Learn to Take a Punch

Learn to Take Criticism

When you put your work out into the world, expect to receive all kinds of feedback — good, bad, and ugly.

It's important not to take criticism personally.

Learning to handle criticism can help you grow as a creator.

Relax and Breathe

Don’t let fear control you.

Bad criticism isn't the end of the world.

Practice relaxation techniques like meditation to help you stay calm and focused when facing criticism.

Strengthen Your Resilience

The best way to handle criticism is to expose yourself to it frequently.

Keep creating and sharing your work.

The more you do this, the easier it becomes to handle criticism.

Use Criticism as Motivation

Keep moving forward and use criticism as fuel for new work.

Sometimes, pushing the boundaries of what people dislike about your work can lead to innovative and interesting creations.

Protect Your Sensitive Work

If you have work that is very personal and you're not ready for it to be criticized, keep it private.

However, remember that avoiding vulnerability entirely can prevent you from making meaningful connections through your work.

Keep a Healthy Perspective

Your work is what you do, not who you are.

Maintain a balance by keeping close to family and friends who love you for who you are, not just for your work.

Evaluate the Source of Feedback

Focus on feedback from people who care about you and your work.

Be cautious of feedback from strangers, especially those who seem intent on provoking rather than helping.

Ignore Trolls

Trolls aim to provoke and upset you.

Don't engage with them.

Block, delete, or ignore their comments to protect your mental well-being.

Control Your Comment Spaces

Consider turning off comments or using filters to manage feedback.

Not all spaces need to invite public opinion.

Allow people to contact you directly for more meaningful interactions.

Actionable Insights

Practice Receiving Feedback: Regularly share your work and seek feedback. This will help you get used to receiving criticism and make you more resilient over time.
Stay Calm Under Criticism: Use relaxation techniques such as deep breathing or meditation to stay calm when you receive negative feedback. This will help you process criticism more effectively.
Turn Criticism into Action: Instead of letting negative feedback bring you down, use it as motivation to improve and innovate in your work. Challenge yourself to address the criticisms constructively.
Curate Your Feedback Sources: Seek feedback from trusted sources who have your best interests at heart. Avoid letting negative comments from trolls or strangers affect you.
Maintain a Support System: Keep a close group of supportive friends and family who love you for who you are. They can provide a healthy balance and perspective when dealing with criticism.

By implementing these steps, you can learn to handle criticism constructively, protect your mental well-being, and continue to grow both personally and professionally.

Summary from Book: Show Your Work! 10 Ways to Share Your Creativity and Get Discovered