For many years, Gary Vaynerchuk read and replied to every comment he received on social media. He has advice for those who can’t get the negative comments out of their heads, even if they only receive one criticism per hundred positive reactions.

He says that the reason the bad comment hurts so much is that we like the good comments too much. Because we allow the good comments to boost our self esteem, then the harsh ones crush it. If we define our worth by other people’s opinions (whether good or bad), we allow the bad ones to attack our value as a human.

Better to be able to shrug your shoulders at both the good and the bad.

Where then do I look for good and evil? Not to uncontrollable externals, but within myself to the choices that are my own . . .”

Epictetus, Discourses 2.5.5

For there is nothing either good or bad, but thinking makes it so.

William Shakespeare, Hamlet, Act 2 Scene 2

Expecting the world to treat you fairly because you’re an honest person is like expecting the bull not to charge you because you’re a vegetarian

Anonymous