Five Questions To Help You Handle Criticism

One of the major reasons that can hold you back from going after your dreams is the fear of criticism. You devote so much time and effort into working hard to achieve your dreams that any negative comments from someone else are sure to be upsetting.

You are already dealing with the voice in your head speaking to your internal fears.  That little voice encourages you to play it safe and remain in your comfort zone.  Then add on top of that other people criticizing you.  No wonder it’s difficult to achieve your goals and dreams.

You may be wondering how you get over this fear of being criticized.  Here are five questions to help you handle criticism.

1. Is It Constructive?

The first question is all about looking at the person giving you criticism and deciding if it’s well founded.  Identify if it is constructive criticism where you can take the information and use it to your advantage in order to improve.  Or perhaps it is simply a negative remark to keep you from going after your dreams. If it’s negative criticism ignore it and continue working towards your goal.

2. Are They Jealous?

Usually criticism comes from someone who has their own issues and has decided to take it out on you. You become the easy target because they see you going after your dreams.  It’s almost as if they are jealous of what you’re doing.  It’s easier for them to criticize you than to go after their own dreams.  Question their motive if you believe they are acting out of jealously.

3. Do They Fear Criticism?

It is so important that you recognize when criticism stems from someone else’s issue.  Deep down critics usually have their own fears of criticism and being judged.  Think about it this way, you are so afraid to be criticized by others and yet they are just as afraid to be criticized as you are.  Do not let critics keep you from going after your dreams.  Especially those who are just as afraid of criticism as you.

You have big goals and dreams for your future.  Do not let anyone hold you back or tell you otherwise.  People who criticize aren’t in the arena playing the game.  You are.

This quote from Theodore Roosevelt from the man in the arena speech says it all.

“It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better.  The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat.”

Critics aren’t in the arena. They are on the sidelines voicing their opinions on how you could do better.  Yet, they have no idea how hard it is.  You are the one fighting for your hopes and dreams of the future.  The critics aren’t even in the game.  Ignore their shouts.  The real credit belongs to you.  The actual player in the arena.

4. Is This True?

Sometimes you have to take look within yourself and ask the question is what they are saying really true? On some level do you believe the critics are right?  This is when self doubt may start to kick in and you begin to think maybe you shouldn’t be going after your dreams.  You figure maybe they are right.  You’re not smart, worthy, or enough to achieve such a goal.  But, that’s just not true.  Do not let the critics win.

5. Do You Believe?

The only way to silence the critics is to have unwavering belief.  Believe that you are capable of doing anything you set your mind to.  Put blinders on and tune out the criticism.  Believe that your success is inevitable.  No one else will fight harder than you to make your goals and dreams come true.

Use these five questions to help you handle criticism.  Start by assessing where the criticism is coming from and if it’s constructive.  It may not be a reliable source.  The critic may just be jealous of what you’re working on. Remember, critics are not in the arena. They are playing it safe from their comfort zone.  Often critics are just as afraid of criticism as you are.  Quiet the critics telling you all the reasons why you can’t achieve your dreams.  Believe without a doubt that you can make anything happen.  You can do this.  Do not let anyone else tell you otherwise.