How to Succeed Despite Criticism – Amelia Earhart
Here’s what she said when asked about the danger of flying:
“I am quite aware of the hazards,” said Earhart. “I want to do it because I want to do it. Women must try to do things as men have tried. When they fail, failure must be a challenge to others.”
I love how Earhart compared women to men – and accepted that failure happens. She was criticized publicly, despite her smashing successes — and she learned to overcome failure. If you’re reaching for success but can’t quite reach it, read Find Your Strongest Life: What the Happiest and Most Successful Women Do Differently.
And, here’s how Earhart succeeded despite criticism…
Succeeding Despite Criticism – Amelia Earhart
Foolish publicity stunts? Some of Amelia’s ventures, such as her solo flight from Honolulu to Washington in 1935, were criticized as foolish publicity stunts. If she was lost at sea – and she indeed crashed on land several times – she would cost the taxpayers millions of dollars in search and rescue efforts (which she eventually did, to the tune of $4 million).
Flying without a purpose? Plus, Earhart used the U.S. Army’s public resources, such as runways and manpower, to get her “ships” in the air. People sometimes questioned the purpose of her flights. One Newsweek reporter wrote, “Every so often Miss Earheart, like other prominent flyers, pulls a spectacular stunt to hit the front pages. This enhances a flyer’s value as a cigarette endorser, helps finance new planes, [and] sometimes publishes a book.”
Useless adventures? A journalist from the British weekly The Aeroplane called her solo journey across the Atlantic “a useless adventure” because she had already proven her courage and ability. This reporter suggested that Amelia’s drive to achieve was because of “boredom – a dangerous feature of modern life.”
Amelia Earhart flew as often and as far as she could, and despite criticism from some paparazzi members, she succeeded. She bounced back and overcame failure. That alone – aside from her records in speed and distance – makes her a successful, strong woman in history.
To succeed despite criticism, remember that it’s not always about you. “Don’t take things personally; someone’s always going to be mad at you and that’s okay,” writes Robert K. Cooper in The Other 90%: How to Unlock Your Vast Untapped Potential for Leadership and Life. “What other people convey – in what they think, feel, say, and do – is rarely about you; instead, it’s almost always about them.”
Earhart’s critics may have been dealing with their own issues – and even if they weren’t, who cares? Life is too short to get our panties in a knot because of what people say! Read 5 Ways to Build Resiliency – JK Rowling to increase your “bouncebackability” factor.
And, don’t let criticism slow you down! No matter what you do or how hard you try, there will be some people — such as difficult family members — who don’t understand and who will criticize you. It’s inevitable.
Listen to what your critics say, decide whether there’s a life lesson in there for you, and either let it go or learn from it. Don’t obsess about criticism, worry about it, or let it stop you from achieving your goals. In everthing exists a possible way to see Jane soar!
