One of the curses that must be made into blessings, as a creative producer, is that of critical attack.
What I’m trying to say to you is that the very nature of pushing your mastery into the marketplace means that you’ll be guaranteed to face the arrows of people who don’t like what you do. And don’t understand what you’ve made.
If you listen to the critics and believe the comments of the naysayers, you’ll lose your confidence. And dim your game—retreating from your genius and surrendering to what’s average.
DO. NOT. ALLOW. THIS. EVER. Please.
Because when you present your brilliance to the world you do your part to make the world more brilliant.
I’ve faced the meanness of critics.
From those who said The Monk Who Sold His Ferrari was not worthy of publication when I first started out to the few who have said my new book The Wealth Money Can’t Buy is a work of zero talent (even though it’s currently at #1 on bestseller lists in 13 countries).
I pray you trust the silent whispers of the wisdom within you and produce what feels right, great and heroic to you. Yes, this is my prayer for you.
To not do so would be to betray the best of you. And to DENY all of us the wonders of your gifts.
Which brings me to the famed Canadian rock group Nickelback. They’ve sold tens of millions of albums, toured the world and topped the charts.
But they were often known as being the band people loved to hate.
In their documentary (called “Love to Hate”) frontman Chad Kroeger said something that I find to be profound. And worthy of your consideration…
“I write Nickelback songs for Nickelback fans.”
He suggested that he didn’t really care about the venom of the critics because his focus was to please the people who appreciated what he did.
Vibing off his insight, I must say that I write my books for my beloved readers. I’m not here to please all people because when you work to please all people you end up pleasing no people.
So, remember who you’re here to serve. Know who puts food on the family table and obsess upon the human beings who love what you do. And then go all in for them.
Give your heart and soul—via the mastery of your craft—for them. Underpromise and overdeliver for them. Respect them, encourage them, appreciate them and honor them. Their reply will be a lifetime of loyalty. And rewards you simply cannot put a price tag on.
Love,
Robin