Well, it’s the Friday before the big game. Many of you may already have one foot into the weekend and perhaps even scheduled your Monday morning off. Super Bowl weekend is upon us, and I think most would agree that because our local team isn’t playing on Sunday, the excitement level may not rise to what it was a year ago. This year’s Super Bowl will be played in New Orleans, where neither team is expected to have any home-field advantage. Can you imagine the excitement level at game time just as Jon Batiste completes his version of the Star-Spangled Banner? Imagine the intense emotion felt by the players at that moment. The fanfare soon ends as the two teams get ready to knock heads. It’s game time.
Picture yourself standing in the middle of a crowded stadium. You’re in the heat of competition in front of 65,000 screaming fans, and at least half, are NOT cheering for you. Some of those 50 percent even hate you. They don’t just hate you; they are letting you know why and precisely how much they despise you. Maybe even with disgusting comments about your family.
You enter your version of that stadium daily in the sport of business. They’re called haters, and you probably don’t have enough of them. That’s right, you read that correctly. I am suggesting you need more haters. Why? Because there’s a direct correlation between the amount of success you enjoy and the number of haters you have.
Many experts will tell you that you must be willing to be hated if you want to achieve greatness. Heck, I think you should love the hate because that means you’re on the right track… it means you’re relevant. Every top achiever has their critics… heck, just look at Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce of the Kansas City Chiefs. They are one of the greatest quarterback-tight-end combinations in NFL history. Interesting how they both are recognized as two of the most hated players in football. Why? Because they’re good. Damn good.
Haters are people who think they know the route to success, but they never actually get on the plane to fly themselves there. This all reinforces the fact that we need haters in our business, but we cannot get caught up on what critics say about our work.
I believe the haters hate because criticism is self-hate turned outward. I believe hate is often a sign of weakness, envy, and fear. Haters hate you because you’re doing what they cannot, will not, or are too afraid to attempt.
Haters are a natural part of the growth of your business. When you’re new, there will be critics, when you’re good there will be haters, and when you’re excellent they will turn into admirers. The question is: Are you willing to be attacked and criticized as a person to grow your brand?
There is one way to avoid having haters. Sit on the sidelines, do nothing, don’t set goals, be average and no one will judge or hate you.
Criticism and hate are the price you pay for taking your business to the big time. So don’t let the sound of your haters overwhelm you, you only give them power if you listen to what they say. Ignore the noise and use your haters as fuel for the fire. They hate you because you’re on to something and you are doing big things. In a way, they are one of the greatest forms of feedback you can get.
Remember: They can doubt you; they can hate you… but they will never keep you from being a champion.
If you hate this little message this morning, well… thanks.
TERRY Talks 