The Power Criticism

        People with momentum all share one trait; they attract criticism. How you respond to that criticism will determine the rate of your momentum. I was reading a cover story on Billy Graham in Time magazine recently and was surprised to find in that article several criticisms of him from fellow ministers. I was reminded of this fact: all great people get great criticism. Learn to accept and expect the unjust criticisms for your great goals and accomplishments.

It can be beneficial to receive constructive criticism

From those who have your best interest at heart, but you’re not responsible to respond to those who don’t. Don’t ever give time to a critic; instead, invest it with a friend. I like what Edward Gibbon said: “I never make the mistake of arguing with people for whose opinions I have no respect.”

It’s a thousand times easier to criticize than create

That’s why critics are never problem solvers. “Any fool can criticize, condemn and complain, and most do” (Dale Carnegie). My feeling is that the person who says it cannot be done should not interrupt the one who is doing it. Just remember, when you are kicked from behind, it means you are out in front. A Yiddish proverb says “A critic is like the girl who can’t dance so she says the band can’t play.”

Critics know the answer

without having probed deep enough to know the questions. “A critic is a man created to praise greater men than himself, but he is never able to find them” (Richard LeGallienne). The critic is convinced that the chief purpose of sunshine is to cast shadows. He doesn’t believe anything, but he still wants you to believe him. Like a cynic, he always knows the “price of everything and the value of nothing” (Oscar Wilde). Don’t waste time responding to your critics, because you owe nothing to a critic.

Don’t belittle be big; don’t become a critic

We have no more right to put our discordant states of mind into the lives of those around us and rob them of their sunshine and brightness than we have to enter houses and steal their silverware’’ (Julia Seton). In criticizing others, remember that you will work overtime for no pay.

Never throw mud. If you do, you may hit your mark

But you will have dirty hands. Don’t be a cloud because you failed to become a star. Instead, “Give so much time to the improvement of yourself that you have no time to criticize others” (Optimist Creed). Spend your time and energy creating, not criticizing.

A good thing to remember,

A better thing to do-

Work with the construction gang,

Not the wrecking crew.