Criticism: An Unfortunate Part of Success

The controversy surrounding Barry Bonds' pursuit of the all-time home run record is well documented. If you are not familiar with the affair, there are allegations that Bonds used performance enhancing drugs during his career. These drugs, according to many, gave him an unfair advantage that players in the past did not have. It is this belief that leads many to feel that Henry Aaron is still the home run champion.

We are not here to discuss the merits of Aaron versus Bonds. What is interesting is to see how people criticize Bonds during the pursuit. In an interview, he was asked about being booed by all the fans in Dodger Stadium if he would indeed get the record there. His response was a classic. He said, “you have to be pretty good to get booed by 50,000 people”. What a way to keep things in perspective. Ponder that for a moment. How often do fans ride the backs of utility players? Obviously, this is not done very often. The ones who become targets are the stars. They become open game for the media, fans, and opposing players. It is a price they pay for being at the top of their profession.

There is an old saying that goes, “they never erected a statue for a critic”. Consider the audacity of a person in the media criticizing a professional athlete. In the example of baseball, there are roughly 750 people in the major leagues at one time. Anyone on a roster is one of only 750 men in the world who are good enough to play at that level. This is from a sample of millions who start playing baseball as children. Yet the critics sit in judgment by proclaiming someone a failure, terrible, or some other derogatory term. This without playing one minute at that level themselves.

If you are going to be a success in any endeavor, the harsh reality is that you will not be without criticism. The more successful that you become, the more that people will attempt to tear you down. Unless you prepare yourself for this, you can be caught totally off guard. All the emotional joy received from the success at that endeavor is lost by the pounding you take emotionally from others. Unfortunately, it can come from some of the people closest to us.

Often, people who criticize are trying to make up for their own inadequacies in life. They subscribe to the belief that misery loves company. Why should you be happy and successful when they are not? The fact that they cannot do what you did is irrelevant to them. Look at the professional baseball player again. Have you ever heard someone preclude the criticism by mentioning that this individual is one of the best in the world and that the announcer could go no further than high school baseball.? The odds are that you never witnessed this.

Most people are unfulfilled in their lives. Ironically, it is these same people who are quick to tear down another. Be extremely careful of these individuals. If you attempt to satisfy them by defending what you are accomplishing, you are like the dog chasing his tail. It will not get you anywhere. You will have to learn to turn a deaf ear to criticism. The actions you take will need to be done in spite of the verbal assault that might ensue. Do not alter your plans to please these individuals. It will not make their lives any better. In the end, you will only be hurting yourself.

Keep in mind the way Barry Bonds was approaching his critics. Each time someone tries to tear you down, just tell yourself that you must be pretty good to have them “booing” you. It will enable you to take the action required for success despite what others think. Let criticism be a barometer for you to judge you progress. The more you are receiving, the more successful you are becoming.

“50,000 people do not boo a utility player”.

Article Source: http://www.myaddirectory.com

Dennis Harting is the Head Coach at Your Rich Life. He is an acclaimed speaker, trainer, and best-selling author. His international best selling books include Your Easiest Million and The Ultimate Procrastination Handbook. His programs and more information can be found at www.yourrichlifeinc.com.

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