I like praise. Not too much though.
I like criticism too. If the person offering the criticism is nice, friendly, pleasant, and constructive.
If however the person offers their viewpoint from a sarcastic, low energy, nasty place, well, I hate criticism.
Peeves me off, in a big way. But thank goodness I have learned how to deal with criticism.
The Uncomfortable Blogging Challenge
The biggest challenge you will face is learning how to deal and grow from criticism.
Dealing with criticism is one thing. Learning how to benefit from criticism is quite another story.
Growing from criticism:
- puts money in your pocket quickly
- toughens you up
- builds your self confidence
- improves your posture
Let me tell you a little story.
Mr. Guest Post, aka, Mr. All Over the Place, aka, Mr. 10 to 15 posts a day, feared criticism SO much that he used to publish ONE post daily. Sometimes one post for the entire week.
I could write, alright, but I feared blogging because I feared criticism. I despised people who cut me down, both on my blog, and any time I wrote guest posts.
When I churned out guest posts I ignored the comments because I feared someone criticizing me.
Of course this fear was my fault. But I know, for sure, that many bloggers are terrified of this uncomfortable blogging challenge.
The masses are content to publish one post on their little old blog, once a day, or maybe once a week, because posting more frequently and guest posting and writing, and creating would open them up to increased criticism.
Most people will offer you constructive, helpful, supportive and nurturing feedback but a few sarcastic, critical, miserable people can ruin your day, or week, if you allow these leeches into your mind.
The challenge lies in creating new, fresh, interest content, on a daily basis, while dealing with mean-spirited critics who try to knock you down with their unhappy, miserable projections….aka, nasty criticism.
How to Overcome the Challenge
ALL ABOUT THEM NOTHING TO DO WITH ME!
Repeat that to yourself after receiving a nasty barb from an unhappy person. Because ALL criticism is simply the projection of an individual.
Look at me, Mr. Happy, Mr. Creative, Mr. Travel Around the World for 2 Years and counting guy.
I can say, from my heart, that I offer nasty, spiteful, hurtful criticisms, a few times…each year. Because I am human and get really angry a few times…each year 😉
I practice looking for the good in all, and in any situations, and because of that, I am happy, and free, and successful.
When people are nasty to me – and “nasty” means offering hurtful works, NOT offering a different viewpoint – I get out of their way because you cannot stop a charging bull, you can only avoid its horns.
Using the above mantra:
- promotes your peace of mind
- helps you release nasty, unhappy people so you can attract happy people
- helps you effectively process good feedback
- saves you year's worth of worrying
As a guy who hated criticism I can honestly tell you that the “all about them nothing to do with me” mantra has accelerated my success.
I run multiple prospering online business ventures because I learned how to deal with this fear.
I no longer run from criticism, or fight the individual offering the low energy words. I thank them, if they are worth a second of my time, and move on.
Or I simply ignore these folks and they fade away into oblivion.
The Growing Part
Good criticism is feedback. Listen to the suggestions. Use the suggestions to grow.
As for negative feedback learn how to deflect it, or ignore it, and you will grow in confidence, and your belief system will solidify, and you will rock it out online.
Ignoring negativity makes you a magnet to positive bloggers and positive people in general.
Good deal, right?
The One Exception
When you are new to receiving new viewpoints or different forms of feedback you might label all criticisms as being nasty, or hurtful.
This is FAR from the truth; you are learning how to see things from a different perspective.
Toughen up that skin; most people are nice, and kind, and just want to share their take. Accept this feedback – which was never nasty criticism – and use the words to grow from.
How do you embrace and use blogging criticism?
What tips can you add?
Hy Ryan,
Well, one of my favourite topics you have written upon. Criticism in one way leaves a good impact as you have mentioned because you come to know that where are the loopholes. But, but, but there are people whose basic aim especially in this blogging world as well as general world have a habit to find that particular 1 mistake but ignores or feels their ego getting hurt to praise the rest of those 99 things. So down the line it depends completely on how much you know the person criticizing as well as the intention of the same.
Thanks a lot for putting up such a superb read for us. 😉
Regards
Charmie
Great note Charmie. Gauge the intention of the criticizing party to get to the truth. You might just be freed by their insight. Thanks!
Hello Ryan Biddulph,
If we see a Blogger on technical mind to A Blog is really Challenge because creating a blog is easy but getting on top to Blog is really hard work, Well let’s come to the this post. I really appreciate your mind Ryan Biddulph, you share a real most challenging role in Blogging “learning how to deal and grow from criticism” I do appreciate your mind as well as thinking too.
Hey thanks much for the kind comment Mansi!
hi Ryan
I feel you… and I agree that positive criticism is welcomed, and bloggers/writers should accept it and learn from it… this doesn’t mean you should let negative feedback pull you down, or spin your head and make you lose focus….
I take all criticism as stones I use to grow my house… so all feedback is helpful, excepting death threats or profanity words… which I think some people do get sometimes, particularly when you’re all over the web, or popular in your niche…
Does it help?
John that is a dead on analogy. Thanks dude!
Hi Ryan
Informative article and your Bio is cool , i liked it. Hope you are having good time in travelling places like Bali.
Cheers
Thanks much Navneet big trip coming up!
Great article you (Ryan Biddulph) created about challenging with blogs. Builds your self confidence is the most important for take a blogging challenge. Overall nice and complete post. Thanks.
Appreciate it Reaz!
Hi Ryan, and good to see you on Ileane’s blog 🙂
Ah…lovely topic of discussion! I really don’t think most people take criticism all that well, or perhaps they don’t know how to take it well enough. Yes, sometimes their egos are hurt, while at other times it’s just giving them a ‘not a good feeling’.
But as bloggers, we need to take criticism in our stride and accept it with grace. I agree it might come as a little shock or you might wonder as to why so and so is not agreeing with your view point, but that’s because each one has their views and suggestions. More so, what you write isn’t something they would compeltely agree with – some would, and some wouldn’t.
It’s best to deal with such criticism – if they are on your blog is by replying to them to the best of your abilities, and don’t forget to thank such people for showing you a different view point that also helps you to grow further as you tend to think on that direction too, something you didn’t earlier.
Thanks for sharing. Have a nice week ahead, both of you 🙂
Thanking is so key Harleena, it moves our mind from an angry or embarrassed place to a grateful space. Thanks!
Hi Mr All Over The Places,
Truly that title perfectly fits you. 🙂
Lucky me, I’ve not got as severe criticisms to knock me down. You are true to say that most people are good and kind. They show where the weakness lies and help to grow you into a better blogger.
I also liked Gibb’s statement “I take all criticism as stones I use to grow my house” – how creative thininking!
Agreed fully Suresh, much appreciated buddy!
For me till you are not Criticised you have’nt achieved any thing ! Cause success comes with Criticism.
Rounak that is a spot on point dude. Thanks!
I think the more a persons blog grow the more they have to deal with this.To be honest I am horrible when it comes to deal with criticism even in my personal life.So I think I will try to use some of these tips at home as well as the blog.I think the most important thing is to take what people say with a grain of salt and use to your advantage
I hear you Marty because I am improving in this department too. Thanks!
hi Ryan
nice article in blogging area that are many challenges and every blogger every time get ready for challenges. very informative post thanks for sharing.
My pleasure Hiren thank you!
Very great post, everyone gotta work on that and once you’ve got that, publish one post per week or later, it doesn’t matter as long as the post will help readers get what they want. Besides, publish too many posts but let say that they are great post but readers will get bored of too many new great stuff.
Generally speaking fear is a major holdback in life, including blogging. I also used to overthink when writing my posts but I have come to the conclusion that being honest with your and with the readers is the best policy. Fear constrain creativity and this affects the blog performance on the long run.
I think that blogging is awkward for me because I don’t like posting things about me on the internet. I guess I am just old fashioned!
I think , criticism is good ..When people criticizes you or any of your product/services ..It certainly helps you to get attention …We can consider the examples of the film actors , they always accept the remarks of the critics -whether the remarks are good or bad ..They’ll never lash out at the critic for bad remarks as they know the critic is helping the actor to gain public attention 😉
=Pramod
I think criticism is a motivation , first it shows you where you have a mistake and second it motivates you to write better the next time. Whether you consider criticism to be positive or negative is up to you.
Constructive criticism often help us to improve a lot. It all depends on our perception as how we decode the criticisms that are pointed towards us. Take up those that improve us and avoid others.
Yeah, You are right about the new blogging challenges. The first one would be the great competition and we must work hard to overcome and stand alone from the crowd.
thanks
Hi Ryan
Informative article and your Bio is cool , i liked it. Hope you are having good time in travelling places like Bali.very nice article