How To Handle Criticism

There's no denying it: criticism can (and often does) hurt.
But no matter what you do in life, you expose yourself to
the possibility of being judged unfavorably.

Even if you try to remain in the background, avoiding all
confrontation, you still must make decisions -- minor ones,
maybe, like when to eat and what you wear. And, rest
assured, not everyone will agree with your choices.

So, since you are going to receive criticism no matter what,
let's take a closer look at how you can best handle (and
even benefit from) it!The next time you are criticized, consider the following
points:

- Accept that people have diverse backgrounds, preferences and
interests. You won't please everyone, so don't even try.

- Don't take it personally. Sure, this is easier said than
done. However, the critic generally isn't trying to prove
that you have no value as a person. Rather, they're
revealing their dislike of your idea or your performance.
Let them have their opinions. In the end, you decide whether
or not to let another person's remarks bother you.

- Strive to learn from their words. Find some truth in
their statements -- even if only a shred. There is usually
some accuracy in critical comments.
It's your job to seek out this kernel
of truth and benefit from it!

- Don't be defensive. Resist the temptation to argue with
the critic. While it's only natural to try to prove that you
are "right" and that the other person is "wrong," this
generally gets you nowhere.

But, most importantly, stay true to your own values and
convictions. If others don't approve, so what!