Turn Criticism Into Your Friend

By Ettie Rutherford
Pride Contributing Columnist

Criticism is a part of daily living. For anyone to avoid being criticized, they would have had to exist in a very reclusive manner, on another planet.

Since criticism is concrete proof that others are noticing our actions, our words, and our decisions, it is our responsibility to decide whether to use criticism as a positive or a negative force.

Since other people’s opinions can be uplifting, debilitating or downright useless, the dilemma is to use outside input to our own advantage. It is also necessary to not spend an inordinate amount of time worrying about negativism, while seeing the merits in positive feed-back.

To do so, it is important to:
1. Accept the need for other people’s views.
2. View criticism as useful feed-back.
3. Regard some negative views as lessons for re-thinking your plan.
4. Re-visit your expectations, your actions and your communication skills.
5. Invest in upgrading the knowledge, which you need for achieving your goals.
6. Refuse to give negative people, free accommodation in your brain.
7. Do not sweat the small stuff.

In Sisterhood!
Ettie

Award-winning Ettie Rutherford, B.Ed, Dip.Ed, M.Ed, is an educator, life coach, consultant and author of “Why Perch Like A Chick When You Can Soar Like An Eagle?”. An accomplished public speaker, Ettie is the Founder and CEO of Women Are Worthy, which provides step-by-step strategies for women to achieve their goals, with a minimum amount of stress. She can be reached at ettie@womenrworthy.com