Re:Ask HN: Advice on dealing with criticism
by brandnewlow on Wednesday October 01, 2008 @10:28AM
(#320704)
Your last point is one I've learned the hard way. When I started this project I had a large, enthusiastic group of volunteer writers and contributors trumpeting the effort. That's great. The problem was I was leaning a bit too hard on them for validation of the idea itself. Not great. I've since stepped back a bit and forced myself to keep high level questions and opinions to myself. I talk writing with the writers and that's that.
My advice: fully be sold on your idea before inviting outside opinions. Otherwise outside opinion, especially negative, is just an EXCUSE to drop an idea you were never convinced about yourself.
Talk is cheap. Don't seek validation of your idea from others. Except of course when they are people that matter(and there are limits to that too). ie. VCs, potential cofounders.