Sometimes the opinions about you from others make their way back to you. It can be in a gossipy way, or in a more objective evaluative form. Either way, you have an opportunity to hear what was said, and after you have calmed your ego, use it to improve yourself.

The first step is to take what was said into context and understand why it was said. Then, look inside yourself and see if it is true. If it is and you can see the value in “fixing” what you have been criticized about, then clearly identify those areas and set an action plan for how you want to change them. Sometimes, just the awareness is enough.

Don’t let that critique become a sore point but rather a place of strength, insight and growth. I recently received some cold hard feedback and went through the above listed sequence before coming to a place of empowerment. The good news is, I saw value in what was said, and disregarded some of it- but in the end am grateful for the honest review.