It is harder than it sounds

The further away from a problem you are, the easier the answer. If you are not the one trying to right the ship, it is easy to know what to do. When you don’t have to face your decision, it always seems right.

I find it funny how many people feel their opinions are the truth. They spout off about their beliefs. They argue their point of view. They criticize everyone and everything around them.

Yet most of these critics never get a chance to test out their theories. They never rise to the level where they can make a difference. Instead, they are stuck on the sidelines where it is easy to criticize others.

In systems thinking, we understand how complex the systems in the world really are. We know that all systems contain elements that interconnect and interact in many ways. Yet the critic can ignore this. He can single out the parts of the system that prove his point.

Being a critic is easy to do. Everyone does it. Everyone sees the struggling company and claims to know the path forward for them to succeed. But they don’t. They really don’t have a clue, that is why it is so easy for them to form such a naïve perspective.

It is much better to be criticized by fools than to become one. Don’t give in to the Monday morning quarterback, the know-it-all, or the Debby Downer. I’d much rather be out there struggling through problems than hiding from them behind harsh criticism of others.

At least then, we are doing something. They aren’t sitting around complaining. We are trying to make things better. But doing this puts a target on our back. We become the scapegoat for every problem.

If you find yourself frustrated because your opinions aren’t taken seriously, maybe it is for good reason. Stop trying to influence the world by finding fault in everything around you. Instead, find the good. Find the ways to improve. Find ways to help.

By being in the fight means you might lose. But at least you have the guts to try. At least you are willing to put yourself out there.

Find more ways to do what you feel is right instead of saying what you feel is right. It is fine to test out your ideas, but don’t expect anyone to take them seriously unless you do the work necessary and make yourself vulnerable.

But if you do, you will join a new group of people that are willing to stick their neck out for what they believe in. They are willing to do the work. They are willing to make the unpopular decisions. Sure, it might be painful at times, but at least you aren’t hiding in the background, scared to step forward.

When you do take those difficult steps, you will realize why people don’t care about the opinions of those who don’t know. It is because everything sounds easy from far away. But when you are the one trying to right the wrongs, it takes time. It takes effort. It takes patience and persistence. In other words, it is harder than it sounds.