Constructive Criticism Is Great, but Are They Qualified to Give It to You?
Margaret Smith once said, “Every human being is entitled to courtesy and consideration. Constructive criticism is not only to be expected but sought.” In other words, constructive criticism should not only exist, but it is necessary for one to seek it. Wendy Starland said, “Taking constructive criticism from others is required to get to the next level.” In other words, you should use this form of criticism so that you can build something greater than what you already have in front of you. Price said, “I like constructive criticism from smart people.” In other words, it is evident that Prince was cautious about who he took criticism from.
Overall, constructive criticism is extremely helpful if you use it right. When one is criticizing you and it is constructive, you can learn so much. You have information in front of you that you can now use in order to be better than who you were yesterday or what you created yesterday. After all, life is about growing as a person and not about being in competition with another. If you handle constructive criticism appropriately, you can improve by great amount. It is an opportunity to help both you and your work grow. If you are open to constructive criticism, it will take you to higher levels.
However, you must recognize when someone is giving you constructive criticism and when someone isn’t. There are people out there who will attempt to criticize you or your work just because it is you. Some don’t want to help you. Some are just upset that it is you who is actually working hard and achieving your goals. Some might not even take the time to learn about your work, but will criticize you because of an internal issue that they have. It is critical that you understand when advice or criticism is not constructive because one is helpful while the other should be completely disregarded. You shouldn’t give any of your attention to this kind of negativity.
6 Questions to Ask Yourself in Order to Figure out If the Criticism Is Constructive or Not
1. Did they look at the surface or did they look deeper?
This question is extremely important because you need to know whether or not they have spent the appropriate time with your work in order to be able to criticize it. Did they test it out? Did they buy the particular product? Did they hear the song? Did they actually listen to it? Did they read it? Whatever the case may be, you need to figure out if they even looked past the surface. It is easy to judge something if you just spent a few seconds with it or if you spent no time with it at all.
2. Do they have the credentials and credibility to give you criticism?
Make sure that whoever is giving you constructive criticism actually has the credentials and credibility to do so. Do not take constructive criticism from everybody. Check their background first. Some people don’t even have the appropriate tools to be able to give you constructive criticism.
3. Is their criticism coming from a good place?
It is mandatory to figure out if the person who is giving you constructive criticism is actually being genuine about it. Do they want to see you and your work improve or do they just bring negativity to the table? If you feel like it is negative energy, then you shouldn’t pay any mind to their criticism.
4. Are they projecting their fears onto you?
Some people didn’t even try to do what you did because they were scared of failing. As a result, they will criticize your work or tell you that you can’t do something because they didn’t have the courage to. That’s okay. Wish them well and keep going.
5. Are they projecting their jealousy onto you?
Sometimes people are very unhappy with their own lives. Sometimes people wish that they were in your position. They don’t like the fact that you’re confident in who you are and in your work. Therefore, they will attempt to criticize you in hopes that you will feel insecure or in hopes that they will change other people’s opinions of you. Don’t listen. Block it out and keep going.
6. Are they criticizing you because they want you to do better or because they are just attempting to bully you?
Barack Obama said, “The cynics may be the loudest voices, but I promise you, they will accomplish the least.” When certain people spend so much time just constantly projecting their negativity onto others, they’re losing the valuable time that they can use to actually spend on themselves. Some people can’t stand to see you doing good because they are unhappy with their own life and they hate it at the moment. Anyone with enough love inside of them, wouldn’t try to bully others. They wouldn’t try to bring someone else down. Even if it is not possible to bring someone down, the fact that they are willing to try says a lot about them. My advice is to completely ignore them and pray that they heal. Only take constructive criticism. It is the only kind of criticism that you need.
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