May 1, 2013 
Better a weary warrior than a quivering critic
- “It’ll never work.”
- “What is he even thinking?”
- “Why does she bother?”
I don’t mind criticism. When it comes from those with personal experience and noble intentions, it can reveal the path from mediocrity toward greatness.
But I can’t fathom the “criticism” industry. But I’ve never understood why we allow those who don’t create to criticize those who do. I’m baffled that we pay those who don’t sweat and strive to criticize those in the game?
Should someone who has never had the guts to stand alone on stage get paid to criticize those who bravely face the audience? Should someone who’s never played or coached a sport get paid to criticize those sweating and striving before their eyes?
I think Teddy Roosevelt said it best:
It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly … who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who neither know victory nor defeat.
Do you have sideline critics in your life? Are there people reviewing the movie of your life and telling others it’s not worth the price of admission? Are there armchair quarterbacks questioning your play-calling decisions? I’m here to tell you, they don’t matter.
They have a right to speak, but you have no obligation to listen.
KnowledgeBishop 
Hey, glad to see you writing again (and if you have been, sorry I’m late to the party). Great post. It reminded me of the Monday Morning Quarterback commercial Brett Farve did for Mastercard back in 2007. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZoEGYFzS0jA.
Great post!
I forgot to mention also, that TR quote is my all-time favorite. Critics don’t count. We all need to consider how much time we waste criticizing instead of doing. Thanks for the reminder.
Thanks so much, Mike. It’s a great quote. I try to keep it in clear view all day.
Thoughtful, and true. Thanks for taking the time to shine some light on those that do > as part of a team or all alone (it’s amazing how these critics can exist within a ‘team’ of people working to the same goal). Wherever they pop up – send them love, and then focus energy on the good of the work to do and the customers to help.
Yes! Dialog is healthy as is criticism of ideas and approaches. But disdain from the disengaged is absolutely useless.