I once made a video about people who talk too much. It became one of my most-viewed videos, which told me the topic really resonated with people. But what also came with those views was a wave of comments — and many of them were surprisingly negative. Some comments were harsh, even though the advice was considerate and meant to be helpful.
Not one person had paid for the advice. Not one person was forced to watch it. Yet some reacted as though I had personally offended them. What was missing in almost all of the criticism was thoughtful dialogue. No one said, “I tried this and it didn’t work for me,” or “Have you thought about this approach?” It was mostly an emotional reaction, not a reflection.
So I made a decision. I didn’t reply defensively. I simply observed.
The fact that so many people reacted meant the message struck a nerve. It got people thinking. And that’s the whole point. Online, it’s ten times more common to receive negative feedback than positive feedback. Which also means there were likely many people who learned something and simply didn’t comment.
If you want to have influence — if you want to help people think differently — criticism is not only unavoidable, it is a sign you are doing something meaningful.
Persuasion and growth always involve discomfort. People push back when you introduce new ideas. If your goal is to stay comfortable, then avoiding criticism makes sense. But if you want to create change, you have to be willing to be challenged.
So the next time someone criticizes you, instead of taking it personally, quietly thank them. Their reaction means you’re making an impact. You’re not just speaking into the void. You’re shaping minds — and sometimes that starts with resistance.
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