#33 That's Great Feedback

When you ask others for feedback, do you shun what they’ll tell you? Or have you given up asking for feedback a while ago already?

I recall getting back papers at school. Mistakes were highlighted with a red pen throughout with a grade at the end. That’s how many of us learn to receive feedback. It’s pointing out what we did wrong, where we failed. Unsurprisingly, many of us avoid asking for it. It sucks to be put in front of a mirror and see all your shortcomings.

Recently, I asked one of my colleagues for feedback on something I wrote. Like my school paper, it came back full of comments. But you know what? I loved it! Why? Because all these comments show me that the other person cares. First, they care enough to read what I wrote. Second, they care enough to help me do better. Compare this to getting back no feedback other than “it’s cool”. Did the person even read it?

Every comment you get is not a personal criticism. It’s a way for you to improve. Don’t avoid feedback. Ask for it, and be thankful for every single comment, every highlight, every correction because someone else spent their time trying to help you.

What are you working on? Have you asked for feedback yet?

Photo by fotografierende on Unsplash