MY GRANDPA USED TO SAY…⠀
Opinions are like a$$holes – EVERYBODY’s got one.⠀
Ok, so what opinions are helpful criticism and which ones do you completely ignore and dismiss as “haters”?⠀
Learning to REALLY listen to feedback from your core audience & constructive comments from your clients and coaches, while not taking on the negativity of random internet haters is a valuable skill. It’s admittedly, not one I’ve mastered 100%, but I do have some guidelines.
The next time you get a comment that stings, put it through this litmus test:⠀
Is this person in my corner? Do they normally cheer me on and want the best for me?⠀
Is this person generally secure and happy in their own life and with their own circumstances?⠀
Is there anything I can do about the feedback being offered?⠀
If the answer to the above is YES, then take a minute and consider the comment.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀
Perhaps there is some nugget of truth in what is being offered. Even if the tone or delivery is imperfect, is there something there to reflect on? Is there a perspective you haven’t considered? In what way might you reconcile or remedy the situation? People who want what’s best for you generally don’t say things out of spite.⠀
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If the answer is NO, then please get on with your life and don’t obsess.
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It’s easy to let negative comments wrap their gnarly tentacles around your self-worth and smother out all the light, but you know better. We all get sucked in, but professionals DON’T STAY THERE. Deep breath and send the angry person a silent blessing.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀
Delete. Hide. Mute. Unfollow. Move on.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀
Take all feedback with a grain of salt. Your ego will never like criticism, but if the source is a true friend or advocate, it can be an opportunity for growth. If the source is an unhappy, jealous or hyper-critical negative troll—shake it off, momma. You’ve got more important things to focus on.⠀
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How do YOU deal with negativity?