How to Never be Criticized for the Rest of Your Life
Friday, I was standing in line waiting to have my license examined to see if I was legal to fly in to Dallas.
As the TSA agent was inspecting someone’s ID in front of me, a uniformed man walked up to the front of the line. He was obviously an employee of the airport and was able to skip the line to get to his job, but apparently, he was doing it the wrong way.
“Don’t stand over there! Stand up over here!” the TSA agent barked at the worker.
He asked a question (it was obvious that English was new to him,) and the TSA agent continued to bark at him, and then to belittle him. “Why can’t you just follow directions? It’s not that hard.” And she continued to berate him to the passengers who were standing in front of her.
Obviously, I don’t know either of the people in this situation, but it was apparent that this older gentleman was new to this job, and probably our county. and because he didn’t know the system, he was getting criticized. This man, who left his homeland, I’m guessing in pursuit of a better life for him and possibly his family. He is having to learn new customs, learn a new language, and relearn everything he thought he knew because everything in his life is new.
And this woman had no time for it.
The only way this man (and you) will stopped being criticized is if he, and you stop showing up.
The next time you’re being criticized, ask yourself –
Am I doing something new? People who are comfortable in never changing their lives are the first to criticize those who do.
Am I being brave? It takes courage to say “This is new to me – I don’t know everything, but I’m marching forward!
Right now, I’m stepping into a new world, podcasting. I don’t know a lot about it, and it’s easy for me to be embarrassed “I should know how to do this! I wish I was better at this!” But really, I can only be as good as I am today, and maybe tomorrow, by trying something new, I can be a little better. But I’m going to be a whole lotta bad before I can do anything well.
Are y0u in the midst of something new? Tell me about it. I want to cheer you on in being brave!
And if you’re being criticized, look at the source. As Brene Brown says, “I only listen to those who are in the ring.” Listen to other brave people who are doing their own brave things, not those who are sitting comfortably in the spectator section.
Good post! We will be linking to this great article
on our website. Keep up the good writing.
Hello Kathi, I ran across your website through Rob Eager’s startawildfire.com te. I love your style. Your humor. Your heart. This post resonated with me as I have entered”the marketing my book” phase of my life. (And I thought writing it was hard.) I love your quote “But I’m going to be a whole lotta bad before I can do anything well.” Thanks for the inspiration!!!!!!!!
Thank you for this!! I met you at the mops convention.. I told you were the most inspirational to me of all the speakers!! Going through many changes divorce (husband in prison) and weeding out comments as a single mom of 3 boys can be difficult.
Just stopped to pray for you girl!
I’m not a confrontational person with my friends, but lately, I’ve felt let down in big ways. When I find myself in similar situations over and over again, I wonder if God is trying to teach me something. I am thinking about being deeply honest with how I feel, sharing that I felt hurt, and the desire for the friendship to grow.
My husband and I adopted 3 little girls aged 1,3 and 7 (sisters) a few years ago when I was 49 and he was 56. We already had a 13 year old. We had many people ask why we would do such a thing at our age. We have had the girls for 4 years and it hasn’t been easy but well worth it. I have recently returned to school and will receive my Masters in Marriage and Family Therapy in May. This wasn’t without criticism either. But you know what they say: “The best answer to criticism is success”. We just don’t answer to negative remarks and let the results be our answer. I will be listening to you as you podcast. Happy podding!
I LOVE the message today! A lot of us could never leave our comfort zones to do something new. I just started with an idea myself for a new adventure and I have to remind myself if the Lord has put it in my heart then it needs to be done!
I’m about to do something new: serve as emcee for your Get Yourself Organized workshop at MOMcon (MOPS convention) in Kansas City in just 10 days! I’ve never done that role before and am really nervous about botching the intro, running into unsolvable technical difficulties, and/or losing control of the microphone and the audience. Prayers appreciated…looking forward to meeting you!
What a great message, Kathi. Your opening story really resonated with me. Our daughter, a German-French major who graduated in June, found herself a job in France. She’s working as an English language teaching assistant in the French school system. She’s been in France three weeks and is facing the same type of challenges as the gentleman you mentioned. It wasn’t easy for her to leave everything and everyone she knew, but she did it. Talk about brave. I wouldn’t have had that kind of courage at 22 years old. I love that she was willing to step outside her comfort zone. The transition isn’t without its challenges, but she’s doing well. I couldn’t be prouder of her.