Get Criticism and Develop

Seeking out criticism is not your average, everyday advice. It’s easy to view criticism in a negative light – and there’s often reason for it. You don’t have to look very far in order to find some one would like to tear you down because you’re trying to do something. Tearing down someone else or being negative is always easier than encouraging and building someone up.

Unfortunately, we live in a society that treats being cynical or negative in the same category with being cool or practical. However, being cynical is often just fear in disguise. Cynics try to feel strong by putting themselves in the position of being the judge. It’s easy for the cynic to improperly conclude that things just can’t work out well because the cards are already stacked against them or others. However, every road to success will have difficulties – it’s just a matter of whether you allow them to stop you are not. The cynic looks to blame something, such as “bad circumstances” due to the lack of courage from the possible blow to self-esteem that could be had from failing in a genuine endeavor.

So, back to getting criticism~

No, we don’t need to seek out abuse and tear ourselves apart in an attempt to be better. There are likely more than enough people around you who have plenty of unnecessary negativity they would love to spill into your life. If criticism is taken from the wrong people, it’s likely to do more damage than any good – criticism is a prime opportunity for people to just vent out their built up stress, which often has nothing to do with you.

We need to get criticism, or more positively – feedback, from those we trust, respect, and admire. We need feedback from those who live their lives in accordance with the words that they speak. Anybody can look puffed up with a bunch of words and well-known expressions, but are they actually applying what they say to their lives? If so, then seek out advice, criticism, and feedback from those people.

We often avoid criticism because we’re already harsh critics to ourselves and we don’t want anyone else to bring us farther down. However, our criticism is not always the most accurate in perspective. Having more objective and unbiased feedback helps to keep the perspective honest and accurate. Nobody is perfect, but that doesn’t mean were horrible people or incapable of doing some incredible things.

It’s easy to lose perspective if you keep yourself protected in a box. Not only is feedback important for growth - it keep you further connected and on-track with what’s important to you. Seek out advice from those whom you want to be like so that you can better accomplish your goals. Don’t be afraid to take a couple hits to the ego in order to bring your life to a higher level of living. When the intention behind criticism is positive and leads in the direction of improvement, it’s best to set pride aside for the sake of attaining the standard you’re looking for.

Proverbs 13: 18-19 (NLT) – “If you ignore criticism, you will end in poverty and disgrace; if you accept correction, you will be honored. It is pleasant to see dreams come true, but fools refuse to turn from evil to attain them.”

For further related reading, please check out: Your Talent is Needed.