criticism that comes “from the pain of the critic.” 

It immediately brings to mind the “Man in the Arena” quote from one of Roosevelt’s speeches (and an inspiration for the title of Brené Brown’s book Daring Greatly).

At any rate, if you’re facing criticism today, or struggling with the fear of potential criticism, know that you’ll likely never escape it, at least not as long you’re doing anything worthwhile. 

If anything, let the criticism you do receive serve as confirmation that you’re doing exactly that: worthwhile, meaningful, and life-changing work.