It's never easy to accept critique, but on the road of life, we will err due to unknowing, unexpected events, or not taking the time to pay attention, and when we err, we will likely face some critique. When we face critique, we have a choice to gracefully accept the critique and change our ways or to ignore the critique. Usually it's best to understand the critique with clarity and make the needed changes.
Critique is especially great when you embark on new tasks and endeavors. For example, as an educator, the first year can be grueling since there is so much new learning and critique that occurs. There's always a lot of new learning and critique as an educator, but the first year spells daily critique and new learning which makes the job very challenging. In time, the critique and new learning takes on a more reasonable, steady pace.
Recently I embarked on a new endeavor. I approached the task with a lot of confidence due to my experience, but soon realized, there was an element of new learning too. This new learning related to latest research and data which changed familiar patterns and responses a bit. As we rationally understand, the world is always changing and to stay up to date, we have to be open to those changes; but as we also know, change with regard to long-held patterns of behavior can be difficult to understand and embrace.
After considerable thought, I'm coaching myself to be more open to change with regard to long-held patterns of behavior and responses. I want to do a good job with my new endeavor, and to do that good job, I have to be open to new information and patterns of behavior. I'll coach myself in that regard.
I'll also open myself up to accepting critique with greater positivity and a willingness to learn. My initial response to critique is to feel defensive, but I will work against that natural response as I work to accept this new challenge with positivity, grace, and good energy. Onward.
