How to handle criticism effectively?

People take criticism in two ways. Either they take it as an insult or as a feedback. Criticism can be used as a positive advice to make our self better or it can be looked as rude behavior and can spoil relationships. In this article we will discuss as how to handle criticism.

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

Most of us consider criticism as a negative thing, but it is much more than that. Criticism is not always a bad thing. In fact, if taken in the right spirit, you might actually find it quite beneficial. See below tips to handle criticism effectively.

“The artist doesn’t have time to listen to the critics. The ones who want to be writers read the reviews, the ones who want to write don’t have the time to read reviews.”William Faulkner

- Don’t take it personally – Most of the time what people think about you is just their perception. So what they tell you or criticize you also get influence from it and that might not be true. Sometimes the criticism is not about you, but it might be a way for people to take out their anger and jealousy. Some people are like garbage truck. They are full of waste and garbage inside them, so they try to throw it on others. Now it is up to you whether you want to accept other people’s garbage or not.

“Any fool can criticize, condemn and complain and most fools do.”
Benjamin Franklin

- Differentiate between feedback and insult - It is necessary that you realize what is positive and what is negative for you. Do not look at all criticism as a bad thing. Our loved ones always want our good. Be neutral to advice and do not attach any emotion to it. Analyze it as a third person and see if there is any good for you in that criticism. If it is good, then use it otherwise ignore it.

- Be open minded – We need to understand that nobody is perfect in this world except God. It is good for us that we accept the reality as early as possible. Just like we like to give advice to others, similarly others are going to advice us. Even the most successful and philanthropist get criticized by people. It is also true that criticism helped many people to become successful in their life.

“All good criticism should be judged the way art is. You shouldn't read it the way you read history or science.”
Leslie Fiedler

- Listen carefully and Use it – As mentioned earlier Criticism is not bad always and constructive criticism can help us to make our life better. When a person is criticizing you, listen it carefully and use it for your betterment. You don’t have to react, just acknowledge that you have carefully listened to what other person has told you. Afterwards you can do your research or can ask other people on same. This way you neither accept nor reject the advice.

Criticism may not be acceptable, but it is necessary. It works like pain in the body. It alarms us that something is not right. I agree that it is not always possible to ignore criticism, but try not to react. If you feel upset then change your focus to something good, like your achievements. Use your mind and control your emotion when someone is criticizing you.