5 Different Ways to Handle Criticism |

5 Different Ways to Handle Criticism

Criticism, like rain, should be gentle enough to nourish a man’s growth without destroying his roots. -Frank A. Clark

Whether you’re a web copywriter, an editor, a janitor or a musician, at some point in your professional career, you’re going to be criticized for the quality (or lack thereof) of the work that you do. Criticism, even to the most seasoned professionals, is still a difficult pill to swallow and one that doesn’t go down easily or sit well with many of us. The following are a few ways that we can learn how to handle criticism a little better:

Don’t Take it Personally- One of the most common mistakes that people make when receiving criticism from others is they take it as a personal affront or attack on their person. While it is true that there are some people who get some joy out of taking others down a peg, you have to realize that there is a difference between criticism that is intended to help you versus criticism that is intended to hurt you.
Let Things Cool Off- Immediately after you’re handed the “Criticism pill” and are trying to choke it down without water, give yourself some time to cool off. You don’t wan to say anything stupid that you’ll regret later simply because you’re upset and defensive.
Assess the Situation- Look at the situation in its entirety. Perhaps the other person who is being critical of your work had valid reasons to do so. In many situations, the feedback is genuine and useful. However, other times it is not. This is where it is important to be able to distinguish between whether or not the criticism stems from feedback or insult. Ask yourself whether or not the person is insulting or bullying you. Take what you can from what they’ve said and learn to ignore the rest.
Learn From It- There is a fine line between being great at taking criticism from other people versus simply allowing people to steamroll over you. Being criticized by others teaches us alot about ourselves. It allows us areas for improvement and also allows us to see others for who they are whether they’re being helpful or are simply bullying you.
All Criticism is Not Created Equal- Destructive criticism not only hurts one’s self esteem, but it can cause damage on a deeper, more pscyhological level, rendering a person less effective in the workplace. This is why it is important (whether you’re the criticizer or the criticizee) to think critically about the situation before you say anything.