"If you never want to be criticized, for goodness' sake don't do anything new."

Trying new things always comes with a bit of flak. It's like an unwritten rule of life. Imagine you're in a comfy old armchair—safe, familiar, cozy. You decide to get up and try out that funky new beanbag chair your friend recommended. Suddenly, everyone around you has an opinion. "Why would you switch?" "That armchair was fine!"

But that's just it. When you stick your neck out and try something new, you're putting yourself in the spotlight, and with that comes scrutiny. This quote is a reminder that if you want to avoid criticism entirely, you'd have to stick with the status quo and avoid any change or innovation.

Think back to when this might've first hit home in history. Take Thomas Edison, for example. The guy invented the light bulb, among other things. But before his breakthroughs, he failed—over and over. People probably criticized him, called him a dreamer or worse. But he didn't stop. He kept pushing, kept trying new things, and eventually, he changed the world. If he'd wanted to avoid criticism, he would've stopped after his first few failures. But where would we be then? Probably still lighting candles.

Now, think about a real-life scenario. Imagine Sarah, a graphic designer at a marketing firm. She's been using the same design software for years. It's reliable, everyone knows it, but there’s this new software that promises more features and better results. Sarah decides to give it a shot. Almost immediately, her colleagues start whispering. "Why change something that’s not broken?" they murmur. But Sarah sticks with it, learning the new tool’s ins and outs, and soon her designs are better than ever, earning accolades and new clients for the firm. Sarah's initial critics? They start asking her for tips.

So, how can you take this wisdom and run with it? First, don't let the fear of criticism paralyze you. If there’s something new you want to try, whether it's a hobby, a project at work, or even a new style, brace yourself for a bit of blowback and do it anyway. The initial criticism will die down, and you might just find you’re onto something great.

Here’s a story to drive it home. Picture this: You’re at the high school reunion, and your old buddy Jim is there. Jim was always the steady guy, never one to rock the boat. Then there's you. You took that risky move to start your own business. At the time, people thought you were nuts. “A stable job is the way to go,” they said. Fast forward, and now you’re sharing your crazy entrepreneurial journey—complete with highs and lows—and Jim? He's still in the same role, safe but maybe a bit envious of your adventure.

Remember, criticism is a sign you’re shaking things up. It means you’re stepping out of your comfort zone, which is where growth happens. So next time you're worried about what people might say, think about Sarah, Edison, or even yourself at that reunion. Embrace the new, and let the critics chatter. They’ll catch up eventually.

Drink that extra cup of coffee, take a deep breath, and jump into the unknown. The armchair will be there if you need it, but chances are, once you’ve tried the beanbag, you won’t look back.