When John Williams first played his ominous two-note “shark theme” score on a piano, Jaws director Steven Spielberg laughed because he thought the composer was joking with him.

But Williams didn’t give up on the idea. He kept encouraging Spielberg to use the haunting piece in the film.

Spielberg finally relented — and later he said that the score was “clearly responsible for half of the success of the movie.”

We often give up on a bold and different idea as soon as it receives the first smirk, eye-roll or objection. But if we’re convinced we have something worthwhile, that’s the time to sink teeth into the idea and stick with it.

“If you absolutely can’t tolerate critics,
then don’t do anything new or interesting.”
Jeff Bezos