What if we share our work with the world and then someone comes along and criticises it? Some people might write bad reviews that make our hearts sink. We could wonder what we’ve done wrong. Why doesn’t everyone like what we’ve created?
Wouldn’t it be wonderful if everyone loved our work? What if we received only 5-star reviews and lots of praise? No negative words at all. Or maybe this wouldn’t be as good as it sounds. Yes, our hearts might be safe from hurt, but how valuable would our work be if everyone liked it? Would it be middle-of-the-road work? Perhaps it would contain a watered-down message, one that doesn’t offend anyone. Our work probably wouldn’t be very thought-provoking and wouldn’t generate discussion, and it might not be very exciting. Maybe it wouldn’t be very helpful.
We might think that our work has to appeal to everyone but really, it just needs to fulfil the needs of our target audience, the people we’re trying to help. And if someone from outside that group offers negative feedback, we needn’t worry. We can say, “My work isn’t for you.” We didn’t create our product or service for that person, so it shouldn’t surprise us that they don’t like it.
In our latest podcast, my daughter, Imogen, and I are talking about how we should view criticism. And we’re critiquing other people’s work, including the miniseries Sanditon and Bridgerton, which aren’t really our thing. But instead of saying, “It wasn’t very good,” we’re saying, “It’s not for us!” Yes, these miniseries weren’t made for us. We’re not the target audience. Sanditon and Bridgerton were created for the many, many people who like their period dramas with an added touch of spice.
So, in episode 188 of the Stories of an Unschooling Family podcast, It’s Not for Me, Imogen and I are talking about criticism and Jane Austen adaptations. We’re also discussing:
- The value of casual work and low profile jobs
- How our kids can surprise us
- Jobs and passions
- Why we need to promote our work
- The importance of helping each other
- Ageing
- And other things!
Show Notes
Things we mention in this episode
This is Marketing: book by Seth Godin
The Illustrated Man: book by Ray Bradbury
Sanditon: miniseries adapted from Jane Austen’s novel by Andrew Davies
Sanditon: unfinished Jane Austen novel
Pride and Prejudice: 1995 miniseries adapted by Andrew Davies from Jane Austen’s novel
Bridgerton: miniseries
Bridgerton: book by Julia Quinn
My Unschooling Books
Curious Unschoolers: paperback
Radical Unschool Love: paperback
Where You Can Find Me
Unschooling Community
My Stories of an Unschooling Family community
Youtube
Blogs
Stories of an Unschooling Family
Where You Can Find Imogen
Blog
Youtube
Books
Photos
I took these photos when Imogen and I recently visited Sydney. After we’d been to the Apple store, we went to the Dymock’s Bookshop (visible on the lefthand side of the second photo) where I bought a copy of Seth Godin’s book, This is Marketing. We discuss some of the ideas in this book in this week’s podcast.
So, will you listen to this week’s episode? We hope you do!
