Would You Be Nothing?

I know a few people who have a difficult time handling the criticism of others. When I talk with them, I try to encourage them to understand the difference between criticism and critique.  One, criticism, is nothing more than verbal judgment with no suggestion on how to improve.  The other, critique, is feedback on something with recommendations on how to make it better.  Yes, there are those people who can’t handle either one well.  They take either one as a sign of their failure.  There are several reasons why people shouldn’t do that: take criticism or critique as a sign of failure. Let’s talk about them and why, no matter what kind of feedback you get, you should view it all as a sign of some attempt at positive action on your part.

Ben Franklin once said, “If you would not be forgotten as soon as you are dead, either write things worth reading or do things worth writing.”

Since I consider Ben Franklin and Aristotle two of the wisest men in history, I like to try to combine their outlooks when I can.  (It makes me feel wise too.) So, think about this a minute…

Aristotle says there’s only one way to never be criticized: do nothing, say nothing and be nothing.  We all exist so BEING nothing isn’t an option.  We all get through each day be performing various actions so DOING nothing isn’t an option.  SAYING nothing is an option but one few of us ever exercise – myself included.  My outlook is this…

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