Masthead header

The Only Reason You Should Listen To Critics

I cracked open Josh Kaufman’s book The Personal MBA yesterday and saw this on the first page of the intro:

Personal MBA, Josh Kaufman, Seth Godin, Chris Creed


“The critics are ALWAYS wrong.”

-Seth Godin

“Just what the world needs… Another writer.”

“Just what the world needs… Another wedding photographer.”

“Just what the world needs… Another songwriter.”

“Just what the world needs… Another person teaching.”

Critics like to use this one. To let you know that they don’t think what your doing will help anyone. That what you have to offer the world is not good enough, not big enough, not different enough. But obviously, it IS just what the world needs.  The only reason to listen to critics is to understand who your art is for and not for. The critic is always wrong because your art is not for them, but it is for somebody. It should still exist. It is, indeed, just the world needs. Thank you, critics.

When you tell someone about the idea you have, and they say, “Oh that’s just the world needs. Another that. Thank them for confirming your suspicions that you’re on to something. Then put them in your book as a thank you as well 🙂

 

Happy Thursday!

 

 

  • Setsu - I always ask authors about criticism when I go to readings. So much of it comes down to this: If you said what you meant to say, the way you meant to say it, criticism is their problem not yours.ReplyCancel

Your email is never published or shared. Required fields are marked *

*

*