There’s a difference between being strategic… and being spineless.

Too many people these days confuse silence with smart.
They get scared of criticism, scared of judgement, scared of being cancelled, so they go quiet.
They play it safe.
They outsource their decisions, their voice, and their balls to someone else, usually a lawyer or a PR team.

But here's the brutal truth:
If you're building something that actually matters, someone’s going to hate you.
There’s no version of success where everyone claps for you.

So the question isn’t, “How do I avoid criticism?”
It’s:
“What am I willing to stand for, even when it’s uncomfortable?”

This week, I had a situation that tested that exact question.
Let’s just say: a certain newspaper came sniffing around with their angle already written.
And the advice I got from the so-called “professionals”?
“Don’t respond. Don’t say anything. Keep quiet and it might go away.”

That’s the kind of advice that gets people walked over, ruined, or turned into the vanilla, washed-down versions of themselves they promised they’d never become.

I don’t live like that. And I don’t want you to either.

Here’s what I want you to take from this, whether you’re building a business, a brand, or just trying to live with your head held high:

✅ Don’t let someone else tell your story.
✅ Don’t let fear of criticism mute your message.
✅ Don’t delegate your backbone to someone on a retainer.

There’s a line between being reckless and being real, and too many people today don’t know the difference.

You don’t have to shout. You don’t have to fight every battle.
But you do have to know your mind.
And when it counts? You need to have the balls to speak it- clearly, calmly, and confidently.

🎧 Want the full story?
This week’s No Bollocks episode is a personal one:

I break down exactly what happened, what I learned, and what I’d do differently, if anything.

But more importantly… I talk about how to deal with pressure, criticism, and the risk of speaking up when everyone else would shut up.

Because your voice is your power, but only if you use it.

Final Thought:
In business, in life, in anything real, there will come a moment where you’ll need to choose between protecting your image and protecting your integrity.
One looks better in the short term.
The other helps you sleep at night.

I know which one I choose.
Do you?

Until next time,
Matt “Don’t Mute Me” Haycox

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