Some will always say you’re wrong

Some will always say you’re wrong

By Derek Sivers

Some people are into money. Some aren’t.

Some people are inspired(inˈspīrd) by helping the needy(ˈnēdē). Some aren’t.

Some are into fame(fām), power, and prestige(-ˈstēj,preˈstēZH). Others are into anonymity(ˌanəˈnimədē) and freedom from responsibility.

It gets more interesting when you realize people have different preferences(ˈpref(ə)rəns) in the different parts of their life. Famous online, but anonymous(əˈnänəməs) in their local community. Generous with time, stingy(ˈstinjē) with money. Introvert(ˈintrəˌvərt) when working, extrovert(ˈekstrəˌvərt) when not.

You have to know your preferences well, because no matter what you do, someone will tell you you’re wrong.

If you’re not into money, many people will say you’re foolish(ˈfo͞oliSH).

If you’re not into charity(ˈCHerədē), many people will say you’re greedy(ˈgrēdē).

If you’re not into crowds(kroud), many people will say you’re missing out.

Some careers(kəˈri(ə)r) come with excuses(ikˈskyo͞oz):

The classic(ˈklasik) novelist(ˈnävəlist) thrives(THrīv) in solitude(ˈsäləˌt(y)o͞od). Alone(əˈlōn) in a cabin(ˈkabən) in the woods, writing books that reach millions.

The classic journalist(ˈjərn(ə)ləst) thrives in a crowd. Talking with everyone, building the story from a thousand accounts.

The shy(SHī) librarian(līˈbre(ə)rēən). The aggressive(əˈgresiv) lawyer. The flaky(ˈflākē) artist. No explanation(ˌekspləˈnāSHən) needed.

But some careers need explanations when you go against the mold(mōld):

The entrepreneur(-ˈnər,ˌäntrəprəˈno͝or) who’s not into money.

The musician(myo͞oˈziSHən) who avoids crowds.

The ambitious(amˈbiSHəs) conservationist(ˌkänsərˈvāSHənəst).

The artist into discipline(ˈdisəplən).

The rich poet(ˈpōit,ˈpōət).

But if you expect this criticism(ˈkridəˌsizəm) in advance, and take pride(prīd) in your stance(stans), you can bash(baSH) on with a smile, being who you want to be.

Then every time they say you’re wrong, that’s a sign(sīn) you’re doing it right.

https://sivers.org/wrong