I'm currently reading Tribes by Seth Godin and came across the following quote which he wrote about business leadership but which I think applies equally well to life in general:
So the challenge, as you contemplate your next opportunity to be boring or remarkable is to answer these two questions:
1. "If I get criticized for this, will I suffer any measurable impact? Will I lose my job, get hit upside the head with a softball bat or lose important friendships?" If the only side effect of the criticism is that you will feel bad about the criticism, then you have to compare that bad feeling with the benefits you'll get from actually doing something worth doing. Being remarkable is exciting, fun, profitable and great for your career. Feeling bad wears off.
And then, once you've compared the bad feeling and the benefits, and you've sold yourself on taking the remarkable path, answer this one:
2. How can I create something that critics will criticize?
Seth Godin
