Being open-minded doesn't mean you have to necessarily agree with whatever someone says - it's the will to consider new ideas and hear people out, no matter your own opinion at the time. Sometimes you'll agree with feedback from others, sometimes you won't - either way having an open-mind to criticism is one of the most important traits as humans...it's also something a lot of us can't handle.
Here's 4 reasons I believe you should have an open-mind towards any feedback that comes your way.
1) IT WILL TEACH YOU LESSONS
You realize what's right versus wrong based on your opinion of what that person has said to you. In that moment you will realize if they are way off or have a particular point in their reasoning. Either way hearing what anyone has to say is very important in forming your own beliefs, learning what other people's views are, and taking what you can from it all.
2) IT WILL HELP YOU GROW
Receiving feedback teaches a person how to effectively listen, learn and ultimately grow in the workplace, in their relationships, and overall their life.
3) IT WILL MAKE YOU MORE APPROACHABLE
People who have an open-mind are more approachable because anyone can come up to them with new ideas knowing they won't be judged or pushed aside. Everyone has their own opinion, good or bad, but it's what makes you approachable as a human being that adds so much to your life based on the lessons you take from it all.
4) IT WILL GIVE YOU A DIFFERENT PERSPECTIVE ON THINGS
Hearing what others think exposes you to new perspectives on things and makes you see them in a different light compared to what you knew prior. Everyone has their own view and although you may not agree with what they have to say their perspective could help yours expand into creating new paths for yourself.
Throughout my life I've learned to be open to any type of feedback that comes my way, sometimes I don't like it, sometimes I do. Either way I'm appreciative because I know it's helping me in so many ways to grow into the woman I’m meant to be. If I don't like the feedback/don't agree with it I then make my own decision about if their input was constructive or if I should just ignore it all together.
That's the beauty in being your own person, you can decide if what others say is good criticism or bad and move forward based on how it made you feel. I love hearing what others think, why they think certain ways, and what got them there. There's always reasons for why people think the way they do - whether it be things they've been through, things others have told them, or things they have just learned a long the way...everyone has a story and they can help you if you let them.
Do you handle "constructive" criticism well?
Are you open-minded to other people's feedback?
If not, what're some steps you can take to get there?
xx Ash
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