Criticism can be painful. It can feel like an attack, and your natural reaction is to be defensive, maybe even to lash out. Most people find criticism hard to deal with but learning how not to take criticism personally can make life a whole lot easier.

1 – See Criticism as an Opportunity

It can be easier not to react emotionally to criticism if you reframe it as feedback. Probably, it wasn’t intended as a personal slight, much less an attack on you. Try to see critiques as an opportunity to learn how to do things better next time. Think of it as a prompt to grow and use it to course correct.

2 – Remember You Only Have Your Perspective

Before you react to a terse email or a grouchy response from your boss, try to remember that you don’t know where they’re coming from. You might be reaping the effect of a bad day, a string of frustrations, or even the reaction to their own bad feedback. Continue reading →

Wise people have learned how to handle criticism. They deal with it like any other feedback, calmly and judiciously. They try and see how they can use it to get ahead and meet their goals. Many people, however; find it hard not to react defensively or angrily. Some people even launch a counterattack and shift the blame to the critic. That behavior doesn’t win you any friends or help you get ahead.

Criticism is a fact of life, and the sooner you learn to handle it positively, the better you can use that feedback for your own success.

1 – Before you React – Stop!

You will feel the reaction in your body before you can get the words out. And that is where you must stop. Don’t do anything, just breathe and take a moment to calm your defenses. Chances are, the other person won’t notice a thing, but it will give you time to compose yourself. Continue reading →