How to take criticism

by Jeffery Moss

Posted: 11 years ago 15 replies

PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT

As part of your daily life, you are likely to be offered 'helpful' advice or criticism. You can choose to examine this advice and see if it's helpful for you. Or, you can choose to let the advice or critique act as a hindrance, maybe even leading to hurt feelings. Worst case scenario, you get discouraged and quit your project.

But, getting hurt feelings over a little criticism will never lead to success. You have to decide if the advice applies to you and your own situation and the credibility of the person offering the critique.

What are some ways that you can take criticism without it leading to hurt feelings? Talk about the personal techniques you use for this.

#criticism

rhodester 11 years ago

Criticism can be a healthy factor in our lives if we do not take it too personally. My main goal in life is to become a better person every day that I live.Today better than yesterday and tomorrow better than today. I realize that I will make mistakes every day but I try to not make the same mistakes over and over again. When I know in my heart that I am doing the very best I can each day, then criticism is just a stepping stone rather than a stumbling block. When you look at it like that then you do not let criticism hold you down but make you aware where you "may" need to improve. It is all about growing and learning to become the "Best" that you can be.
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- Claude Whitacre 11 years ago
  
  I always say "Thank you". Sometimes it's sincere, sometimes not. But I never argue. If I think the point is constructive, I'll ask for more information...but I won't debate.
  
  I also just say "Thank you" when someone invites me to their church, to a wedding I don't want to attend, or anything I don't want to do.
  
  My wife taught me that. And it works. I say "Thank you", and that's the end of it.
  
  You have to take your ego out of getting criticized. Most people can't. You have to remove your "self" from the discussion. Then you can more clearly see if the criticism has merit or not.
  
  Very unusual to be able to do this.
  
  People criticizing almost universally are trying to help you. So I always thank them for the effort, whether I'll use their idea or not.
  
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Odahh 11 years ago

because at this point everyone who is not family . who comes into my perception and says anything to me is there because i want them their and to make me better . the only time i get criticism. is when i have invited it.

also in my world as i have set the rules anyone with the nerve to criticize me . also better have an explanation for how i can do it better .

I don't get much criticism anymore except from family and a few others that where around before i took on this attitude ,, that until now i have not told anyone i have .

and not to sound woo woo and all but even they have ratcheted back the criticizing.

as for family .. my brother had a thing for criticizing what and how much i cooked . now for some reason while my mom has been in the nursing home .. the last month or so or more i have only been making enough for my dad and i ..

if i do something for someone and it get ctriticized for some stupid reason .. like i am not cooking 4 portion for 1 person .

then i stop doing it at all for them
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Rainmanxxx Banned 11 years ago

Just let it go it is the other person's problem.
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HeadStartSEO 11 years ago

Cultivate a mindset of gratitude. Understand that any conscious feedback you receive from others will help you grow. This means, even if someone is attacking you, you can be thankful to them (for helping you develop patience, resilience or other similar emotions).

Likely, they will criticize you even more so be even more thankful. It will feel like you're being a dick, but in remember that it's a better outcome for both of you.
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jay walters 11 years ago

People who don't accept good criticism are people who are too proud to accept good criticism. I believe that criticism builds us and gives us challenges to grow more into a person we wanted to be. It is like saying that a good leader will allow himself to be confronted and at the same time confronts people who are close to them. A leader that doesn't allow others to criticize them is not a leader at all but rather a big dictator.
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- Sweersz 11 years ago
  
  One time I was in a niche that had no controversy; it was so perfectly acceptable and respected by everyone but that eventually made it way too boring.
  
  Criticism is great because you can either learn from it (by evolving your strategies to improve your brand) or you can be provided entertainment from it; it's a win-win!
  
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jazzlovers 11 years ago

sometimes i just ignored. but i will get what the good way
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onlinesolutions1985 11 years ago

Personally, I tend to get a little angry when I’m criticized. But I have also taught myself not to react right away. For example, I’ll let a critical email sit in my inbox for at least an hour before replying. Or I’ll walk away from someone instead of saying something I’ll regret later.
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Black Dragon 11 years ago

If the criticism is constructive and sincere, then I will thank that person from the bottom of my heart! Seriously! There is no such feeling as when you know that someone out there is caring enough for you to help you become better at what you do.

On the other hand if someone is criticizing me just to make them appear bigger or smarter or if they do it to make me feel bad etc. I will either: 1) Slap the bitch over his face or 2) Use my, very finely developed, arguing skills to destroy his/her every argument and make them feel very bad for criticizing me.

Or just laugh as hard as you can and move on with your ******* amazing life and don't give a flying fu*k for the people who are jealous of your successes.
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ViralMediaBoost 11 years ago

I can always take criticism well for my websites i always love to take feedback as long as its not just horrible and something which will make me upset in some way
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- IM Inc 11 years ago
  
  Criticism is definitely hard thing to deal with especially if you have an inflated ego. Keep your ego and self-esteem in check and dealing with criticism will become something more attainable.
  
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jllagu01 11 years ago

With regards to criticisms, I can take it pretty darn well. I guess I have matured up along the years. I'm quite sensitive back them to some feedback bec. there are times when I don't feel good enough but thankfully, I have wisened up and take them in a stride, reassess myself and my work based on those criticisms without opening up any emotions with it.
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gavster23 11 years ago

After a while I have started to recognise negative criticism, which is usually damaging to my self confidence and positive criticism which is often helpful. The same people seem to always give the same brand of advice/criticism.. I avoid/ignore the negatives and seek out the advice of the positives.
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Black Dragon 11 years ago

I watched really useful presentation from Tim Ferriss regarding dealing criticism and haters -

Click here to watch.
Click here for his blog post
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