I got the greatest email in response to my “haters” article a few weeks back. It was so insightful and encouraging, I thought I’d share it with you all. Enjoy!
Mary,
Anyone that knows you, would know that you’re 100% sincere and truly want to help business people…for every endeavor there seems to be a natural tendency for some to bring you down.
Reminds me of a situation when I had the fishing TV show a few years ago. The TV stations owner’s grandson was visiting the station, and when he saw the host of the show fishing…he loudly stated that the host “didn’t know how to fish!” Of course this upset me quite a bit…the host at times during the show, would state that he was just a novice, and he was learning like everybody else…but he loved to fish, and he usually caught fish. For me, the question was, “Is there a right or wrong way to fish?”
Then a great idea came to me. The next time I was at the TV station, the grandson was there again, and I told him that I thought that he was right…that we would need lessons from a real pro like him, to show us how to fish! Suddenly, a look of fear came across the young man’s face. I really put him on the spot by inviting him to show us the error of our ways, and teach us the “right” way to fish. He stated that he was too busy to go out with us, and quickly left the room…I think a little embarrassed.
You see, suddenly the “fishing pro” realized that if he did go out with us…he would have to catch fish…to keep from embarrassing himself. You see, any fisherman knows, that you don’t always catch fish when you go fishing…that’s why it’s called “fishing” and not “catching”.
I think the lesson to learn from the “haters” is that there will always be those that sit on the sidelines and make fun of the people who are really making a difference in their lives, and the lives of others…the important thing to realize, is that they are on the sidelines, and not in the game…so therefore, they can’t make a real difference…only testing those who are endeavoring for excellence.
We can tell the haters, “Lead, follow, or get out of the way!”
Stay strong Mary!
Jeff Deming
www.vvbrc.com
