Criticism Can Change Your Life
How Does Criticism Affect you?
Criticism can change your life for better or for worse. It is up to you.
Think about a time when someone criticized something you did and it affected you badly. Maybe it really hurt you or came at a time when you were already feeling down. You probably said to yourself, “Why would someone say that? That’s just mean.” It may have even made you very angry. Did that reaction serve you?
Unfortunately, most people do not realize that how you deal to criticism can either make your life better or make it worse. Your reaction can also affect the lives of those around you.
When you allow criticism to upset you every time you receive it, you will, eventually, become a very angry human being. This not only hurts you, but it hurts the people you love and affects everyone around you.
Negativity breeds more negativity. And who wants to live like that? Or – be around someone like that?
Try this instead – the next time you are criticized, stop – breathe – and remind yourself that from every negative critique a positive change in your life is possible.
Open Your Mind and Learn
If you can keep an open mind, a negative critique has the power to have a positive impact on you in more ways than you could ever imagine.
- It can make you smarter and wiser.
- It can give you perspective.
- It can make you more productive.
- It can make you stronger.
- It can make you more patient.
- It can help you develop more effective inter-personal skills.
- It can help you approach your work differently (and more successfully).
- In general, it has the potential to make you a much happier person.
So, start today and take anything you perceive as negative criticism and turn it into fuel that helps you be a better person.
The most exciting part is that when people are willing to really LISTEN to criticism, it can actually strengthen relationships and uncover powerful new ideas. It even has the potential to change the course of history.
Sometimes criticism can be the key element that ends up opening people’s eyes to see an injustice. It can open people’s eyes to a different way of doing something, and not just in the political world.
How do you think art movements like Impressionism, Surrealism and Modernism came about? How were strides made in terms of new technology? What about Steve Jobs? And Bill Gates? Did they have critics?
Do you think creative, innovative people are surrounded by only positive feedback? Of course not! They all have their share of criticism; but, they continue on their individual paths in spite of the criticism – or sometimes because of it.
They listen, they learn, and they make a difference. So can you!
Criticism can change your life for the better, if you let it open your eyes.
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