If you’ve been creating content for some time, you’ll likely receive some negative feedback at some point. It may be in the form of a comment on a video or a response on social media. Perhaps someone will unsubscribe from your email newsletter.
This may not have happened to you yet, but if you continue creating content, you will eventually need to deal with criticism.
This is because, as soon as anyone starts gaining attention online and fans start expressing their love, the haters come out of the woodwork.
What should you do?
This may not have happened to you yet, but if you continue creating content, you will eventually need to deal with criticism.
This is because, as soon as anyone starts gaining attention online and fans start expressing their love, the haters come out of the woodwork.
What should you do?
If You Can, Brush It Off
If you’re able to brush negative feedback off like it’s nothing, that’s great. In fact, I would go so far as to say you have a superpower! Most people are unable to do this.
If you’re like me, negative comments bother you. In fact, coping with criticism was something I had to work hard on. I always put a lot of effort into my content and I want other people to enjoy it. It used to hurt me to know that not everyone appreciates what I was doing.
If you’re like me, negative comments bother you. In fact, coping with criticism was something I had to work hard on. I always put a lot of effort into my content and I want other people to enjoy it. It used to hurt me to know that not everyone appreciates what I was doing.
My Own Experience with Criticism
The one time I allowed criticism to really get to me was after I taught a full-day seminar. The reviews came back and around 99 percent were overwhelmingly positive. However, the only review that stuck with me was the sole negative one. I believe its exact words were, “For the love of God. Tell Amber to stop laughing. She’s so annoying.”
Let me tell you, I wasn’t laughing after that comment.
This wasn’t the first time I’d received a negative comment, but, for whatever reason, that one got to me. I like to laugh — my middle name is Joy!
After receiving that feedback, I began to feel much more self-conscious than usual. Whenever I was speaking, I started to wonder if I was laughing too much. Was I annoying someone? As a result, I overcorrected. I allowed that one comment to steal my joy.
Let me tell you, I wasn’t laughing after that comment.
This wasn’t the first time I’d received a negative comment, but, for whatever reason, that one got to me. I like to laugh — my middle name is Joy!
After receiving that feedback, I began to feel much more self-conscious than usual. Whenever I was speaking, I started to wonder if I was laughing too much. Was I annoying someone? As a result, I overcorrected. I allowed that one comment to steal my joy.
The Berne Brown Video
Everything changed when I watched a video by the brilliant Doctor Berne Brown. In the video, she says, “If you’re not in the arena also getting your ass kicked, I’m not interested in your feedback.” This transformed my entire mindset about criticism. In an instant, it showed me whose feedback would carry weight in my life.
Up to that moment, I had allowed fear of what other people may think to stop me from creating more content — and ultimately taking me away from my calling — for far too long. And who suffered? It wasn’t the haters. It wasn’t the person who left the negative comment. It was me. It was my family.
Up to that moment, I had allowed fear of what other people may think to stop me from creating more content — and ultimately taking me away from my calling — for far too long. And who suffered? It wasn’t the haters. It wasn’t the person who left the negative comment. It was me. It was my family.
Moving Forward
Always remember that fear keeps you small. Never stop delivering your message because of a few haters. Never stop sending out your email newsletter because a few people unsubscribed. Your calling, your Big Why, is too important to give up because of a little criticism.
The next time you receive any criticism, kick it to the curb like it’s a bad ex who’s trying to get back into your life. The only negative comments you should ever pay attention to are constructive feedback from someone who has already reached where you want to be.
You can’t be everything to everyone — and that’s okay. Be authentic, be true to yourself, and you’ll find your tribe.
Now, go and make some new content! And be sure to tag me, so I can cheer you on.
The next time you receive any criticism, kick it to the curb like it’s a bad ex who’s trying to get back into your life. The only negative comments you should ever pay attention to are constructive feedback from someone who has already reached where you want to be.
You can’t be everything to everyone — and that’s okay. Be authentic, be true to yourself, and you’ll find your tribe.
Now, go and make some new content! And be sure to tag me, so I can cheer you on.
