Every Flawless Diamond Started in the Rough

My boss told me the other day that I take constructive criticism well.  I think this was a very high compliment.  I am always trying to be a better me, and I feel even inputs I don't agree with are opportunities for self reflection and improvement. We are all diamonds in the rough.  I'm no exception.

Constructive criticism is a positive.  We are often told it isn't, but that's because a lot of people don't do constructive criticism.  The stereotype is criticism is bad.  It can be. It depends on the delivery.  There certainly are people that only criticize others to drag them down, put them in their place, make them feel bad about themselves. Positive criticism isn't that way.  The person genuinely wants you to succeed.  They see an inclusion that needs to be polished or filled. 

Now I know a couple of my friends look to improve themselves and always listen and then self evaluate.  I also know some of you let someone tell you everything they think is "wrong" with you.  Some of you internalize what's being said, but it's often because you've been over exposed to negative criticism ~ how you aren't good enough and never will be or you must conform to their wants, their lives, who they are.  That's not constructive criticism.  Nasty people like to pretend they are "helping" while tearing you down. They don't want you to be your best because they aren't and will never be their best.

Sure, we all have our rough edges in certain aspects.  No diamond is perfect.  Even a "flawless" diamond has inclusions.  They just aren't visible under 10x magnification.  None of us will ever be "flawless".  You have to accept that, and when those negative ninnies are telling you how "wrong" you are in their minds, you give that the value that you give the person talking.  Are they a positive in your life?  Are they dragging you down? Sometimes we value the opinions of people who only want to see us fail.  These are the people who we should give little value to their opinions. It doesn't hurt to give it some thought, but don't overwhelm yourself with it.

If it's constructive, and if you know yourself you know what positive, constructive criticism should look like, then you take that opportunity to improve you.  But never let anyone beat you down.  You aren't perfect, but no one is.  All we can do is try to improve ourselves everyday, and constructive criticism affords us the opportunity to see what we may have missed.  Not all criticism is bad and you shouldn't shirk from it. Never, ever let negative people criticize you to the point you "lose" your ability to work towards your "flawless".  Be as brilliant as you can be and work every day to be even more brilliant.