How to handle being criticized

How To Take Criticism In Your Stride

If you find it hard to handle criticism in any form, hypnosis for confidence can help you change the way you think about giving and receiving constructive feedback.

Is your fear of criticism making you avoid reaching for your goals? Maybe the way you feel about yourself is clouding your judgment so you aren’t able to tell the difference between constructive feedback and a personal attack.

Not all criticism is equal and it’s important to be able to take on board feedback that can potentially help us grow and learn.

Constructive Feedback Is Valuable

Constructive feedback is an essential part of life that enables you to accept advice from people who can help you become more skilful at your job or be a better person.

When you receive feedback of this kind it can be tempting to become defensive or shut down because the advice you are receiving is too painful to hear.

When this happens your low self-confidence and fear of rejection are so strong that they hinder your ability for sound and rational evaluation. This problem can be overcome with the help of a good hypnotherapist.

Separate The Person From The Object

How to work out whether or not you are receiving constructive feedback

When you are receiving feedback from your boss, co-worker or friend that is meant to help you in some way, why does it feel like a personal attack? It’s because a part of your subconscious mind is so afraid of rejection that it interprets any form of feedback as ‘wrong’.

Generally when you’re receiving constructive feedback it is a reflection on your work, your performance or your behaviour – not on you as a person.

Of course there will also be times when another person is judging you unfairly or making a personal attack. To differentiate between the two, ask yourself:

  • Is this advice or feedback true?
  • Is it fair?
  • Will this feedback help me to improve in my job or as a person?
  • Does the person offering the feedback have my best interests at heart?

If you are able to answer yes to these questions then it’s safe to say you are receiving constructive criticism. Pay attention and learn!

Be Open To Feedback

If you find it hard to accept feedback of any kind, try to get in touch with that young part of you that is terrified of rejection.

Realise that the feelings of fear, indignation or shame you feel are unnecessary in most situations. It is safe for you to accept constructive feedback that will help you. And remember:

  • Constructive feedback is not rejection;
  • Constructive feedback is valuable information that will help you improve

How To Recognise Unnecessary Criticism

Generally when you are receiving constructive feedback it will be focused on work or your behaviour, but not on you or your personality.

If a person is labelling you or calling you names, this is a personal attack and you don’t have to take it on board. Walk away, hold your head high and don’t give the other person the satisfaction of knowing they have upset you. The fact is their words have nothing at all to do with you.

Hypnosis can help you gain the confidence to recognise and accept constructive criticism with dignity and respect. Visit contact me any time via my contact page and call me to find out more.

Have you felt hurt or rejected by criticism? If so I’d love to hear about your experience and how you coped. Please feel free to share your story in the comments below: