Compliments and criticism

how to handle criticism and give and receive compliments.

What you think of me is none of my business. - Terry Cole-Whittaker

Wouldn't it be wonderful to go through life without ever being criticised? Perhaps, but this is not possible. Employers, spouses, children, parents, friends and colleagues will all criticise you from time to time. You probably can't stop them, but you can learn to handle it.

Your attitude to criticism is heavily influenced by your experiences as a child; critical parents tend to raise either critical or defensive children. Only those with very low opinions of themselves are easily hurt or embarrassed by criticism, but if you have confidence in yourself you aren't unduly worried by it. You realise that people who constantly criticise others usually feel bad about themselves, and are projecting their low self-esteem onto others.

The inability to accept a compliment is another sign of low self-esteem. People lacking in confidence often regard compliments with suspicion, wondering why the other person is being so nice and if there's an ulterior motive. Get comfortable with compliments. They make both the giver and receiver feel good and build the self-esteem of all concerned.