Positive Vibes Only

What is criticism? How can you use criticism to your advantage? Criticism is the expression of disapproval of someone or something based on perceived faults or mistakes. No one likes to be told that they have done something wrong. Many people tend to get defensive or depressed when they are criticized at work. But to grow in any business it is important to overcome the fear of negative feedback. Criticism comes along with the job. It doesn’t necessarily have to be a bad thing. You have the power to do something great with it and be the best version of yourself. The best way to overcome such fears is to take criticism with a pinch of salt. Today, I would like to show you how I used criticism to improve myself.

Keep an open mind

While accepting criticism always remember to check your ego at the door. Hear the other person out completely. Take a deep breath and calm yourself. Break down the feedback to understand it. Be sure to ask questions if you don’t understand them. You must understand it completely to improve yourself.

Learn

Nobody is perfect. Keep that in mind when you are seeking out personal improvement. Take some time to process the information. Ask yourself some important questions. What can you learn from the feedback given to you? What methods can you use to improve personally or professionally? Do not bury your head in the sand and ignore the advice or feedback of your seniors. Your natural instinct is to protect yourself and run away. But keep reminding yourself that this is just an office. It is not a life or death situation.

Don’t take it personally

Always assume that the other person isn’t out to harm you. If you feel that you are being personally attacked, take a step back and ask yourself what’s really going on. Notice where you feel triggered and try to identify the root cause of the situation. Did something happen in the past that is bringing up these negative emotions? If the person is being overly negative and personally attacking you be sure to remove yourself from the situation. 

Say thank you 

After receiving the feedback be gracious and thankful. No matter how tough it may have been to hear it, always remember to thank the person. Surprise them with your positive behavior. This will help you practice gratitude in your daily life. Incorporating mindfulness at work can help you overcome difficult situations easily.

All constructive feedback when taken positively becomes priceless because it gives you a chance to improve and learn. Positive feedback is easier and more fun to work on. Negative criticism can be a fantastic thing as long as we do it right. You can actually end up positively surprising your superiors. The way you handle feedback will help you earn the respect of your colleagues.