It's not the critic who counts...
Axel Rittershaus
Leadership ?? AI ?? OKRs ?? Coach, Sparring Partner, Instructor, Speaker ?? Ultra Marathon Runner, Wildlife Photographer
You might sometimes be wondering if it makes sense to go against the odds, to disagree with stupid decisions, to raise your voice when things go wrong but nobody seems to care. Critics are everywhere and they want us to keep on doing things like they used to be done and not to stir things up.
But that's wrong. That's how mediocrity wins and great minds die.
If you are going through a tough time, read the following words...
It is not the critic who counts;
not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles,
or where the doer of deeds could have done them better.
The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena,
whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood;
who strives valiantly;
who errs,
who comes short again and again,
because there is no effort without error and shortcoming;
but who does actually strive to do the deeds;
who knows great enthusiasms,
the great devotions;
who spends himself in a worthy cause;
who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement,
and who at the worst,
if he fails,
at least fails while daring greatly,
so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls
who neither know victory nor defeat.
Theodore Roosevelt
Thanks to Justin Timberlake and his speech at the Innovators Award Ceremony. He made me aware of this wonderful piece. Watch the video from min 9:00.