How To Take Criticism

Maybe it’s been a parent chewing you out or a volunteer giving you critiques you didn’t want to hear, we’ve all faced criticism that leaves us feeling empty.

While you might want to fight back the best thing you can do is stay positive.  Stay positive and develop a plan that will help you diffuse the situation.  5 Steps that have helped me stay positive are:

STEP 1: KILL IT WITH KINDNESS

Whenever someone approaches you with criticism the best thing to do is react with kindness.  Affirm that you’ve heard them and thank them for sharing.

It’s especially important to stay positive when there is emotion coming your way.  Remember they are a child of God and responding to them with love will diffuse the tension.

STEP 2: HAVE AN OUTLET

Sometimes you need to process the situation before you react in any way.  Have an outlet that’s positive and healthy.  It might be going for a run, writing in a journal or cooking a meal.

Having an outlet allows you to take something negative and put it towards a positive outcome.  Sometimes we have to engage in a different process to move through another one.

STEP 3: PROCESS WITH OTHERS

It’s always good to bounce your experiences off of others.  Whether it’s a fellow youth worker, coworker, volunteer or ministry coach you need accountability.

You need someone who is going to give you insight, truth, hope and healing.  You need someone who is going to help you separate emotions and look at the situation objectively.

The most important part of processing the situation with others is reminding yourself that you aren’t alone.  To stay positive you need others to encourage and lift you up.

STEP 4: LOOK TO LEARN

Every time you face criticism there is something to takeaway.  It might seem like a stretch but you can learn from every situation.  You just need to pause and review.

Again, process with others and then record what occurs.  Keep asking the question, “Is there anything I can learn?”  Look at your emotions, how people reacted and what you can do to improve.  By making it a learning experience you can make it a growth opportunity.

STEP 5: TOUCH BASE WITH GOD

The only person that will give you peace in a situation of conflict is God.  Make sure you are engaging with Him on a regular basis.  Make it a priority by scheduling prayer into your daily routine.  Knowing He is near is what you need to move through any situation.

Criticism will come.  You are going to have days when you wish you could hide.  Don’t run away, lean into the situation by turning something negative into a positive.