Handling Criticism

"Don't be distracted by criticism. Remember, the only taste of success some people have is when they take a bite out of you." - Zig Ziglar

A friend posted this today. I thought it was a good lesson.  

A story was told, that one day a school teacher wrote on the board the following:

9 x 1 = 7

9 x 2 = 18 

9 x 3 = 27 

9 x 4 = 36 

9 x 5 = 45 

9 x 6 = 54 

9 x 7 = 63 

9 x 8 = 72 

9 x 9 = 81 

9 x 10 = 90 

When she was done, she looked to the students and they were all laughing at her, because of the first equation which was wrong. The teacher responded with the following statement:  I wrote that first one wrong on purpose, because I wanted you to learn something important. This was for you to know how the world out there will treat you. You can see that I wrote the RIGHT things 9 times, but none of you congratulated me for it. But you all laughed and criticized me because of the one wrong thing I did.

So this is the lesson: The world will not always appreciate the good you do a million times, but will focus in on and criticize the one wrong thing you do.  Don't get discouraged. Always rise above all the laughter and the criticism. Stay strong. 

Nobody likes to be criticized. How we handle criticism makes all the difference.  We all make mistakes. To err is human. In some ways we're often afraid of making mistakes. We believe that if we are wrong, or do something wrong, then there must be something wrong with us.  When in reality, we're only human.

If instead we can learn to take criticism in stride, and reflect on how we can use it as a basis for improvement, we can turn it into something positive.  Our ability to hear and truly listen to other people's opinions, even when they may seem negative, can actually improve relationships, performance and abilities. This could make the difference in our personal and professional lives. 

Make today great!.

Curtis

"The final proof of greatness lies in being able to endure criticism without resentment." - Elbert Hubbard