Living With Criticism 1

By Aanu Oyedele

Today, we live in a world where people criticize us for being who we are. They criticize us for being good and even bad. Criticism has sprout up to be the order of the day and most people have now taken it as their job of which they get paid for. If you pick up the dailies, most things you see therein are criticisms. I have come to realize that no matter who you are or what you do, you'll be criticized.
 About 13 months back, my boss brought an idea of a scheme of mini savings for our clients and I was given the responsibility to coordinate it. I was doing my job very moderately and it was going on well and as a matter of fact, I have gotten a reputation for it. At a time, a coworker learnt about the scheme and I thought he was going to commend our idea and effort but instead, he criticized us.   In a scheme where we saw help for our clients, he saw extortion. He utterly criticized the scheme and even told me I wasn't doing the right thing in accordance with my profession. At that point, I got to know that most people who criticize you for something great do not see the big picture the way you can see it.

  When you get criticized for what you do or who you are, know these truths:

1. You draw Attention. Your project or your being is of much value that it starts making people notice you.

2. You aren't Ignored. People notice you and they don't ignore you. Acknowledge that.

3. You are on the right spot. People who get criticized are people who are heading towards success. If you aren't doing or building anything of worth, people will not criticize you.

Criticism can be categorized into two forms:
1. The Good
2. The Bad

Good Criticism

These are forms of criticisms that are meant to gear you up. Most times, you might be heading towards the wrong direction in life and since you are meant to be a success, people will criticize you in order to get you back on the right track of success.
  When you are being criticized by critics in this form, you need not to respond. All you need to do is to assess yourself. Are they trying to pass a message across in order to make your life better? For instance, if you are being criticized for being arrogant, you need to evaluate yourself and see what you can do about it. It is mainly for your own benefit. Accept it with joy and move on and get better in your life's journey.

Afterthought

Good criticism as aforementioned will help you regain your lost altitude and well set you on the right course.