🧪 Turn Feedback Into Fuel: How to Stop Taking It Personally and Start Getting Better
Hello, Hello!
Criticism is never easy. I used to think, “How dare they say this about me? I tried so hard.”
If I didn’t hear a compliment, my mind would jump to “They don’t like me.” And for a people pleaser like me, that was the worst feeling. I craved approval, validation, to be seen as someone doing a great job.
But here’s what I’ve learned the hard way: If all you ever get is praise, how do you grow? Constructive feedback—real, honest, sometimes uncomfortable feedback—is one of the biggest gifts someone can give you.
It means they care enough to notice. It means they believe you can do better.
I used to react defensively, especially when the feedback came from someone I respected.
Now, I take a breath and say: “Thank you for telling me.”. If you trust the person giving you the feedback, don’t argue. Don’t explain. Just listen. Reflect. And use it. That’s how you build trust. That’s how you grow.
Today we’re diving deeper into how to receive critical feedback without taking it personally.
Enjoy,
— Aderson
🧪 Turn Feedback Into Fuel: How to Stop Taking It Personally and Start Getting Better
You pour your heart into something—an email, a project, a presentation—and then it happens…
“Can I give you some feedback?”
Instant anxiety.
Your brain screams: “What did I do wrong?” “Am I not good enough?” “Why didn’t they like it?”
If this sounds familiar, you’re not alone.
But what if feedback wasn’t a threat? What if it was actually one of your biggest growth opportunities?
Let’s break this down.
🔧 3 Ways to Reframe Feedback and Use It to Level Up
🔍 Treat feedback like data, not drama
🚪 Open the door before it’s knocked on
🛠️ Use it to sharpen, not shame
🔍 Treat feedback like data, not drama
Feedback is not a personal attack. It’s information.
Think of it like debugging. You wouldn’t take it personally if a tool told you there’s a syntax error. You’d just fix it.
Feedback works the same way. It’s someone handing you a map to something you couldn’t see from your perspective.
Does it always come in a perfect, polite package? No. But the gold is there if you’re willing to extract it.
Tip: Try saying to yourself, “This is data. Not a verdict on my worth.”
🚪 Open the door before it’s knocked on
Don’t wait for feedback. Ask for it. And be specific.
Instead of:
“Any feedback?”
Try:
“What’s one thing I could’ve done better in that demo?”
When you invite feedback proactively, you flip the power dynamic. You’re in control. And people respect that maturity.
You’re not just open to growth—you’re actively looking for it.
And bonus: when you ask first, the tone tends to be more collaborative than critical.
🛠️ Use it to sharpen, not shame
Yes, feedback can sting. But instead of going into self-judgment mode, channel it into self-improvement.
Ask yourself:
- What’s useful here?
- What will I do differently next time?
- What patterns are emerging?
Your goal isn’t perfection—it’s progress. And feedback is your shortcut to getting better faster.
Don’t use it to beat yourself up. Use it to build yourself up.
Final Thoughts
Feedback isn’t the enemy. It’s fuel.
If you treat it like a tool instead of a threat, you’ll not only grow faster—you’ll show up with more confidence, clarity, and curiosity.
And remember: the people who grow the most aren’t the ones who avoid feedback. They’re the ones who learn how to use it.
“We all need people who will give us feedback. That’s how we improve.” — Bill Gates