What It Takes to Tackle Strong Criticism
By: Nisar Fatima
Tags: Self Improvement, Life, Strategy, Deal, Criticism

Criticism is like a knife, it pierces deep, bleeds and hurts to the core.

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Criticism is judging or interpreting the merits and faults of someone or something. It is purely the opinion of another person of you.

But I promise you one thing, at the end of this piece you will always find me with you. Whenever someone criticizes you my words will echo and give you the strength to deal with it strongly.

Not even a single person on the face of the earth is spared from criticism. However good you are, it doesn't matter. You will be criticized both on a personal and professional level.

There is only one way to avoid criticism do nothing, say nothing and be nothing.

— Aristotle

You will be criticized for everything by the people very close to you and even who do not know you well. Family members, so-called friends, colleagues and even the unknown people.

Change in perspective can help you deal with any sort of criticism. It is not you or what you are doing, it's totally about the opinion or belief of other people. You take criticism defensively and react to it instantly. Everyone does that and I did that in the past.

Sometimes we encourage people to criticize us without even knowing about it. For instance, we ask them

How was my presentation?

How do I look in this outfit?

Did I overreact on that issue?

What did so and so person say about me?

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We give chance to people to judge us, if they criticize us then we feel otherwise and bad. Even though sometimes the feedback might be genuine.

Take criticism seriously, but not personally. If there is truth or merit in the criticism, try to learn from it. Otherwise, let it roll right off you.

— Hillary Clinton

Criticism is of two types, constructive and destructive. Find out the difference and use it for your growth if it is constructive criticism. Some people may genuinely give you tips for improving.

On the other hand, destructive criticism will sabotage your well being and growth. Do not let people use it against you. Make them understand that you would give it back to them, but in a sensible way.

Nowadays you get criticized both online and offline and there is no limit to this. How you take it shapes you as a person further in life. Do what you have to do, not heeding to the critic. If you do this they become powerless.

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Don't let the impudent comments on social media let you down or doubt your self-worth.

Your true power lies in not escalating it and turning it into your favour.

Here are a few ways in which you can deal with criticism and rise above it.

How to tackle criticism

1. It is a bubble

Take criticism as a bubble, it is short-lived. Play with it. Let it not make a home in you.

Do not thrash back at the person who criticizes you. Instead, give it a thought. They may not even remember it after a couple of hours.

Will you take someone's waste and put it in your home? No, right? Then why do you carry someone else's crap to your home or wherever you go? Leave it in the garbage bin then and there.

You should never encourage criticism, as it would lower your self-esteem. This would further create many issues in your life, like anxiety and depression. You should know where to draw the line.

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2. Shake it off

Don't let criticism ruin your reputation and life by reacting to it when not required. You should shake it off. You are better off without reacting to it. When people criticize you, they would be eager to see your reaction. They want to pull you down.

Remember that criticism is also part of the journey of our life. You can't avoid it but take some steps and manage it efficiently, so that it does not become a reason for pain and hindrance in your growth.

3. They want to be like you

People criticize you because they want to be like you, they try for it. Once they fail to try to be like you, they get envied by your persona and start criticizing you. They use it as a weapon against you, to disturb your peace of mind.

Do not fall prey to destructive criticism. How you excel in life depends totally on your attitude. Beware of people who criticize you, finding an opportunity they suck the growth and happiness from your life. Stop entertaining such people.

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4. That which hurts you makes you strong

The hurtful things have helped me as stepping stones. Every time people criticized me, I took it positively. Once you learn to take things in your stride, you do not get affected by the negative means.

When someone criticizes you, the first thing we do is react without thinking for a second. Instead, sit down, calm yourself, give it a thought and then react. This way you could save yourself from later embarrassment.

Criticism will only help you to excel in life if you handle it properly. It means you are ahead of people and they are noticing you. All the hurts will only help you to get stronger each time you get criticized.

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5. Let it build you

People conveniently tell you how you will not be able to do a particular thing. They decide how you are not capable of doing things. There was a time when people told me I would not be a good sales professional. They criticized me so much that I decided to quit.

What do you think, did I quit? No, I did not. I completed more than a decade in the same profession. Now I even give sales training to people. If you think you are good at something do it. Don't let criticism discourage you. You are what you think of yourself not what others think of you.

Avoid such people and stay in the company of people who help you grow, build and feel good about yourself.

6. No one can make you feel unwanted without your consent

Handle critics with the utmost care, because they can ruin your credibility in minutes if you react to them without giving a thought about what they have criticised. Do not go to their level or hit below the belt.

Let your work speak for you. Always remember nothing is going to harm you as much as your thoughts, not even a sabotaging criticism. Don't let criticism dishearten you at any point. The person who criticizes you is powerless without your reaction.

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7.Dont be defensive

You should not react in a defensive way to criticism. It would add up to your pain and frustration. Listen to it keenly, if it's worth spending your time on it explaining or if it's useful for you to listen and implement. If it's not worth it, then take a leave from the place politely.

People who are jealous of you, get threatened by your work and success, could do nothing but get into last resort to satisfy their ego and that is criticism.

Here's the mantra if someone criticizes you continuously

Sometimes the critics are so bad that they keep on criticizing. In such situations keeping mum or going to their level will not help you.

You have to deal with them in a way that they will not dare to bother you again. One simple thing you could do is change the conversation towards positive, make them understand that they are so good and find time to help you in their busy schedule. Making them understand, this will help them change their perspective towards you.

I have done this and it helped me a lot. Two simple steps

1. Make them feel they are good humans.

2. Take the conversation towards positive.

Harsh Criticism challenges our patience, self-confidence, values and reputation. So do not fall prey to the trap of defamation. Rise above it maturely and take it to the task.

Life is a one-way route, you cannot go back. Do not carry the burden of bad experiences and criticism. They will increase your pain in a forward journey. Lighter the baggage of burden happier the journey of life.

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The most beautiful souls and minds on the earth have been criticized. The most elegant and amazing creations of God have been criticized. And the bizarre thing is that people even criticize the creator. Do I need to say anything else after this?

Next time if someone criticizes you, I hope now you know how to deal with it.