From: alexhormozi
Ignoring critics, while easy to say, can be challenging to implement [02:21:00]. However, it is a crucial truth for achieving an unfair advantage [00:00:00].
Understanding Critics
Most people are “fat, poor pansies” and will attempt to deter you from succeeding [02:29:00]. The average person’s goal is to keep you average [02:35:00]. If you aspire to be extraordinary, you will naturally engage in actions that an ordinary person would deem “extra” [02:40:00].
A difficult truth to accept is that many people desire your failure, as it validates their choice not to take risks themselves [02:47:00].
Who to Listen To
Always prioritize listening to individuals who are closest to your goals, rather than those who are merely closest to you [02:54:00]. Ultimately, your critics will pass away, and their opinions will cease to matter, rendering them irrelevant even now [03:01:00].
Envy Versus Effort
The amount of mental energy people expend on hatred and envy for others’ achievements, if redirected towards their own goals, would already lead to success [12:18:00].
Consider these hard truths:
- No one is performing as well as you perceive them to be; by comparison, you are often better off than you think [13:34:00].
- Victory is not achieved by defeating others, but by realizing your own potential and consequently rendering others irrelevant [12:42:00].
- Your greatest threat is not your competition, but a mediocre version of yourself that never achieves its potential [12:52:00].
It is ironic that the businesses most copied by their competition are those that ignore their competitors [13:14:00]. Success stems from focusing on the customer; if you prioritize the customer, others will naturally emulate you because you are doing what works [13:21:00]. The actual threat is that no one copies you at all, indicating you are doing nothing [13:40:00].
Instead of comparing yourself to others or mentally tearing them down, channel that energy into self-improvement. Only one of these actions will genuinely help you [14:01:00].
Don’t Give Away Your Power
What offends you ultimately controls you [21:45:00]. Whatever you blame also holds power over your life [21:48:00]. Using excuses like “I can’t do it because X” means that X has power over your life [21:55:00].
Even if your excuses are valid, they are still your problem, and you must act on them [17:07:00]. Waiting to live the life you desire until you die, merely to validate an excuse, is not a worthwhile goal [17:18:00]. Excuses are fundamentally a “permission slip for mediocrity,” seeking respect without the outcome [17:43:00]. However, only you truly believe your excuses; while loved ones may indulge you, you will not earn genuine respect, especially not your own [17:59:00]. You will always know you could have done more [18:14:00].
The Voice of Judgment
The crucial step is identifying whose voice or judgment you fear [32:47:00]. Often, it’s just a couple of specific individuals [32:54:00]. Giving someone power over your life by allowing their potential negative opinion to dictate your decisions is a terrible reason not to act [33:36:00].
Even if you achieve success, people who don’t want you to win will find justifications to disqualify your earned respect [34:04:00]. They might attribute your success to genetics, parents, inherited wealth, connections, or demographics [34:14:00]. Providing them with these justifications does not benefit you [34:32:00].
Do not choose to prove everyone wrong by wasting any advantages you may have [34:51:00]. Play the cards you are dealt [35:28:00]. People will attempt to disqualify your success regardless, because it makes them uncomfortable [34:47:00].