You are doing a fine job in the critical assessment of the accomplishments of those who are out there doing something. Surely there is no shortage of critics who take jabs at great efforts, especially when those efforts fall short of the creator's vision. However, the world is rarely benefitted by discouraging the dreams of doers. If you must focus your energy towards criticism, it should be turned towards motivating those who take no risks, and do not venture towards greatness, but live a life without purpose or effort.
Most all great accomplishments in life are preceeded my set backs.
But, also great success comes to those who risk.
It amazes me how many people are quick to criticize but short on helping those who dream. I think it comes from an attitude of, "Oh yeah, who are YOU! So there!"
I saw a bumber sticker that said something like mean people (fill in the blank).
Jon,
Who is the citic? You have someone particular in mind or you are addressing all of them (or us) as a class?
I thhink we are both encouraging and critisizing at the same time. At least, usually in life it is like this. Or maybe I am wrong
Missy, it's interesting that the pursuit of great success nearly always accompanies exposure to risk.
I tend to measure the level of risk involved in an endevour by attributing a guess at a literal percentage of failure, then I analyze what that failure would mean in real terms in my life. This process affords me a sense of security in my pursuits, and allows me a level of self forgiveness in my failures.
In hindsight I can look at a failure and say, "Going in I figured that I had a 25% chance of failing. It looks like I got a bad roll of the dice; onto my next adventure.".
Well stated! Criticism should be focused not only on motivating those who do not take risks, but also on challenging others to "raise the bar" to achieve more!
Ah ha. A cretic in our midst. They must have taken the day off from contemplating their navel.
Funny thing about critics. They are usually anonomous.
Hi Jon,
This post received it's origins as a comment on a blog (outside of ActiveRain) earlier today. However, my intention is that this post is directed at all critical works.
Steve,
Although I agree with you that criticism should be focused on challenging others to achieve more, I believe that positive affirmation is a much more successful method of enacting change. I believe my post missed this point and so I'm glad that you provided to me the opportunity to address it.
Bob,
I wonder if critics believe they are helping people by evaluating their subject's efforts?
Thank you, thank you, thank you, Jonathan. I hope everybody reads this. It's a real downer to read negative/critical comments even if they aren't directed at the reader.
Hi Jon... Your response actually reminded me of something. I read a study on motivation when I was managing a team of managers years ago, and the results said that neither positive affitmation nor critical assesment/feedback were effective alone. What this study said was the "optimal" approach was a combination of the two (and if I recall, some "incentive" thrown in for good measure). Maybe you and I should get together and do our own study! :)
Those who can't DO, often have to criticize:)
I am a big believer in positive reinforcement and also think doing anything is better than doing nothing
Jon - I agree wholeheartedly. I have found that those who spend their time trying to tear others down only end up harming themselves.
Jon,
Excellent post! I need to share this with those individuals who criticized me for becoming a full time Realtor! I took a risk by quitting my full time job but I no longer enjoyed it. I've always wanted to be a Realtor. And I will be successful. Failure is not an option!
"No one ever erected a statue to a critic"
Truer words were never spoken!
A critic is someone that knows the way, but can't drive a car. -- Kenneth Tynan
Critics are bystanders of the players.
I try to avoid people that are always negative and critical because I find myself having to use my energy to stay positive when around them.