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?