Quote · The Mel Robbins Podcast
How to Get More Out of Life: Make More Money & Build Something That Matters with Seth Godin
Where this was said
Processing Criticism and Feedback Without Hiding
At 52:52 · chapter starts 51:45
Mel asks how business owners can process criticism without either collapsing under it or dismissing it altogether. Seth's answer reframes the entire relationship between creator and critic: when someone says they don't like your product, they're not commenting on your worth — they're describing a mismatch between your offering and their needs. The correct response is not defensiveness, and it's not endless accommodation. It's empathy: understanding that they have their truth, offering a full refund without grudge, and moving on. Seth describes his own practice in digital products: when someone expresses dissatisfaction, he offers everything back immediately, without argument, because the relationship was built on trust and the refund is how he honors that trust. The phrase 'it's not for you' is a complete and professional sentence.
A creator racked up 40 million views on a TikTok video and sold exactly 4 copies of his book. This is not a surprise. Entertaining people on TikTok and solving their problem with a $20 book are completely different transactions. Stop measuring the wrong thing.
