WHAT DO YOU DO WITH NEGATIVE
FEEDBACK?
It's natural to want to be liked.
Everyone wants to think they are a pleasing, pleasant person
to be around. However, we can't and won't please everyone all
the time and we shouldn't try to. What then, do we do with negative
feedback?
I recently had the opportunity
to take a 360Reach assessment, which is designed to help me
identify my branding position based on how others see me. There
were questions to establish both my perceived strengths and
weaknesses. So what did I do? Among all the really good things
said, I focused on the very small percentage of the not-so-good.
Of course, don't we always? I allowed them for a moment to take
away from the positive reinforcement I had experienced. Does
this sound familiar?
The "negative" appears
for a reason-to offer you an opportunity to make a choice for
change. You can take it or not. When I looked up the word "negative,"
it shows up as "off-putting, unconstructive, unhelpful,
depressing." Actually, feedback or responses that "rock
your boat" are actually good things. Truly.
The positive way for me to use
this seemingly critical input is to see how true it feels to
me. Then I look at what difference making or not making a change
to accommodate it would make in my values. After that, I examine
what ensuing result a change would create. Then I make a decision.
To do or not to do. To change or not to change. To ignore or
to examine.
Negative feedback can be a reflection
of how you feel about yourself. Examine it to see if in fact
it uncovers areas where you are being critical or judgmental
of yourself. Put it in perspective with the overall scheme of
your life. See how it fits in your goals and intentions. Make
an informed choice to change or not change and be certain the
choice carries you forward and is true to who you are and what
you choose to express.
Look at negativity as seasoning
in your own personal serving of cosmic soup. Too much will ruin
the flavor. Just the right amount will help you adjust in a
manner that adds to the flavor of the total dish.
We get what we focus on, so
use what seems to be "negative" feedback as an opportunity
for adjustment-or not. But do look it over. Weigh it against
the highest good for all. Then make your choice.
Negative feedback is an opportunity
for growth-a true gift! It's yours for the taking.
© 2006 Cara Lumen
