DEATH, TAXES & CRITICISM

"There is only one way to avoid criticism: Do nothing, say nothing, and be nothing." - Aristotle 

There is an old saying: "Only two things in are certain in life; Death and taxes."
I'd like to add a third; criticism.
​Someone will always have something to say about what and how you do or don't do something. Always.

The great philosopher Aristotle said "There is only one way to avoid criticism: Do nothing, say nothing, and be nothing."

​The people who are critical of you and your decision to be better than average are the ones who are also afraid of making any improvements of themselves and are resentful of those who demonstrate the courage to seek more out of life. They feel criticized by those who no longer choose to accept the average as good enough. It is important to remember, that is their problem - not yours.

You cannot allow a fear of unavoidable criticism to stop you from building a better than average life for yourself.

At times, you are your own worst critic. You continually judge yourself for mistakes you've made and use past failures as indicators of what success you're capable of accomplishing in the present.  
​It doesn't do you or your ambitions any good to criticize where you fell short in your efforts but it will reward you greatly of you understand why.
It is critically important that you forgive yourself for both the past and future shortcomings. Failing is part of the process. Failures are mile markers on the road to success. As long as you learn from them.
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To better endure criticism, even your own, you must develop a mindset that believes you deserve whatever success you have set your sight on. You must know that your birthright and destiny is greatness. From the moment you were born you given the power to create new preferred circumstances and status in place of any old condition. You have the right and power to bring forth something new and better. But you must first sincerely believe it.

To better endure criticism, even your own, you must develop a mindset that believes you deserve whatever success you have set your sight on.

You cannot allow a fear of unavoidable criticism to stop you from building a better than average life for yourself. The average person never makes the first step toward self improvement or change in their circumstances. But even that inaction leads to criticism.
Remember, not every critic is a hater and not every criticism is malicious. if you are capable of being, doing, and having more than for that which you are currently settling, you can guarantee you will invite the criticism of those who believe in you and only want you to want more for yourself.
Learn to accept and appreciate this criticism. You can learn valuable insights into yourself and how to better obtain the success you desire by listening to the objective critiques of key advisors.

Move past the fear of criticism of others and the tether of self criticism

I recommend reading The Four Agreements by Miguel Ruiz. It is a valuable tool for helping you develop a mindset for success. While all four agreements will help you better deal with criticism and to be less critical of yourself and others, agreement number one "Be impeccable with your word"  specifically states "avoid using (your) word to speak ill about yourself..."
The other three agreements - 1. not taking anything, including criticism, personally, 2. not making assumptions, and 3. always doing your best - all are techniques that will help you mitigate whatever criticism you will encounter on your journey to success.

Be better than average and move past the fear of criticism of others and the tether of self criticism.