Dont read the comments

Dont read the commentsDont read the commentsAdvice from Theodore Roosevelt this Fourth of July weekIt is not the critic who counts, not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles or where the doer of deeds could have done better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood, who strives valiantly, who errs and comes up short again and again, because there is no effort without error or shortcoming, but who knows the great enthusiasms, the great devotions, who spends himself for a worthy cause who, at the best, knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who, at the worst, if he fails, at least he fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who knew neither victory nor defeat.I share this TR quote every year on the 4th of July, for the 16 years since we started. Each year, it seems to get mora relevant.In an era of social media, there are more critics, hate rs, naysayers, and negative people than ever before. And the tools they have at their disposal for spreading their fibs, poison, and unhappiness are more powerful than ever before in our history.Follow Ladders on FlipboardFollow Ladders magazines on Flipboard covering Happiness, Productivity, Job Satisfaction, Neuroscience, and moreSo it feels like TR is on to something when he says those cold and timid souls who point out our stumbles, shouldnt be our focus.Rather, this Fourth of July, its worth remembering that it is professionals like you who make this country great. You lead your companies, you lead your teams, you lead your communities, churches and synagogues.And being leaders, you know that someone always has something to say about it. A critique, a carp, a complaint. Seems like everyone else can do your job better than you - at least in their own minds.But, funny, isnt it, that theyre not the ones getting up early, getting the kids off to school, completing the TPS report, wooing the new recruit, talking the client off the ledge, lending a patient ear to an employee in trouble, explaining to the higher-ups why investing for the future is the right move, all while balancing a back-to-back meeting schedule, fighting an inbox that seems to sprout emails, and trying to get in some quality time with the family, the spouse, the squeeze at night.You do understand the great enthusiasms, the great devotions, the worthy cause. You didnt put yourself through the trials of studying hard, working your way through grad school, slogging it through those early years, pushing yourself harder and harder, because you were looking for an easy life.You wanted a successful life.You wanted to make something of yourself.And, thanks to TR and all the Americans who came before and after him, you have the mglichkeit.The chance to be devoted. The chance to be worthy.This Fourth of July lets give thanks for TR, lets give thanks for America, and lets give thanks for the country we love.Im rooting for you. Marc Cenedella, Founder