If you are new to the pursuit of excellence, just launching upon your dream chase, or just now responding to a calling in your life, you may need to be warned about something (or someone):
Bozos.
Really, I’ve got nothing against Bozo the Clown. He wore his baldness with poise and managed to keep a smile upon his face despite the wardrobe he was forced to wear. Pretty admirable, any way you slice it.
His name does serve as a categorization, however, for a certain type of person.
It doesn’t matter how noble your calling, how amazing your talent, or how sincere your attempt, there will ALWAYS be a Bozo somewhere to criticize what you’re doing. Usually, there will be several.
Bozos, you see, appreciate and grow stronger with each other’s company, taking courage from their collective cowardice.
Their purpose, as a lower species, is to denigrate others. They will question and criticize your ability, your talent, your motives, your heart, your character, your results, and just about anything else they can think of that you have or are attempting.
Get used to it. Realize that it’s just part of the landscape of high achievement. No one, and I repeat, no one is immune from Bozo Infestation.
Exhibit A: In this video (be sure to watch it all the way through), a little eight-year-old girl sings a difficult song so well it should bring tears to the eyes of anyone even approaching the classification of a human being.
And thousands of people quite appropriately clicked “like.”
But notice that, inexplicably, more than 2,000 people clicked “dislike.” I can’t imagine being in the presence of such nincompoops for even two seconds. Bozos are not above the criticism of anything, even an adorable, unbelievably gifted little girl.
Just remember this the next time someone trashes you. If they can criticize little Connie Talbot, they won’t have any trouble hurling their stones in your direction.
Like a swarm of mosquitos, Bozos will swoop in to darken your brightest shinings. Don’t let them. As with mosquitos, you can swat them, ignore them, and curse them.
But by far the most effective approach in dealing with Bozos is to apply an effective repellent. In the case of living your life and giving your all, this repellent consists of the following:
- An awareness of their existence and a refusal to be shocked by such.
- A refusal to listen to their vitriol, realizing that every great achievement is accomplished under a hail of criticism.
- Pity for their pathetic little lives they are choosing to waste.
- A steady focus upon your dream, your calling, what God built you to be.
Don’t ever let the Bozos get you down.
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Chris Brady co-authored the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, Business Weekly, USA Today, and Money Magazine best-seller Launching a Leadership Revolution.
He is also in the World’s Top 30 Leadership Gurus and among the Top 100 Authors to Follow on Twitter. He has spoken to audiences of thousands around the world about leadership, freedom, and success.
Mr. Brady contributes regularly to Networking Times magazine, and has been featured in special publications of Success and Success at Home. He also blogs regularly at Chris Brady.
He is an avid motorized adventurer, pilot, world traveler, humorist, community builder, soccer fan, and dad.
Chris, I am continually amazed at the quality of what you teach. I am so honored to be learning to follow my purpose through association on sites like this one and through the LIFE and TEAM businesses.