Handling Criticism – It’s not about you!
(Note: I’m jazzed that my colleague, Jo Della Penna, is guest blogging here at the GFM. I’m also
jazzed that her advice applies just as much to people criticizing your parenting as it does to your
business. Okay–one more thing I’m jazzed about—she references one of my all-time favorite
books!
-Karen
Handling Criticisim: It’s Not About You!
by Jo Della Penna
Receiving testimonials are wonderful, aren’t they? Someone
takes the time to praise you in writing so others will know how great
it is to work with you. I love getting testimonials! Not only is it a great
stroke to my ego, I shamelessly admit, but it is also a validation that I
continue to add value to my clients and positively impacting their lives.
However, the same is not true when we receive a complaint, right?
Hopefully this is something that occurs very rarely!How do you respond? How
do you handle criticism? A woman approached me after I spoke at a women’s
breakfast recently and asked me how she should respond to a negative letter
she had received. After a brief discussion, it was clear the person writing the
letter was not going to be pleased from the start. First, she complained about
the fees—after the services began. She continuously grumbled at every turn. And
then, she refused to pay part of the bill for added services.
Has something similar ever happen to you? How would you respond?
I shared with her the fact that you cannot have really, really good without
having really, really bad. It is what is referred to as The Law of Polarity.
Everything has its opposite. Up has down, in has out, big has small, etc.
So, you cannot have someone saying great things about you without
someone saying something bad. It is part of growing and evolving.
Miguel don Ruiz mentioned is his book, The Four Agreements, people do
not say or do things TO you, they say or do things FOR them.
That means that when someone praises or criticizes you, don’t take it
personally. It is not about you, it is about them—what they feel or think.
The only thing you are responsible for is to always do your best with what
you have and do what you are meant to do. How others react to what you
give is not in your control.
So, as you continue to go about your business and serving with your gifts
and talents, know that receiving criticism is part of the course.
Stay focused on the value you provide, do the best you can and pay more
attention to the praises than the criticism. It is not about you, so don’t take
it personally!
© 2009-2010 The Business Of You, Inc.
Award-Winning Entrepreneur, Coach, National Speaker and Author, Jo Della Penna publishes The
Business of You E-Zine with over 1,500+ subscribers. If you’re ready to jump-start your
business, make more money, and have more joy and excitement in your life, get your
FREE tips now at www.TheBusinessofYou.com.
