Don't Listen to the Criticism

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Don’t Listen to the Criticism

When a young and aspiring artist posted her first painting online, the comment box filled up with encouraging and cruel responses.

One said, “My 10-year-old could do better.”

It stung. She contemplated never painting again. But then her dad asked her to find out more about the commentator. When she did, she saw no art, no risk, no creations. Just hollow opinions.

She kept painting. Years later, her work sells in less than a day.

See what her day knew and what you and I must remember is, “You shouldn’t worry about criticism from someone you would never ask for advice from.”

And yet, how often do you let cheap criticism steal your joy, shake your confidence, or stall your action?

Here is the truth: if you're building, trying, or putting yourself out there, criticism isn’t a possibility; it’s a guarantee.

Criticism is often a sign you’re doing something worth criticizing. You’re taking a risk, you’re stepping into the arena, you’re doing something others wish they had the courage to do. So don’t stop, use it as fuel.

The time to take criticism to heart is if it comes from someone whose life, mindset, and character you admire. As Brene Brown said, “If you’re not in the arena getting your ass kicked, I’m not interested in your feedback.”

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