Critics were freaked out by Led Zeppelin III. Why? It didn’t sound like Led Zeppelin II.
But you and I, like Robert Plant, are smart. We know that’s a good thing, right?
Recently reminiscing about the record with Jimmy Page for The Guardian, Plant said “Critiques of Led Zeppelin III don’t matter.”
It’s true, isn’t it? People are always initially critical of what’s new and different, and we always get into trouble trying to please everyone, don’t we?
As Patricia Cabot once said, “You’re not a hundred dollar bill. Not everyone is going to like you.”
Success all depends on how you measure it.
In the interview, Plant gave a pretty good checklist for measuring it:
- Are you doing the right thing?
- Are you with the right people?
- Is everyone doing their best?
Think about a project on which you’re working right now. Can you answer with a hearty “yes” to each of Plant’s questions?
If you answer “no” to any or all of the questions, then get to work fixing the problems. Is it a focus issue? Is it a people issue? Is it an issue of effort?
If you answered “yes” to every question, you can’t fail.
You may not please everyone, but that’s their problem, not yours.
Sleep well tonight.
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