Handling criticism at work

Feedback is essential for the growth of aspiring and practicing professionals. But are they - rather you equipped to handle it well?

Dealing with criticism in a positive manner is extremely important.

At some point in your professional life you will be criticised. It may seem unfair and difficult. But you can use it in a positive manner -- as a means to better yourself, or in a negative manner -- causing yourself stress, anger and lowered self-esteem.

Follows are the ways in which one must handle criticism:

Is it really criticism?

Mostly people get their defence up the minute they feel somebody is giving them an opinion not necessarily aligned with their own. It is important to understand if the opinion is criticism or constructive feedback.

Instead of being extra sensitive, it is essential to absorb the person's outlook and analyse whether it can be incorporated in anyway.

Do not reject any idea by labeling it as criticism. It might be a stepping stone to bettering yourself.

What is the intent?

You need to evaluate why are you being criticised.

Is it for the betterment of your task quality, behaviour, productivity, or is it simply done to ridicule you?

In case the feedback is in your best interest, utilise the opportunity to learn and outperform your previous efforts.

However, if the person's intent is to simply pick on you, you must be assertive and stand up for yourself.

Accept that you are not perfect.

'Nobody is perfect; neither are you.

If you are good, there is scope to become great.

If you are great, there still is scope to become outstanding.

Take feedback with a pinch of salt and do not get offended. Look at it as an opportunity to stretch your boundaries and explore further into your potential.

Do not get offended easily.

Do you find yourself getting hurt, crying at the drop of a hat or stressing out the minute anybody criticises your work?

The solution is not to cut the critics out of your life but to toughen up.

Do not be over sensitive. Listen intently to what the person is saying.

Weigh the significance before dismissing the person.

Is the feedback accurate?

Be completely objective and unbiased in assessing feedback.

Just because it is different from your line of thought, doesn't necessarily mean that it is wrong.

Think of every piece of feedback/criticism as a means of improving your knowledge, skills, attitude and efficiency.

If it doesn't help on any of these parameters, brainstorm your ideas with the person before putting your foot down and rejecting it.

Stop making excuses.

Do you display strong displeasure whenever someone is pointing out something to you?

This will lead to conflicting situations with the person or discourage the person from walking up to you and sharing his/her honest and possibly valid feedback next time.

Either way, your relationship will suffer, along with any future probability of getting fresh perspective on self-improvement.

Is the criticism destructive?

If you are sure that the intention behind the criticism is destructive, try to find the hidden motive and communicate with the person.

An open communication serves the purpose majority of the time. Be assertive and yet empathetic when you do so.

Trust yourself and be confident of what you bring on the table. Let the critics not succeed in pulling your morale down.

Remember: If you have received criticism that was delivered in a warm manner only to bring a positive shift in you, take the effort to display your gratitude and appreciation to the person.

Thanking people who give you honest criticism is a sign of maturity.

5 Ways to Increase Your Annual Income

5 Ways to Increase Your Annual Income

Invest in Enriching Your Life and Increasing Your Income

Increasing your annual income has many benefits- mainly, ability to afford a quality lifestyle for you and your family, and also the ability to manage unexpected money requirements.

Here are five practical ways to increase your annual income.

#1: Invest in Yourself – Add Value to Your Self Worth

Investing in yourself will give you disproportionately high return on investment- both for the amount of money invested and the time you spent.

Do It Yourself Tips to Invest in Yourself

• Leverage the power of learning. Add a new skill, learn a new language, or try something that’s been on your bucket list.
• Set aside time on a daily or weekly basis to read informative blogs, articles or books.
• Attend a workshop, webinar or training to stay updated on the latest trends.
• Explore your creative side to exercise untapped areas of your mind. This will open up different doors of perception- personally and professionally.

Invest time in taking a sabbatical – Retrospect, introspect and regain your focus

How Does This Increase My Annual Income?

Better skills, greater knowledge and wider perception, all lead to a higher level of opportunities.

#2: Invest Smart – Monetarily not Momentarily

Talking about increasing income is incomplete without considering the actual monetary aspect of investing smart.

Do It Yourself Tips to Increase Your Future Annual Income

• Start early-as early as you possibly can
• Invest for the long term
• Make the right investment choices- for long term goals (more than 5 years), invest in equities and short term (less than 5 years), invest in debt instruments.

How Does This Increase My Annual Income?

Increase your profits by investing wisely. Instill a long term perspective to evade myopic results from a short-sighted plan.

#3: Invest in a Long Term Career Path – Map Your Progression Professionally

Mapping your professional interests can help you strategically build your career path.

Do It Yourself Tips to Chart Your Career Path

• Do a SWOT analysis on your professional traits. Determine your strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats. In this way you can identify the best opportunities that can help you progress with purpose.
• Inculcate a long term vision. Do not let short term challenges come in the way of building your potential in the future.

How Does This Increase My Annual Income?

Being at the right place, at the right time with the right capabilities, tactically improves your career prospects.

#4: Invest in Rewarding Risks – Zone Out of Your Comfort Zone

Taking risks can snap you out of your comfort zone.

Do It Yourself Tips to Zone Out of Your Comfort Zone

• Take a chance to challenge yourself. Push your limits beyond the monotony of mediocre tasks. It is a bitter truth that machines will replace you eventually.
• Focus on work that allows you to build your capabilities, even if it means making a drastic change.

How Does This Increase My Annual Income?

Stepping out of your bubble automatically unlocks new possibilities

#5:  Invest in Health – Focus on Your Physical, Mental and Social Well Being

The real wealth is in the health and well being of your body, mind and social interaction. While the increase in disposable income may translate to a higher standard of living, it could also lead to increasing health issues.

Do It Yourself Tips to Enrich Your Wealth in Health

• Physical Health
  • Exercise. If not for the physical benefits, it also helps in reducing your healthcare bills.
  • Eat healthy. A home cooked meal is not only healthier but also lighter on the pocket.
• Mental Health – Many occupational lifestyle diseases are creeping into urban population. Maintain a good work-life balance to avoid mental problems such as depression, hypertension and neurological issues.
• Social Well Being – Whether you admit it or not, who you interact with socially and your lifestyle have a big impact on your personality. The social environment you choose to be influenced by will affect the way you think and the decisions you make. Choose wisely.

How Does This Increase My Annual Income?

You become the environment you live in. Make it clean, green and lean on the body, mind and wallet.