Constructive Criticism January 4th, 2013
This week I got an email from a lady who didn’t like my Daily Dose of Motivation email series. She told me why she hadn’t liked it, and what she thought I could do to make it better.
Up till now I have had nothing but praise for my series, which attempts to bring the best parts of my blog to people who, for some reason, would like to hear from me every day. So I must admit this email stopped me in my tracks a bit. Nobody really likes to hear criticism.
My first reaction was defensive. Well, everybody else likes it, so she is just plain wrong. If she doesn’t like it then she can just go on and unsubscribe and not bother the people who do want to read it. Have you ever felt a bit like that in the face of criticism?
Once I stopped inwardly ranting though, I couldn’t ignore a small voice in the back of my head. A few people have told me they like the series – but what if everybody else who is reading it is actually feeling the same way as this lady, and nobody else has been brave enough or kind enough to tell me? Put like that, I realised I needed to look more closely at the email.
What I saw was a well-written and constructive review of the series. My correspondent apologised for being negative in parts, but she did offer me several very honest views, with practical ways in which I could have made the series better from her perspective.
I am going to look into what she said, and I am going to make some of the changes that she recommended. I’m not going to tell you what they were here – after all I don’t want to point out the failings of my product to those of you who have been reading it perfectly happily up till now.
But I do think now, that I have the tools to make Daily Dose even better than before, and I will be working on it over the next few months. so if you haven’t seen it yet, then please come and take a look.
To my correspondent who sent me the constructive criticism – thank you so much for your time, going out of your way to tell me what I did not want to hear. You have done me an enormous favour and also taught me a bit about how to criticise and also how to respond to it.
This entry was posted on Friday, January 4th, 2013 at 8:14 am and is filed under - Business Success, - Reviews. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed.You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.
21 Responses
Jamie Dickinson Says:
Twitter: Money_Angels
Well done! That’s a really positive view. I’m bad with criticism and struggling to take it. However, it’s important to view it in a view which helps you improve. It’s always best to have a think rather than responding.
Jamie Dickinson would like you to read ..Keeping your 2013 Resolution
Rachel Says:
Twitter: beautifulswans
Debbie, this is a great post not least because you’ve had the courage to give us the benefit of your experience when you found the process difficult. I am not great at taking criticism, although it is something I am working on but as business owners we need to understand that if our readers or subscribers are taking the time and giving us honest feedback that we should take the time to evaluate our work. If one person takes the time it is highly likely there are ten or more who are thinking it and either simply unsubscribe or ignore our emails. Well done for taking it on board and being brave enough to pass on your experience to the rest of us.
Rachel would like you to read ..Why use hypnotherapy for weight loss?
(dofollow)
Lyn Blackledge Says:
Twitter: wightbuzz
Well done. It is never easy to take criticism and I have had more than my fair share but to take it and turn it round is brilliant. Im going to pop over and have a read for myself. Keep up the good work.
Lyn Blackledge would like you to read ..If I had one wish
TracyAnn0312 Says:
Well done that you have shared these positive ideas. I love to have these constructive criticism.
TracyAnn0312 would like you to read ..adhd
Becky Goddard -Hill Says:
Twitter: Babybudgeting
Criticism can be very useful but Oh i find it tough to hear too!! Wel done you for taking it on board
Would love to feature as a profile as one of your bsuiness mums if you would like me to !
Becky Goddard -Hill would like you to read ..Win a six pack of Crayola art goodies for your child
Debbie Says:
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/motivatingmumuk
Thanks Jamie, The very best thing to do with criticism is to use it to improve x
Debbie would like you to read ..Are you Being Taxed on your Child Benefit? (dofollow)
Debbie Says:
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/motivatingmumuk
it can be worrying if you start to consider what the silent majority are thinking….best to pay attention to the few who speak out, whatever they say x
Debbie would like you to read ..How to pick your Business (dofollow)
Debbie Says:
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/motivatingmumuk
Thanks Lyn, and well done for taking up the Ultimate Blog challenge – I’ll be reading your stuff. My daily dose started out of a 30 day guest blogging feature I did a couple of years ago – I thought the posts were great so wanted to share them with a wider audience, hence the autoresponder sequence.
Debbie would like you to read ..How to pick your Business (dofollow)
Debbie Says:
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/motivatingmumuk
I can’t say I love the criticism, but it can be useful at least x
Debbie would like you to read ..Money Saving Mummy: Putting ‘Couponing’ into Practice (dofollow)
Debbie Says:
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/motivatingmumuk
Why not send your story along Becky !
Debbie would like you to read ..Money Saving Mummy: Putting ‘Couponing’ into Practice (dofollow)
Purnima Says:
Well done . Its human to take criticism negatively . However if we take it positively it opens us up to new perspectives . I personally feel that receiving feedback well reminds me that it’s OK to have flaws.
Leo Cohen Says:
I think you are reliable and trusted source of information to educate along with entertainment in the meantime. I would only say being an innovator means; you have to be responsible for your behavior, actions and words.
Jan H Says:
Twitter: beyondbrookeIOM
A very interesting post….it is hard to take criticism, particularly when it is about something you are passionate about or have worked hard at. Thanks for sharing your wisdom! x
edongzki Says:
Twitter: EpicMiamiCondos
You did a good job on handling the situation. Staying on positive vibes is one of the best way to handle criticism. Good vibes everyone.
edongzki would like you to read ..Miami Luxury Homes
Fatima Says:
Criticism is constructive if it is put in a way that doesn’t offend others. Thanks for the positive share.
Kristine Says:
Unlike most people I love criticism. It helps you grow as a person. I believe that there’s always a better than the best you can give. And criticism is the push we all need.
Kristine would like you to read ..Kim Wilde Drunk Christmas Impromtu Performance on British Rail (dofollow)
Emilia Says:
Criticism is definitely something not everyone can handle. I believe it’s one of the best motivational tools. Some people just need to know what’s wrong with them to be better.
Kelly Says:
I don’t really like open forums or anything related to criticism but at the end of the day it’s important for us to know how other people see us.
Kelly would like you to read ..New Years Eve Cruise in Sydney 2012 Harbour Fireworks Cruise! (dofollow)
Sandra Says:
I’m kind of bad with taking criticisms, but actually find them useful and have helped me improve. It’s a matter of whether you take it positively or negatively. To read that you have taken the criticisms well is very good.
Lee Says:
Taking criticism is against our psuchy and our first thoughts are always defensive and turning constructive criticism into a positive result is a bit of an art form as we don’t like some one else telling us that what we are doing is not right but once turned into a positive it always makes us feel good as we realise we have improved upon something.
So well done lee
Lee would like you to read ..Make a Bucket List (dofollow)
Colin Boyd Says:
“Colin Boyd who writes about @Quickbooks 2013 Training ”
Criticism is often dislikes, but it is the only type of comment that is worth anything. Praise does little other than make us feel good, Criticism on the other hand helps us to improve. Rather then reject it you should encourage it.
