This is Day 13 of the 21-Day Positivity Challenge held in March 2012, where we work on being positive for 21 days. The challenge is now over but you can do the tasks in your own time. Visit the overview page for all the challenge tasks.

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21DPC Day 13 Question
Today’s positivity question is:
What are 3 Good Things about Receiving Criticisms?

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Most people think of criticisms as a bad thing. Some people are even hesitant whenever I *ask* them to give me feedback about things they don’t like – evident when you read the round-up posts at the end of every challenge.
But why? Criticisms aren’t bad. They are only bad when you think of them as bad. Criticism, when offered constructively, can be the best self-improvement tool you can ever get. In fact, when I read feedback, there are times I skip straight ahead to the criticism portions, because they provide the most revealing and actionable information.
What are 3 good things you can identify about receiving criticisms, over not receiving any criticisms at all?
Check out the following related-content on facing critical people:
Your Task:
- Reflect and answer today’s question(s). Write as few or as many words as needed to fully express yourself.
- Think over the criticisms you received in the past.
- Have you ever received criticisms before? What were they about?
- Did you take to them objectively, or did you see them as a personal attack? Did you feel hurt, insulted, or affected by those criticisms?
- Reviewing your reply for today’s positivity question, how can you now see the criticisms in a different light?
- Identify at least one positive thing about your day. It may be something small or something big – as long as you deem it as something positive, it counts. If you have more than 1 thing to share, then by all means, go for it!
Share Your Answers!
After you are done, share your answers in the comments area.
If you’re doing this at the start of the day, you can post your answer for today’s question first, then work on your positivity task throughout the day, then return at the end of the day to share your results for your positivity task and your end-of-day positive reflection.
Check out other participants’ answers. Pick 1-2 participants’ answers and make a meaningful reply to them. Engage in the discussions. This is a group course, so let’s support each other in these 21 days!
What are 3 Good Things about Receiving Criticisms?
Please find below some good reasons why it is worth to consider criticism a positive thing, at least sometimes.
1. You learn something about yourself, it is an opportunity to grow and improve your skills.
2. You can take what you want – if you listen well, you will learn something and it is up to you if you will apply it or not.
3. The person is honest with you and gives you a real feedback of your job, behaviour, etc.
4. It makes you more conscious of how others perceive you, of the value of your actions. It is a reality check.
5. It makes you stronger; it deepens your self-awareness and makes you think of yourself in a different way.
I recently joined Toastmasters where you learn to speak in front of an audience. I presented my first speech “The Ice Breaker”. I talked about my experiences, jobs, goals, passions, etc. I received lot of feedback, both positive and negative. I felt that constructive criticism is far easier to accept and acknowledge than a purely negative one. My Colleagues from Toastmasters told me about some very specific points to improve. They suggested to experiment with a few behaviours that could possibly enable me to make a greater, positive impact on the audience. It is not always easy to receive feedback but when it is done benevolently, in a gentle and kind way, it is almost a pleasure. You can easily feel other person’s care for your growth.
Wishing you all lots of constructive, honest feedback! ;) :hug:
This is a difficult question for me, as I don’t think I do well with criticism. I do tend to take these personally, but it really depends on the presentation, as I’m fine with “suggestions”.
Three positives about receiving criticism:
1) Reduces my self-absorption
2) Encourages me to see another person’s perspective
3) Great opportunity for self-improvement
My positive of the day is our weather … beautiful and sunny … just picks up your spirits!
What are 3 good things about receiving criticism?
:clap: (1) They offer valid feedback – good or ugly, positive or negative – on one’s behaviours, thoughts, and actions. (2) They offer fresh views and alternative perspectives – one’s motive, intent and agenda. (3) They offer an opportunity to grow, to become a better (far bigger) person, and feel good about oneself.
:( And yes, sadly, I’m susceptible to criticisms *all the time*. Most of the time the criticisms are directed usually at or after what I’ve done, said or thought of. Usually criticisms don’t sit too well with me. I tend to think that they are personal and hurting. I’m usually easily affected by criticisms, even self-criticisms. (**I’m my own biggest self-critic, by the way.) When being criticized, my self-defence mechanisms will be activated. I feel judged. I feel like I can justify my own words, actions and thoughts. I tend to shut out or filter out all comments and feedback. However, now that I’ve given some thought about what criticisms can do for me, I would like to treat all criticisms as an opportunity for me to learn more about myself and my critic’s motivations and driving force. I can’t say that it would be easy. But lately, some of my actions at work have come under harsh criticisms by a colleague. While my actions have been supported by other colleagues, I still feel I could have managed better in the situation.
:dance: The one positive thing about my day is receiving news that my performance for the past year has been graded a B. While it is only but a grade, it makes me good, knowing that my contribution at work has been recognized.
Good things about receiving criticism
1. lets you see the things from other people’s eyes- different perspective
2. proves your action is getting attention, the person giving critcism cares about what you are doing
3. convinces you to work further for improvement
Have you ever received criticisms before? What were they about?
Forgetting my rersponsibilities for home- prioritising work more
Did you take to them objectively, or did you see them as a personal attack? Did you feel hurt, insulted, or affected by those criticisms?
Actually it is hard to accept calmly at the time of criticism, I tend to deny and find reasons, I feel hurt, but thinking afterwards I see that it is right so I took precautions to remember things about home, like reminder at mobile phone, keeping a to do list etc
Reviewing your reply for today’s positivity question, how can you now see the criticisms in a different light?
The criticsm I received made me think about the issue and to find some practical solutions for this, which I can easily apply to other parts of my life, had no intention to insult me..
Positive thing for the day
received very nice reply messages from co workers for my good bye message due to leaving work
The three good things about recieving criticisms is it helps you see what you can’t, It can help you fix things that need to be mended and it can give you something to work toward.
I have definitely received criticism. It has been anything from the way I am living my life to how I write an essay. I can react either objectively or defensively. It all determines what it is about. I am usually always a little hurt and insulted but I usually take it to heart and use it to my advantage. The main thing about me and criticism is to listen and not shut someone out because they speak the hard truth.
One postive thing about today is I got to attend my sister’s AMI!! I was so proud of her.
I know this is going to sound unbelievable, but no…I’ve never really received criticisms…at all. And I need to! I’ve always needed to! Which is just another reason why I’ve felt the need to get some different people in my life – because I don’t think these people would ever give their opinions about ANYTHING. Even in school, I took a writing class a few years ago and was looking forward to the class expressing how I could improve my writing…nope. 3 minutes…nothing but praise. :( I don’t for a minute believe I’m not worthy of criticism, I just think the people in my life are just not capable of expressing it to me. I need criticism. I don’t have any problem voicing my opinion to other people & I’ve always expecting the same…and have never gotten it. I have made really bad choices and have had to deal with the consequences and everyone just sort of makes excuses for me & refuses to discuss it. So, basically, that is yet another issue I have…I have to rely on my own criticisms…and it is often-times very difficult to see one’s self.
Criticism is important so we can be aware of other people’s perspectives, other people’s feelings and opinions. We can’t grow & change if we don’t know anything needs to change. Criticism is a way of helping each other. I am talking about healthy criticism, by the way.
I get very frustrated that I never have had anyone I could turn to for healthy opinions on subjects that are important to me.
I had a really nice evening with the people I love. :)
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