P and C go together
Praise and Criticism go together, like sweet and sour, if you believe in one, then you believe in the other.
The trouble is we like praise, even if we feel like we don’t deserve it.
Ironically we can feel identically about Criticism, without the “like” part of course ☺: we tend to believe we don’t deserve it either.
However Praise and Criticism are two sides of the same coin.
Since they can both help us, we should expect and embrace both.
Praise is the personal coach that helps us to improve or keep doing whatever earned that praise; as in doing four more planks !
Criticism is the personal coach that helps to improve our “form” so we improve rather than hurt ourselves.
But neither Praise or Criticism should “stick” for long.
Praise is sweet, but meant to be savoured, and enjoyed in the moment – life quickly moves ahead though, and that candy left behind, after being enjoyed.
Criticism may at first leave a bad taste in our mouths, seem negative to us even, but of the two types of feedback, it is really the most helpful despite the initial sour taste.
Criticism is the most helpful because usually we know what we our strong abilities are, but we can be oblivious to how we can improve, it’s really the so-called criticism feedback which we initially consider negative that is really the more helpful.
I also suspect that most criticism is actually of the type you could call a Point for Improvement comment, as in “you might want to try ….”
I try to consider criticism carefully, was it provided to me with the intent of helpfulness? If so, I am grateful for their insight and try to see if I can apply that feedback to a positive result. If I consider it and I don’t agree, then I can easily let it go in the moment – let life move forward, and simply set it aside. A difference of opinion, neither of us in the “wrong”.
Regardless of whether I accept the criticism or point for improvement,
I believe it is best if I always encourage and give thanks for “criticism” “point for improvement” feedback, just as I do for “praise” since it is always up to me whether I accept it!
Me and 2015 Champion Mohammed Qahtani
If you would like to hear Mohammed’s champion speech – click here, I hope you will enjoy his humour and message.
Thank you for following my blog and visiting. I look forward to your comments! What do you think about this post?
Life and Random Thinking 
Well written, praise we all love…but criticism, not so much. Like you I try (do not always succeed) to take the lesson it meant to teach.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I am sure we are similar then. 🙂 Thanks for taking the time to comment.
LikeLike
Your cat is handsome.
LikeLike
Her name is Africa, she is a heart breaker for sure. thanks for noticing
LikeLike
Great post, good reminders. I love the kitty photo. 🙂
LikeLike
My daughters cat Africa, love her too !
LikeLiked by 1 person
Perhaps it’s odd, but I’m much more comfortable with criticism than praise. Criticism helps me see where I still need to grow in some way, and that growth has a far more lasting impact (I hope) than praise.
LikeLike
That’s so awesome that you are like that. I believe you must have self confidence in yourself and not be reliant on others for how you feel about yourself. Very neat !
LikeLike
You can’t beat a bit of constructive criticism ☺️
LikeLiked by 1 person
You’re right…we need to hear positive and negative (respectfully) in order to grow …
LikeLiked by 1 person
I like how you see it as part of growth, maybe even balance?
LikeLiked by 1 person
Exactly! It’s not that we could do better, it’s that we can do different…learn more about the opposite viewpoint or path
LikeLiked by 1 person
You have a quick mind, and I like talking to you and reading your provoking (in a good way) posts.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you!! I love your take on my topics! You always come up with something I hadn’t thought about!
LikeLiked by 1 person
What an excellent post! Concise and yet every word thought out. This is a touchy topic for me because I really struggle with criticism, particularly my own. Completely fine with praise though… 😁
LikeLike
I think everyone has trouble with “criticism” unless it is carefully shared as feedback carefully phrased as a point for improvement sandwiched top and bottom with praise.
It takes two, learning to accept and learning to share.
LikeLiked by 1 person
If only every colleague thought of it like you, David. Sometimes I am incredibly tactless but quick to apologize.
LikeLiked by 1 person