If one is to fulfill their potential in life, it’s important to realize that nearly all new and original ideas, products, and causes face rejection, criticism, and even ridicule before they’re accepted.
In short, even the best, brightest, and most beneficial ideas, products, and causes have critics.
“You can be the ripest, juiciest peach in the world, and there’s still going to be someone who hates peaches.” – Dita Von Tease
A study by Cornell University even confirms this. Researchers concluded that that people are actually biased against creative ideas (Why great ideas get rejected (99u article) — based on the Cornell Study : PDF).
Nearly every great accomplishment in life requires a person to act boldly and take action on the ideas that one believes in order to not yield the power of one’s potential to the fear of rejection.
When acting on your creative ideas, always keep in mind that you’re not doing what you’re doing for the critics. And regardless of how good your idea is, there will nearly always be someone in the world who hates it.
Don’t hesitate to do something simply because you are afraid of how it will be received. Just do it. Don’t worry if everyone doesn’t like it — or even understand it at first.
You don’t have to wait for acceptance or permission to do great things.
If you truly want to make a positive difference in the world, start now — and correct your course as you go.
“If I care to listen to every criticism, let alone act on them, then this shop may as well be closed for all other businesses. I have learned to do my best, and if the end result is good then I do not care for any criticism, but if the end result is not good, then even the praise of ten angels would not make the difference.” – Abraham Lincoln
___
“There is only one way to avoid criticism: do nothing, say nothing, and be nothing.” – Aristotle
___
“They disparage one who remains silent, they disparage one who talks a lot, they disparage one who talks in moderation.” — Buddha quoting a saying (from Dhammapada)
___
Related:
- “It’s too late.”
- You’ll never do great things unless you make the effort and try.
- The Circle of Like
- Likability. Being liked and unliked.
- Just do it! Except YOU. Are we a culture of motivational hypocrites?
