Before you read this blog, I have a quick question for you?
Take a brief second and think of a major goal that you are trying to achieve right now.
My is question for you is:
How happy are you with your progress towards that goal?
If I had to guess, I would say that you are:
- Frustrated that it's taking a lot longer than you expected
- Frustrated that it is harder than you would have thought
- Confused because you don't know what to do next
- Jealous because what you are trying to do seems so easy for someone else that you know
- Tired because the whole process, at times, can be a seriously exhausting ordeal
Am I right?
If I am, then welcome to the club.
Of all the people that I've ever spoken with on their way to living the life of their dreams, all are going through the same situation described above.
They are all struggling.
"Accept the challenges so you can feel the exhilaration of victory."
-General George S. Patton
We all know that emerging from the challenge is where all the growth and self-esteem happen. It's the successful navigation of that struggle that will help you become tougher, happier and full of pride and self-esteem.
That is unless something else happens.
That 'something else' is what this blog post is about.
Along your journey to success, I know you've met a lot of critics.
Critics are not always rude and brutal people; they can sometimes be your family (or friends) who for very genuine and protective reasons tell you that you will fail, or that you are being too ambitious.
All critics, however, share one thing in common...
All critics share the belief that success is impossible.
The critics who care about you will tell you your goals are impossible to try and protect your from harm; while the critics who you hate you will watch and laugh behind your back and as your struggle unsuccessfully.
Interestingly, both types of critics will feel relief that you failed.
Why would a critic feel relief? Because critics are not born; they are created.
A critic, at one point in their life, was an ambitious person. They had a dream and vision, however, when the challenges got tougher they stopped instead of persevering through the challenge towards success.
There is something fascinating that might happen to a person when they stop the pursuit of a goal or vision.
They rationalize their choice to stop.
They might say "I had to stop" or "that goal was impossible to achieve" or "nobody could have ever done that" or "successful people are lucky."
It's these types of rationalizations that create a critic.
The purpose of this blog is to remind you that no matter what you are doing you will have set backs. You could even have a set back so massive that it will derail your entire life.
Things will always take longer than you thought, and be way harder than you expected, and to be honest, quitting might be the best solution.
But, don't let the experience harden you into becoming a critic. Don't let failure, which we've all experienced far more than success, create that distaste for someone else who has the ambition to try.
Don't let your unconquered challenges harden your soul and make you a critic.
And on the flip side, when you encounter a critic, use love and understanding to deal with them. Know that they have a story as well.