Chris Peterson retired this week from the duties of head football coach at the University of Washington.
He was one of the winningest coaches in college football and at the peak of his career.
Why would he retire now?
Coincidently one of the top fitness professionals in the world sent out an email this week to the subscribers of their program stating…
“…let me be clear- this is my site and app with my exact programming and my name on it. I have and will always do things my way. Don’t complain. Just cancel. Sure, we’ll listen to your feedback via email (NOT in comments relating to a specific workout in the member’s zone) but it’s highly unlikely it will change our approach.”
These two people are at the top of their game and the best in the world at what they do and yet they are constantly criticized, scrutinized, and held to an unreasonable standard.
In fact, I would argue that it is because they are at the top of their game and the best in the world that they are held to such unreasonable standards.
As the saying goes, haters gonna hate.
This is the way of the world and is not likely to improve. Scrutiny and criticism only get worse the better you get.
I know all too well the ferocity of and internal battle with criticism, scrutiny, and high standards from others.
In the beginning, we can utilize the advice of Taylor Swift and “shake it off”, but eventually the relentlessness of the snide remarks works its way past our protective barrier and like an insidious disease begins rotting our thoughts from the inside.
So, you can either follow Elbert Hubbard’s advice:
“Criticism is something you can avoid easily — by saying nothing, by doing nothing, and by being nothing.”
Or you can find inner peace and build callouses against the world of criticism and scrutiny and even then it may become too much to handle like it has for so many others.
On the flip side don’t be so quick to criticize others. Take a second to stand in their shoes and understand why they are doing what they are doing. They, just like you, are doing the best they can with the knowledge and resources they currently have.
Maybe instead of criticizing, you support those you would otherwise criticize. Maybe if more of us lend a hand instead of throwing a punch we would keep some of the greats for longer, help them become greater yet, and feel good about our contribution to their greatness.
Brett “Supporting the Greats Since 2008” Denton