Are you open to criticism? If you are like most people, the answer would be no. You might say you are, but who really likes it?
We all need to criticism in our life to have success. Without it, we wouldn’t know what is resonating or not resonating with people. We wouldn’t know what works or doesn’t work. We wouldn’t know how to adapt and evolve.
Nothing of value in life, and especially the first versions of something, are never that good. They are only as good as they can be, based on what we know at that time. What version of iPhone are you currently using? What version of your Android phone are you currently using? Well, if you are using an Android, I am sorry. But I have an iPhone 7 that is running I think, version 11.1 ios.
In Silicon Valley, where a lot of software, social media channels, and other technologies that many of us use on a daily basis is created. They have a philosophy they live by. That is, they want to get the software, the social media channel, etc. to a point where they can release it to the market as quickly as possible.
They know the sooner they get it to the market, the quicker they can get feedback on it and start to make the necessary changes to make the product even better. They know when they release the product that it isn’t finished. But they also know that as soon as they do, they will get the critiques they need to make the tweaks, and make more tweaks, to continue to evolve the product and make it better.
So I come back my question at the beginning. Do you like criticism? Or do you do everything you can to avoid it? If you aren’t getting criticized, the chances are you are going with the flow. And let’s be honest, the flow is usually not that great. The flow usually has status quo ideas, with stagnant bank accounts, and stagnant careers, and stagnant family lives, and the flow wouldn’t be able to identify an opportunity if it hit them.
I know if you are reading my blog, then this is not you. You want to have more in all aspects of your life. You are willing to go against the crowd regardless of what every one else is saying. You are willing to state your opinion, even when it is opposite of the masses. You are willing to do the hard things to get the things you want and your family wants.
If you are in leadership and you are afraid of criticism, then my guess is your team is today where you were yesterday and last year. And most likely they will be at the same point a year from now. When you start to do things different and push new initiatives you are going to get criticism.
Here is the one thing I have learned in my life. I have not, and am not currently, getting enough criticism in all areas of my life. I am not stepping outside of my own comfort zone enough, which means I am not stepping out of the comfort zones of everyone that I know enough.
Whether we want to admit it or not. We are and become the people who we spend the most time with. If you are overweight and don’t live a healthy lifestyle. Then there is a 99% chance that the people you spend most of your time with are the same way. If the people you spend 99% of your time with are in debt and are constantly negative, then the chances are very likely that you are in debt and constantly negative as well.
One of my mentor says this. When you start doing something different from everyone else. The first thing they do is laugh at you. The second thing they will do is criticize you. Then the last thing they will do is admire you. You cant skip to the third thing first. You have to go through the first two steps.
Are you willing to do that? I am.
To your success and your future.
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