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The Minimalists
The Minimalists are Emmy-nominated Netflix stars and New York Times–bestselling authors Joshua Fields Millburn and Ryan Nicodemus. Alongside their podcast cohost, T.K. Coleman, this simple-living trio helps millions of people eliminate clutter and live meaningfully with less. Learn More.

Seagulls

Criticism is inevitable—unless you do nothing important with your life. But whenever you put yourself out there, whenever you expose your ideas to the world—be it via social media, blogs, or business meetings—you’re effectively wearing a sign that says “criticize me.”

Of course, some criticism is beneficial: feedback from people we respect helps us grow. Other criticism, however, is toxic: the most virulent example is the cynical Internet Troll.

These critics are like seagulls: they fly in, shit all over you, and fly away. They’re too stupid to understand the implications of their own actions.

Truth be told, most critics bring nothing to the table: they simply project their own insecurities and add zero value to the conversation. And if we listen to them, their toxicity permeates our thoughts, making it difficult to create anything worthwhile.

So, you have two choices: either create and be criticized, or hide from meaningful work because you’re scared of a little bird poop.

Personally, I’d rather cover my head and craft something worth criticizing.

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