HOW TO DEAL WITH CONSTRUCTIVE CRITICISM
BY LESLEY TIMBOL
Do you see criticism as negative ?
As athletes and competitors , you never want to fail at anything . And because of this , criticism is often avoided .
However there are some valuable lessons and opportunities that can come from constructive criticism .
In fact , early criticism is necessary for future success .
To grow as an athlete , it is essential to determine which messages or critiques are beneficial and which criticisms are unproductive . Too often , the message gets thrown out with the messenger due to the tone and delivery of the feedback .
Unfortunately , you have no control over how someone gives you feedback .
Why are athletes afraid of constructive criticism ?
- They feel they are being judged negatively . - The criticism confirms some self-doubt they have about themselves . - They have perfectionist standards . - They fear they are letting others down . - They are given feedback in an aggressive or disapproving tone .
What distinguishes athletes who can handle criticism vs . those who struggle with it ?
Some athletes see the criticism as a list of everything they do wrong . In these instances , they dismiss or ignore feedback .
Accepting and using feedback is a critical mental skill for athletes . When athletes develop this skill , they won ’ t feel attacked when coaches or skilled professionals give them feedback . It will feel more like a suggestion about improving their performance .
Criticism can feel like an attack , but often athletes can find a message in it and disregard the negative tone .
What 4 questions should athletes ask themselves when they receive criticism ?
1 . What is the main message ? 2 . Is this feedback useful for me ? 3 . How does this message help me ? 4 . How can I apply this feedback in practice / prep to improve performance ?
After receiving criticism from their coach or other sports professional , athletes should :
1 . Communicate with the person giving the feedback . They should ask for clarification about the message if they ’ re confused .
2 . Challenge their defensiveness . They should try to understand why they don ’ t like receiving feedback .
3 . Focus on the message itself , not how the message is delivered . The message is more important than the delivery .
4 . Ask themselves how they can apply it to their performance / game and what to do .
Other athletes view criticism as constructive . They see it as advice about how to improve their game .