3 Tips for Handling Constructive Criticism Like a Champion

Let’s face it, receiving any kind of constructive criticism or honest feedback can be a humbling experience. Our pride and ego can sometimes get in the way of the truth penetrating our hearts.

Well, the truth is, we can’t grow if we can’t accept honest feedback from others and we need honest feedback because we all have blind spots.

Here are 3 tips to help you handle constructive criticism like a champ:

1.Think of feedback as a gift to help you become the best version of yourself.

Whether it be a coach or spiritual director, we all need people in our lives that make us better. I once had a basketball coach tell me, “When I’m quiet and you don’t hear any feedback from me, that’s when you need to worry.” When people care about you and see your potential, they will want to tell you the truth to make you better.

Although Kobe Bryant was considered headstrong and uncoachable by his coach, Phil Jackson, [1] his insatiable work ethic and mindset to become better at his craft every single day is really what we should be striving for in our spiritual lives. I’m not saying Kobe was a saint by any means, but what if we desired to become a saint just as much as he was determined to become the greatest basketball player of all time?

2. Ask clarifying questions for context.

In my last post, I mentioned that we can’t control how people express their feelings towards us. Their delivery might not be the best, but we can still control how we react to it. Be curious rather than being defensive. Once you have all of the information, then you can take the necessary steps to make improvements moving forward.

3. Invite honest feedback from your loved ones.

Be proactive and humble enough to ask people in your life that know you the best if there’s anything that you can improve upon. This will take courage, but we’re most likely going to get the most helpful feedback from those that know us the best. Since people in our closest circle love us the most, they’ll be more than happy to offer feedback if we’re brave enough to ask for it.

I hope these 3 tips will help you receive honest feedback from others in your life in a more positive way. The bottom line is we’re all works in progress. As Ephesians 2:10 says, “You are God’s masterpiece.” Be content with making progress every single day and harness that #saintmentality.

“You know you are God’s masterpiece and he is continuing to paint your picture.”

FR. DOUG HALSEMA, SAINT MARY CATHOLIC CHURCH, HOMILY 3/7/21

xoxo,

This post was inspired by the homily series entitled “No Offense” by Saint Mary Catholic Church in Fort Walton Beach, FL. You can read or listen to the full homily here.