Tag Archive for criticism

4 Good Reasons To Embrace Criticism

May 6, 2024 John Uncategorized No comments

banner to help absorb criticism

4 Good Reasons To Embrace Criticism

Criticism never feels good. It has the sting of judgement.

As though you’re not good enough no matter how hard you try. Most people’s reaction to criticism is to get defensive, make excuses, or blame someone else.

None of those options are especially constructive.

Criticism at the office

 

It’s up to you how you choose to react to criticism. You can see it as a personal attack, or you can appreciate it, get the positives out of it, and move on.

You may feel skeptical about criticism having any benefits. So GenuLines offers you some excellent reasons to pay attention to it.

 
 
 
 

Use Criticism for Personal Growth

Often, criticism has more than a grain of truth in, even if it’s delivery is a bit harsh. That’s partly why it makes you uncomfortable—deep down it rings true, even if you don’t want to admit it.

Think of criticism as another element in your personal development toolbox. One that offers insight you might otherwise miss.

If nothing else, observing your reaction to criticism can pinpoint your problem areas. Things like triggers, your unconscious reactions, and assumptions.

Develop Emotional Resilience

Criticism usually comes laden with emotions. You feel shamed, upset, and attacked.

Learning to embrace criticism can strengthen your emotional resilience. You sit with your uncomfortable emotions instead of choose a knee-jerk reaction.

Practicing detachment takes you to a mental place. One where you can use your problem-solving skills.

You can listen, assess, analyze, and work out what lessons to take away from the experience.

You’ll be less likely to need other people’s approval to feel good about yourself. Once you see that criticism can be helpful feedback, it stops being a judgment of you as a person.

Improve Relationships

Once you stop reacting (or overreacting) to feedback, you allow more space for openness. You’re more honest, and you’re a better communicator.

People can talk to you about problems without feeling they have to walk on eggshells.

Embracing criticism makes for much better relationships. There are fewer barriers or ‘no go’ areas.

You don’t want to come off as too sensitive, difficult, or defensive. Nor do you want to have your self-worth depend on other people’s good opinion of you.

Boost Self-Confidence

Embracing criticism will free you from the curse of perfectionism. You can accept that making mistakes is human.

You’ll see that it’s actually okay, even helpful. Accept that criticism is part of everyday life and you’ll be more confident, happier, and freed up to be your best you.

JohnK 5-6-2024
chiforyourself.com

stick figure hears about criticismOverheard:  “The final proof of greatness lies in being able to endure criticism without resentment”

~Elbert Hubbard
 

Article photo by Antoni Shkraba: https://www.pexels.com/photo/a-man-and-woman-working-together-5816285/

 

disclaimer for criticism

Create A Vision of Who You Want to Be

November 13, 2023 John Uncategorized No comments

banner for having vision

A vision for your life is like a roadmap. It takes you from point A to point B and beyond.

Today GenuLines gets behind the wheel to show you a few points along the way. .

Create A Vision of Who You Want to Be

If you’re unhappy where you are in life, it could be you are not creating the right vision about yourself.

viewfinder helps visionThink back to recent thoughts you had. Were they negative thoughts or feelings like you’ve hit a roadblock?

Shift your focus to a life that you want or a person that you want to become. If you want to have a life similar to an idol of yours, read about how that idol has become a success and use that as a guideline to help you accomplish something similar.

When you create a positive image within your mind, it will set up neural pathways to help you reach your goals. The more you reinforce this mental image the more pathways you’ll create.

 

If there is information available online that can help you with your vision, use it to your advantage.

Finishing Touches

Determine your vision and then the steps you believe will help you get there. Finally, continue to imagine that vision  on a daily basis.

Your brain will get so used to this vision it will become a subconscious process.

This is not to say you can’t alter your plan or your vision. There may be something you thought you wanted, but as you progress, you find this not to be the case.

There’s nothing wrong with that.

If this happens, create another vision and move on from there. Your brain will form pathways for this new vision.

If your vision is fine but the plan is not getting you where you need to be, don’t be afraid to make changes with it. Plans are only guidelines.

You can change as needed. This can happen when new information comes to light along the way, information which wasn’t available when you got started.

People Gonna Talk

Be prepared for criticism as you create this new vision for yourself. It’s yours and yours alone.

People may not understand what you’re trying to shoot for. Hold to your beliefs and prove them wrong.

Your critics are not the ones who have to live with the vision you make for yourself. You’ll find when you reach your goals those same critics will suddenly be on your side.

They’ll even claim to have been there for you all along.

It’s annoying, but that’s how people behave. It’s not worth the aggravation.

Just move on with your vision and let them think whatever they want.

JohnK 11-13-2023
chiforyourself.com

stick man hears about visionOverheard: “Be brave enough to live the life of your dreams according to your vision and  purpose instead of the expectations and opinions of others”

~ Roy T. Bennett
 

 

 

disclaimer for vision

 

Criticism Is Not Always Meant To Be Negative

July 25, 2022 John Uncategorized No comments

Nothing stings quite like criticism. And that sting can last a long time. Let GenuLines provide some relief, and a way to turn the situation around. 

Criticism Is Not Always Meant To Be Negative

Do you struggle with criticism? Some of it comes from a negative place, but most of the time it’s meant with good intentions.

man giving criticism
 
Unfortunately, even if the person criticizing you is coming from a good place, it can still hurt.
 
Differentiating Between Negative and Positive
There are a few ways to determine whether criticism is coming from a positive or negative place. Is your usual reaction to it negative?
 
If so, the first step is to tame that initial negative reaction.
 
Try to view the criticism with an open mind. Could there be any truth in what the person is saying?
 
Also pay attention to their delivery method. Is there a reason for their feedback, or does it appear that they are nit-picking only to be difficult?
 
Criticism can come from a negative place, but often it’s given to help us improve. Knowing the difference between helpful and negative is important.
 
The Role of Self-Esteem
Your self-esteem will go a long way toward determining your reaction. The more confident you are, the less likely criticism is to affect you.
 
If you have a healthy dose of self-esteem you’ll be able to learn from any feedback you get. You won’t personalize it.
 
Think about your own self-esteem. Could it use some improvement?
 
If so, focus on ways to build it up and you’ll notice this has a direct impact on your ability to handle criticism. You’ll find a lot of awesome self-esteem building tips online.
 
Top Tips to Deal with People Who Criticize Instead of Critique
We’ve all heard criticism when what we needed was an honest critique. So staying calm is important.
 
You may find that your first reaction to criticism is anger. But if you express anger, it isn’t going to help the situation.
 
In fact, it could work in your critic’s favor! Remaining calm helps you know where the criticism is coming from.
 
You can deal with it much better.
 
If the problems are coming from your boss, try and get to the bottom of where the feedback is coming from. Need to know more?
 
Ask to speak to somebody higher up in the company. Sometimes we need an outsider’s view to help us know what’s happening.
 
To Sum Up
Criticism is never nice to deal with. But, it isn’t always meant to be negative.
 
Sometimes it will help you to grow and become a better person. So, don’t be quick to dismiss it when it comes your way.
 
Think about it with an open mind and decide whether there is something you can learn.
 
JohnK 7-25-2022
 
Stick figure hears about criticismOverheard: “Criticism is an indirect form of self-boasting”
                                  ~Emmet Fox
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
disclaimer for criticism
 
 

5 Ways To Better Handle Constructive Criticism

March 22, 2021 John Uncategorized No comments
You don’t like hearing criticism. But sometimes it helps to know you need to improve in some areas. 
 
There are ways for more sensitive types to get this message, and today GenuLines will show you. 

(You can listen to this post by clicking my image below)

 

 

 

____________________

5 Ways To Better Handle Constructive Criticism

The finger of criticismDo you often feel offended when someone tries to give you advice on how to better do something? Or how to handle a certain situation?
 
 
Does it bother you when someone at work points out your need for improvement?
If you do find yourself not being able to stomach a few good words of advice…
 
Accept That You Cannot Receive Constructive Criticism
If you do not accept something, you will never feel the need to change it.
 
Acceptance is the first and most important step toward criticism. Write Down What You Are Receiving Criticism For Why are you receiving criticism? How will writing it down help you?
 
• It shows how making changes can help you on a deeper level
 
• You can go back and see what you need to change if you find yourself reverting back to your old habits
 
• A written record can help you to progress in the long term as a result of fixing the problem when it occurs
 
Listen and Think
Don’t jump to conclusions when you’re receiving constructive criticism. But do LISTEN!
 
By listening, you are forming a good habit. This will make you easier to work with.
 
And it will also improve your communication skills. This is crucial.
 
By “thinking,” you can get a better understanding of your actions. It’ll make the correction process a lot easier and it will make more sense to you.
 
Get Opinions From Others
If you’re in a situation where many people are offering you constructive criticism, it may be time to let go of your ego. Consider others’ advice. It may help you to see what you’ve been doing
 
Open up to the suggestions of others and know that they’re only trying to help you become more productive.
 
Try It!
Putting your constructive criticism into action might surprise you. Often, we get defensive if we don’t agree with something.
 
But the best thing to do is to realize that making adjustments can improve the quality of our efforts.
Trying doesn’t hurt and it may show you a better way of doing something.
 
Learn To Handle Constructive Criticism
It is in your (And everyone else’s) best interest to be receptive to constructive criticism. This is how many of us learn and become the best versions of ourselves.
 
Constructive criticism is an important part of your personal growth.
 
JohnK 3-22-2021
 
Stick figure hears about criticismOverheard: “The trouble with most of us is that we’d rather be ruined by praise than saved by criticism.”
                             ~ Norman Vincent Peale
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Find The Value In Criticism

February 11, 2020 John Uncategorized No comments
Where’s the value in criticism?
 
Value learned from criticism
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
After all, taking criticism can put you in a funk. 
 
Today GenuLines unpacks this thing called criticism and gives you some ways to put it on your side.
 
(click on the image below to listen to the article or scroll down to read)

 
Find The Value In Criticism
The concept of value is kind of unusual when you think about it. Most every person on earth has a different system when it comes to determining what’s important. 
 
In general, the three things that we tend to value the most include our lives, our families and our jobs.  And within each of those aspects, everyone will, again, have a very different value system.  
 
And what is that system based on?  What gives value to something? 
 
banner to help with criticism
 
(continue reading)
Often it’s determined by your upbringing, your experiences, and your education.  This sets you apart from others.
 
And it touches off more than a few debates.
 
But who says those debates and differences have to be bad things?
 
You may meet someone who has the same values as you do, but there are still plenty of possible areas of disagreement.  We all have different experiences and we all bring a different point of view to a relationship.  

Value and Respect

Now let’s say that you have great respect for someone. Each of you has the same values in life.
 
You know their past. You could even say that you respect their opinion. 
 
Now ask yourself if you would respect their criticism?  Would you keep an open mind when it came to their critique of your work? 
 
Is it only because you know them?
 
Why is it that we’ll value the criticism of a friend, but we’re quick to shy away from the criticism of a stranger?  Don’t they hold the same value? 
 
Could be it’s the mere fact that they don’t know us, they don’t know our experiences.  But in reality, you don’t know their experiences or level of expertise either.
 
All too often we seem to equate the word value with respect.  In some way, this seems to justify ignoring the opinions of someone we don’t know.
 
Or it could be that for personal reasons, we don’t care what their opinion is. 
 
Does not knowing someone well mean we have to find no value or worth in their opinion? I mean, in the final analysis, criticism is an opinion.
 
What if we could find value in every opinion, of every criticism we ever received?  Imagine how enriched our lives would be if we could put value to everyone’s opinion.
 
No matter who it’s coming from.   
 
JohnK 2-11-2020
 
stick figure man taking criticismOverheard: “The trouble with most of us is that we’d rather be ruined by praise than saved by criticism.”
                                              ~Norman Vincent Peale
 
 
 
 
 
 

Article image by Gerd Altmann from Pixabay

 
 
 

 

disclaimer about criticism