Write More Confidently by Avoiding This One Thing

Free AI web copilot to create summaries, insights and extended knowledge, download it at here

895

Abstract

id="a6a2">Even top authors such as Seth Godin — an entrepreneur and author renowned for his best-selling books — avoid unnecessary criticism and focus on people who matter.</p><p id="bb6b">Godin took comments off his <a href="https://seths.blog/">blog </a>15 years ago. He explains that if he kept comments on, he would have worried about publishing each post, trying to satisfy everyone. He would have spent extra time explaining each blog post a little more, worrying about what everyone thinks. So he had a choice, remove comments, or end up without a blog because he’s too worried about what people would think.</p><p id="d8a0">Ten years ago, he stopped reading reviews on Amazon. “A one-star review doesn’t mean I did a bad job,” Godin explains. “It means the wrong person read my book.” (This is coming from a best-selling author!!!)</p><h2 id="bcab">The Takeaway</h2><p id="d958">I wouldn

Options

’t recommend not reading comments altogether — I haven’t tried and not planning to. I find comments motivating (but there’s that constant fear of judgment). But I do recommend the following:</p><ul><li>Don’t spend too much time reading comments and worrying about what others think. Be aware of it and limit the time you spend reading and responding to comments.</li><li>Focus on writing your stories first, and respond to comments second.</li><li>When you do get a negative comment, try and remember, you shouldn’t try to cater to everybody. It’s impossible. <i>You can’t be everyone’s cup of tea.</i></li><li>Focus on your smallest viable audience, and do your best work.</li><li>You still have to put in the effort. Not worrying about any criticism doesn’t mean you can get away with crap. It means you should care about criticism that matters while doing your best.</li></ul></article></body>

Even top performers do this.

“All criticism is not the same.” — Seth Godin

Just because someone found and read your post doesn’t mean you should care about their opinion. And it doesn’t mean they care about you either.

Ask yourself, who are you seeking to serve? Who is your smallest viable audience?

You can’t satisfy everyone, and you shouldn’t try to. It’s impossible.

Even top authors such as Seth Godin — an entrepreneur and author renowned for his best-selling books — avoid unnecessary criticism and focus on people who matter.

Godin took comments off his blog 15 years ago. He explains that if he kept comments on, he would have worried about publishing each post, trying to satisfy everyone. He would have spent extra time explaining each blog post a little more, worrying about what everyone thinks. So he had a choice, remove comments, or end up without a blog because he’s too worried about what people would think.

Ten years ago, he stopped reading reviews on Amazon. “A one-star review doesn’t mean I did a bad job,” Godin explains. “It means the wrong person read my book.” (This is coming from a best-selling author!!!)

The Takeaway

I wouldn’t recommend not reading comments altogether — I haven’t tried and not planning to. I find comments motivating (but there’s that constant fear of judgment). But I do recommend the following:

Don’t spend too much time reading comments and worrying about what others think. Be aware of it and limit the time you spend reading and responding to comments.

Focus on writing your stories first, and respond to comments second.

When you do get a negative comment, try and remember, you shouldn’t try to cater to everybody. It’s impossible. You can’t be everyone’s cup of tea.

Focus on your smallest viable audience, and do your best work.

You still have to put in the effort. Not worrying about any criticism doesn’t mean you can get away with crap. It means you should care about criticism that matters while doing your best.