“Those who can — do. Those who can’t — criticize.”

Friday, [12:32] PM

Dear Friend,

I got a scathing “bitch” letter this week.

It was about something I wrote.

The writer criticized EVERYTHING… even including some really minor stuff like my font choices.

Now if it had come from somebody with some credibility, I would have probably given it my attention.

But instead, I handled it how you’re supposed to handle all the critics who come out of the woodwork whenever you try to rise above the crowd and create values from nothing…

I Ignored Him!

See, this guy made a few mistakes:

1. His criticism was unsolicited…

2. He was a complete asshole about it…

3. He’s a nobody who has never done anything of any significance his entire life…

4. The piece he was criticizing has been one of the top three most successful pieces I’ve ever written in my life!

Seriously.

Even A-listers who write for the big direct mailers have been completely flabbergasted by the double digit conversions I’m getting.

See, most of my life I’ve chosen the road less traveled… so I’ve experienced a lot of critics along the way. (Sadly, many of them friends and family.)

And here’s what I’ve noticed about all of them…

Not a single one has EVER accomplished anything of note during the entire course of their lives.

They are sad, impotent, hateful people who don’t have the balls to step out and take positive, constructive actions in their own lives. So instead, in an attempt to make themselves feel better about their pathetic existence, wasted potential and chronic cowardice… they attempt to tear down the people who DO have the balls to rise above the crowd and attempt something great.

In some strange and perverted way, I guess that somehow makes them feel a little better about themselves.

There are only two ways to handle them:

1. Smile and listen politely to their useless vitriolic rambling… then… punch them in the throat…

Or…

2. Ignore them.

A few years ago I would have chosen #1… but it acknowledges them and they’re not worthy of that.

The only correct response is to ignore them… and continue doing what you know in your heart to be right.

No matter how big or small your goal or dream, when you decide to step out from the crowd and share your light with the world, there will always be critics who will try to tear you down.

And you need to be prepared for it.

It reminds me of an old Arab proverb…

“The Dogs Bark But The Caravan Moves On!”

Imagine a big, long, majestic caravan filled with wealthy travelers…

As it passes from town to town, every starving little mangy mongrel dog comes out from hiding to run alongside it and bark.

Does the caravan driver stop to address these insignificant little mongrels?

Of course not.

He doesn’t even acknowledge their existence.

He simply keeps the caravan moving forward, no matter how many mangy street mongrels bark… and no matter the challenges encountered along the way… until the caravan arrives at its destination.

I like that mental image.

It basically means that insignificant and unimportant people can make all the fuss they like, but it has absolutely no effect on a man or woman completely resolute in the pursuit of their purpose.

And hey… if that little analogy doesn’t make you feel any better… you can always try the throat punching thing.

All the best,