Q&A for How to Deal With Criticism

Return to Full Article

Coming soon

Add New Question

Question

How can I not let criticism bother me?

Michelle Shahbazyan, MS, MA
Life Coach
Michelle Shahbazyan is a Life Coach, Author, and Speaker based in Los Angeles, California. She is the Founder of The LA Life Coach, a concierge life, family, and career coaching service. She has over 15 years of experience with life coaching, consulting, motivational speaking, and matchmaking. Michelle has helped thousands of clients achieve peace, fulfillment, and a healthier mindset. Her ultimate goal is to provide her clients with the tools, perspectives, and resources needed to create the life they desire. Michelle specializes in supporting individuals and couples with a wide array of concerns, including depression, anxiety, love and relationship issues, ADHD, grief, stress, anger management, and career planning. Her approach is informed by neuroscience, anthropology, sociology, and behavioral biology, ensuring that the strategies she develops with clients are both effective and enduring. She has a BA in Applied Psychology and an MS in Building Construction and Technology Management from Georgia Tech University, and a MA in Psychology with an emphasis on Marriage and Family Therapy from Phillips Graduate University.

Michelle Shahbazyan, MS, MA

Life Coach

Expert Answer

Try to reframe any negative criticism into positive and actionable steps that you can take to improve.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 4 Helpful 4
Question

Why am I too sensitive?

Community Answer

A person may be sensitive due to various reasons. Some people are born sensitive and some as a result of traumatic or negative events in life. Think about where your sensitivity comes from. For example: Are you sensitive only in certain situations? If yes, write them down and think how you can change your perspective about the situation. If self- evaluation doesn't help or if you have problems dealing with them, consult a counsellor. If you are sensitive to even constructive criticism, it's time to change the way you look at it. If the criticisms are destructive and baseless, ignore them and be comfortable and confident the way you are.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 5 Helpful 57
Question

How do I must respond to destructive criticism like "You are so fat!" Do I respond by smiling? Or give a blank facial expression?

Community Answer

Just say, "So?," or "Your point?" Don't get angry. You can't control the thoughts, words, or actions of others. To attempt to do so is folly and will only leave you exasperated.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 4 Helpful 34
Question

How should I handle an argumentative student who has trouble accepting criticism?

Community Answer

You should talk to him/her after class hours, separately. The student might be sensitive to criticism and might be trying to defend himself in front of his/her peers. When you try to understand the student's issues and the things bothering him/her, it will be helpful in dealing with the student later on.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 4 Helpful 20
Question

My friend told me I'm annoying. I was pretty bummed about it, but my other friends told me she just says things without thinking. What should I do?

Community Answer

If she does it again, she is either impulsive or really doesn't like you. Either way, keep a lookout. It might be time for new friends.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 3 Helpful 16
Question

I am very sensitive. Something mean or critical said by family and friends stays with me a long time and I can't even get good sleep at night. What can I do?

Community Answer

Tell the people who hurt you about how it makes you feel. They may not realize they are upsetting you.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 13 Helpful 24
Question

How do I deal with a mean professor that always criticizes me?

Community Answer

Speak with him during his office hours, and let him know that you are feeling personally affronted by his criticism. He may have a reason behind it. If not and he blows you off, you can always report him to the Dean.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 10 Helpful 16
Question

What should I do if a classmate of mine or a friend does not get good grades while I do and they say that they can do better if they start studying?

Community Answer

Then encourage them to start studying so their grades reflect their true potential. This sounds more like friendly competition than criticism. Don't worry about what the say. You're doing well, so you have nothing to worry about.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 3 Helpful 9
Question

How can I stop crying when someone makes a constructive criticism to me?

Community Answer

Remember that the criticism is designed to help you, not to harm you.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 16 Helpful 20
Question

People used to criticize me because of my looks, which lowers my confidence. How can I deal with this?

Community Answer

Looks mean nothing. It nice to feel pretty or feel confident, but looking good pales in comparison to having good character. Take care of yourself and try to look your best because you are valuable and by doing so you're honoring the valuable person God created. Aside from that, give it no further thought, because your looks will only become a prison if you allow them to solely or even partially define your value.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 7 Helpful 15
Question

One minute my friends parents are nice, and the next minute they are making little digs at me. I never used to be this sensitive, but when I lost my mother to cancer things changed. What should I do?

Community Answer

Is it possible they're joking around with you in a way you're just not used to? If that's potentially the case, they won't know it upsets you unless you tell them how you feel. If you tell them, and the behavior doesn't stop, you should just walk away when they say something negative if you must be in contact with them. It might also help you to talk to a mental health professional (counselor, therapist, etc.) about how you've been feeling since your mother passed.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 4 Helpful 7
Question

I am a Team Leader and I am often criticized or corrected by my superior in front of the whole team, while face-to-face feedback seems like it would be better. What should I do?

Community Answer

Try telling your superior how you feel, "I don't mind the criticism, but could you please give it to me privately? I feel undermined in front of my team, and I need to make sure I have their respect."

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 4 Helpful 6
Question

How do I respond to indirect critical comments about my work results?

Community Answer

Thank the person for his feedback and take it into consideration going forward.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 6 Helpful 3
Question

I get defensive when I'm confronted by a boss. How do I stop raising my voice, swearing, and feeling like I have to protect myself?

Community Answer

Ask for criticism via email or respond in an email that way you wont have to raise your voice, it also gives you time to respond in a more calm way. I have the same tendency, but once I have had time to think it through I am able to respond in a more thought out way.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 0 Helpful 1
Question

How can I run away from friends who like to criticize me?

Ebi Moses

Community Answer

It's understandable that being criticized by friends can be difficult and uncomfortable. Here are some steps you can take to distance yourself from friends who tend to be overly critical: (1) Be honest with your friends. Talk to them about how their criticisms are affecting you, and let them know that you need some space. Tell them you appreciate their feedback but that you need to step back for a while. (2) Limit your interactions. Start declining invitations to hang out or suggest alternative activities that don't involve your critical friends. This can help you create some distance between you and your friends without completely cutting them off.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 0 Helpful 0