You’re such a bad driver. Your cake is so dry. I would have put more pictures in the presentation.
Nobody is perfect. Still, personally and professionally, most people don’t enjoy being criticized.
No one wants their flaws pointed out or to be told what they did wrong. “Criticism doesn’t define you as a person,” says Jason Gallant, PhD, chief psychologist at Florida Center for Behavioral Health in Boca Raton. Criticism’s impact varies depending on the person. “Commenting negatively about someone’s shoes may not hold the same potency from one person to another,” he says. “It depends on if what is being criticized is of value or importance to the person being criticized.”
Here are some ways that you can deal with criticism:
Listen When You’re Ready
Speak when you’re prepared to do so. If your mind is elsewhere, explain that you can’t talk at that moment and offer a specific time to chat when you can give your full attention with a clear and open-minded headspace. This way, you can be armed with a game plan, says Gallant.
Stay Confident And Calm
Your mom doesn’t think green is your color, but you feel it makes your eyes stand out. Don’t let her criticism make you angry. “If we’re criticized about a strongly held viewpoint or characteristic, it may cause distress,” says Gallant. They’ll be less willing to hear you out if you’re defensive.
Take a few breaths and respond calmly, asking them to respect your choices and explaining that you don’t deserve the criticism.
Consider The Source’s Intention
The criticism might be an attempt for someone to elevate themselves as they deal with feelings of inadequacy. The words may be more about them than you, which is why they may be rooting for you to fail. “People with insecurities may feel better about themselves when they criticize others.” For example, says Gallant, if your friend dislikes her hair, she may find temporary pleasure seeing that you’re having a bad hair day.
Ignore Others’ Opinions
If your family wants you to stop using drugs, that’s likely something you need to change. Sometimes, though, people are wrong in their criticism. Not reacting may surprise the critics and make them reconsider their words. If someone is honking, that doesn’t mean you’re a bad driver. You’re just stuck in traffic and can’t move forward. Avoid reacting, says Gallant. “Criticism is a part of social interactions, is unpleasant and is simply an opinion.”