HOW TO DEAL WITH CRITICISM

Criticism is never fun, it can be upsetting and may even leave a lasting bitter taste. You can end up feeling miserable, angry, hurt and so on. Criticism can be a gift if its delivered by someone who genuinely has your best interests at heart or it can be a form of bullying on the other hand.


Constructive criticism points out fault and includes practical advise on how they can be corrected. The person receiving the criticism is not attacked directly, and has the opportunity to improve.

"It will be much prettier if you add a bit green"

Destructive criticism points out faults and directly attacks their owner. The aim is to show that the person or object has no worth or validity.  No practical advise or consideration is given.

"This is not pretty at all"

If the feedback is coming from a person who has your best interest in mind, then you have to consider the possibility that there really is some truth. Take a moment to consider the possibility that this person is really on to something.

Work on being less sensitive. If you find yourself getting defensive, crying, and feeling generally upset when someone gives you what was supposed to be helpful feedback, then you have to start thickening your skin. Think about where the message is coming from. Control your emotions, and work on your reputation, because if people think you are sensitive, they will be less likely to tell you the truth. Work on accepting your flaws.

If someone is giving you valid criticism, stop making excuses for why that person is completely wrong, especially if you know that there is some truth to what he or she is saying. Don't get defensive and make excuses. Its only natural that we feel defensive and get the feeling that we can do no wrong, but its important to hear people out. The most important thing you can do is maintain your confidence.

It's not easy to take an honest look at yourself and your weaknesses, but you can only grow if you're willing to try.

If you believe the criticism is destructive and hurtful, then you can think about why the person might have said such a thing to make yourself feel better. Maybe the person was jealous or was just in a bad mood and felt like taking it out on someone. Whatever the reason, remind yourself that it had little to do with who you are.

Learning from criticism allows you to improve. Almost every critique gives you a tool to more effectively create the tomorrow you visualize.

No matter what people are saying about you, you have to be strong, remember who you are, and not let other people influence your self-worth.

We are all perfectly imperfect, and other people may notice that from time to time. We may even notice it in each other.