Business By Hormozi #189: Handling Criticism of Success

The Paradox of Success

Sophia and Matt had been building their respective businesses for years. Sophia had made significant progress—growing her company, expanding her reach, and becoming known in her industry. Matt, while successful in his own right, noticed something that began to disturb him: the more successful Sophia became, the more criticism she received.

People started pointing out her tradeoffs—the risks she took, the decisions she made, and the things she sacrificed. At first, Sophia was hurt. But over time, she realized something: the more successful you are, the more others will criticize your choices.

The Root of the Criticism

Sophia soon understood the underlying cause of the criticism. It wasn’t just about her decisions—it was about the critics themselves. People criticized her tradeoffs because it made them feel justified in not taking the same risks or doing the same hard work.

They weren’t judging her decisions based on their merit. Instead, they were projecting their own unwillingness to take risks onto her success. They chose safety over ambition, and now they were looking for reasons to validate that choice.

The Burden of Success

Matt watched as Sophia navigated the growing tension between her success and the criticism that came with it. He realized that criticism of success often stems from the fact that the critic hasn't taken the same leap of faith. They didn’t put in the work, they didn’t risk failure, and they didn’t choose the uncomfortable path that leads to growth.

Sophia, however, took these criticisms in stride. She knew that success would always attract detractors, especially when it challenged the status quo. Instead of letting criticism deter her, she let it fuel her. She focused on what mattered: her vision, her business, and her journey.

Conclusion

Success is a double-edged sword. The better you do, the more criticism of success you’ll face. But remember, this criticism often comes from a place of insecurity or self-justification. Instead of letting it shake you, use it as a reminder that your choices are leading you to where others are afraid to go. The criticism of your tradeoffs is simply proof that you are on the right path—one that requires courage and action.