I like to be challenged. And that’s why I love receiving feedback. The best way to grow as a person is by challenging your beliefs and expanding your knowledge. This doesn’t just apply to people who write or speak, either everyone benefits from constructive criticism. However, most of us aren't so comfortable when it comes to receiving feedback on our work. Most of us haven’t received consistent positive reinforcement throughout our lives meaning we might have doubts about whether we really are good at something. However, that shouldn’t stop you from doing the thing you love most which are writing! That’s why this article is focused on helping you get more comfortable with critique so that you can do it without feeling self-conscious. A well said

I like criticism. It makes you strong. ~ LeBron James

Ask for what you need when you hear negative feedback.

This might sound like a no-brainer, but you’d be surprised how many people don’t ask for negative feedback. When you don’t take this into account, what other people say can seem like it’s coming from an entirely different perspective than you had before. You should also take this into account from the very first second you start receiving feedback. Yes, feedback is usually most effective the more time it is, but the earlier you start the better. If you’re just starting out, you might want to try asking for feedback no later than the first couple of weeks of classes. So, what do you ask for? You ask for honest, negative feedback. So, what do you ask for? You ask for honest, negative feedback. And why should you do that? Because there are many reasons you might want to seek out negative feedback. You might be trying to improve some aspects of your writing. You might be trying to get feedback on your delivery. You might just be curious to see if you’re on the right track. You might be trying to learn if this is something you want to do with your life. That’s a lot of potential motivation for wanting to get feedback.

Don’t take criticism personally.

We’ve all been there: we receive some negative feedback, and suddenly we’re feeling all “this person hates me!” That’s usually not the case. Criticism is usually just based on what the person heard. It’s like a reflection of their own thoughts. And if someone is just trying to help you get better, that’s a good thing. It’s important to remember that people have a tendency to interpret feedback in ways that make them feel better about themselves. This happens a lot in the workplace, where employees have always had a tendency to interpret negative feedback as a personal attack on their work. So, don’t get caught up in what people say just focus on what they mean.

Find people who will give you honest, constructive critique.

Finding people who will give you honest, constructive critique is probably the single best way to prepare yourself for the inevitable adverse reactions when you start receiving feedback. (And it’s also a great way to find people who are willing to help you get better.) This is important because when you find people who are willing to give you feedback, they usually have your best interest in mind. You don’t have to worry about them being rude or trying to embarrass you in front of other people. They’ll be honest and straightforward, and they’ll usually have your best interest in mind. They’re usually looking to help you learn from your mistakes, and they want to be as helpful as possible.

Stay focussed on the important things to keep in mind.

Finally, remember that none of the advice presented in this article is meant to be a “quick fix” or a “silver bullet” for your negative feelings. It’s going to feel awful, and that’s completely natural and completely normal. Don’t get caught up in the “shoulds” and “oughts” of the world. Don’t worry about what other people think. Don’t get distracted. Remember that the most important thing is to try your best and learn from your mistakes.

Thank You for Reading