Dealing with Criticism
Dealing with criticism positively is an important life skill. There are two types of criticism constructive and destructive – learning to recognize the difference between the two can help you deal with any criticism you may receive.
When challenged by another person, it is common to react in a negative manner. Consider how negative reactions make you look – and more importantly how they make you feel. The way you choose to handle criticism affects all other aspects of your life. It is better to identify ways in which you can benefit from criticism and use it to your advantage to be a stronger and more able person through the criticism.
Constructive and Destructive Criticism
The difference between constructive criticism and destructive criticism is the way in which comments are delivered.
Although both forms are challenging, either to your ideas, character or ability, when someone is giving destructive criticism it can hurt your pride and have negative effects on your self-esteem and confidence. Destructive criticism is often just thoughtlessness by another person, but it can also be deliberately malicious and hurtful. Destructive criticism can, in some cases, lead to anger and/or aggression. Living above that type of destructive talk will set you apart from the critic. Consider the source, and self-doubt or fears they may be experiencing that lead to the negative critique.
Constructive criticism is designed to point out your mistakes, but also show you where and how improvements can be made. Constructive criticism should be viewed as useful feedback that can help you improve yourself rather than put you down. It’s obviously easier to take these types of suggestions since we usually know the positive intent of the giver.
Even if it still hurts a little, constructive criticism is usually easier to accept. In either scenario always try to remember that you can use criticism to your advantage.
Tomorrow I finish up with these ideas in dealing with criticism.
