Yesterday I received a tweet that almost wrecked my day. We’d made a small mistake with an email we sent. And the tweet amounted to: “Looks like Echo is off to a bad start already.” It wrecked my morning and most of my lunch. I was so upset. I felt so stressed, inadequate, and criticized. I was a failure and the whole conference would fail too.
We’re two weeks out from the conference. We haven’t even done anything publicly yet…just a few emails.
Imagine what will happen when the conference actually happens. How can you keep 1,000 people happy enough to avoid any more nasty tweets?
You see, putting together a conference is a lot like throwing a wedding. You are putting a bunch of different people in one room, feeding them, trying to entertain and educate them… They all come from different perspectives and backgrounds. It’s absolutely impossible to make everyone happy. And it seems unhappy people are the most vocal.
So imagine the wave we’re about to experience in two weeks. (It’ll probably amount to four or five criticisms…but I assure you that will feel like a wave.)
I need to prepare myself. The reason that tweet hit me so hard was that it was totally unexpected. How could one lousy email amount to such an abusive tweet?
But I know I’ll get criticism. People will probably even comment on my clothing choice or inability to land a good joke. It’s going to happen. But I need to prepare myself to ignore that criticism. I need to focus on the good. For every one tweet, there are at least one hundred people having a great time. They’re learning great things. They’re excited.
And I can’t let one tweet ruin my day. I can’t let one unhappy camper ruin the whole hike. I’m doing something good.
And guess what. You are too. Don’t let one criticism ruin your day. It’s never worth it.
Thick skin, soft heart! So much of who we are is wrapped up in what we create (much like our Creator). The hardest part is protecting our hearts’ ability to take risk and love fully.
Great reminder, sir.
Thick skin, soft heart! So much of who we are is wrapped up in what we create (much like our Creator). The hardest part is protecting our hearts’ ability to take risk and love fully.
Great reminder, sir.
Meh… if they’re already being hypercritical, then they’ve already decided they’re not going to enjoy the conference. They should do the world a favor and give their ticket to someone planning on enjoying themselves.
Good on you, keeping your chin up.
Meh… if they’re already being hypercritical, then they’ve already decided they’re not going to enjoy the conference. They should do the world a favor and give their ticket to someone planning on enjoying themselves.
Good on you, keeping your chin up.
I’ve gotta say it’s pretty frustrating to hear that from someone who gets to go to Echo when there are people, myself included, who dream of going to echo but either can’t afford it or are too busy to go.
“For every one tweet, there are at least one hundred people having a great time. They’re learning great things. They’re excited.”
I think that statement is worth holding on to. I remember last year when Echo 2012 was about to begin, I was so excited that echo was happening—and I wasn’t even going! I remember following the #echo12 hashtag and reading as many blog posts of breakout notes as I possibly could.
So I think that statement is totally true. They’re going to be a ton of people having a blast at Echo. And some of them won’t even be there.
I’ve gotta say it’s pretty frustrating to hear that from someone who gets to go to Echo when there are people, myself included, who dream of going to echo but either can’t afford it or are too busy to go.
“For every one tweet, there are at least one hundred people having a great time. They’re learning great things. They’re excited.”
I think that statement is worth holding on to. I remember last year when Echo 2012 was about to begin, I was so excited that echo was happening—and I wasn’t even going! I remember following the #echo12 hashtag and reading as many blog posts of breakout notes as I possibly could.
So I think that statement is totally true. They’re going to be a ton of people having a blast at Echo. And some of them won’t even be there.
I speak from experience when I say don’t let the few who feel their ministry is to complain guide your decisions. Follow the Lord in what you do and don’t let those who complain bother you. If they are not criticizing you they would be criticizing someone else.
I speak from experience when I say don’t let the few who feel their ministry is to complain guide your decisions. Follow the Lord in what you do and don’t let those who complain bother you. If they are not criticizing you they would be criticizing someone else.
jonathan…. you are going to be prayed for. and God is going to be honored by your efforts… and creative around the world is about to go up few notches because of the echo conference…. #pitythenaysayers
in other news… that was a good word, and reminder to me. thank you.
jonathan…. you are going to be prayed for. and God is going to be honored by your efforts… and creative around the world is about to go up few notches because of the echo conference…. #pitythenaysayers
in other news… that was a good word, and reminder to me. thank you.
That little phrase dad used to always say comes to mind. “If you stick it up, you’re gonna get shot at.” Well, you are pretty much sticking yourself out there with this, which most people would be too scared to even try. But that’s one thing about you, you’re never afraid to try something. Seems like most places where God is actually moving, endure quite a lot of criticism. But as Jesus said, they’re not really criticizing you, they’re actually criticizing the Father, which I’m pretty sure He doesn’t take very kindly to. The conference is actually another way for Him to minister to His peeps. I’m glad you are preparing yourself. Even so, criticism still hurts for a little while. But if everything is peachy, we kinda stagnate anyway. So I’ll be praying you can take it when it comes and in some twisted way be encouraged by it, that God is actually using you to make a difference, and naturally, there is an enemy who doesn’t like that, and even uses the people of God to try and destroy a good thing. I know it’s gonna be awesome, as everything you put your heart into always is 😀
That little phrase dad used to always say comes to mind. “If you stick it up, you’re gonna get shot at.” Well, you are pretty much sticking yourself out there with this, which most people would be too scared to even try. But that’s one thing about you, you’re never afraid to try something. Seems like most places where God is actually moving, endure quite a lot of criticism. But as Jesus said, they’re not really criticizing you, they’re actually criticizing the Father, which I’m pretty sure He doesn’t take very kindly to. The conference is actually another way for Him to minister to His peeps. I’m glad you are preparing yourself. Even so, criticism still hurts for a little while. But if everything is peachy, we kinda stagnate anyway. So I’ll be praying you can take it when it comes and in some twisted way be encouraged by it, that God is actually using you to make a difference, and naturally, there is an enemy who doesn’t like that, and even uses the people of God to try and destroy a good thing. I know it’s gonna be awesome, as everything you put your heart into always is 😀
The truth is…and this is my first time attending…most of us will be satisfied and even fulfilled with anything more than a break from our routine and some fresh inspiration. I’m betting I’ll get a lot more. But I can tell you this. One year ago I decided this would be the year to attend….I’m bringing my associate….and for the last two days I’ve been unable to sleep. Like a girl getting invited to her first prom. Now that the awkward part is out of the way….I’m sure there will be flaws….but even those will be a welcome change as we come to re-energize and soak in inspiration. Thanks for your hard work.
The truth is…and this is my first time attending…most of us will be satisfied and even fulfilled with anything more than a break from our routine and some fresh inspiration. I’m betting I’ll get a lot more. But I can tell you this. One year ago I decided this would be the year to attend….I’m bringing my associate….and for the last two days I’ve been unable to sleep. Like a girl getting invited to her first prom. Now that the awkward part is out of the way….I’m sure there will be flaws….but even those will be a welcome change as we come to re-energize and soak in inspiration. Thanks for your hard work.