Ole Bull was the famous Norwegian violinist of the past century.
His father, a chemist, sent him to the University to study for the ministry and forbade him to play his beloved violin. He promptly flunked out and devoted all his time and energy to the violin.
Unfortunately, though he had great ability, when he started his first concert tour he wasn't well prepared.
In Italy a Milan newspaper critic wrote: "He is an untrained musician. If he be a diamond, he is certainly in the rough and unpolished."
There were two ways Ole Bull could have reacted to that criticism.
1.He could have let it make him angry or
2. he could learn from it.
Fortunately he chose the latter. He went to the newspaper office and asked to see the critic. The astounded editor introduced him to the old man. Ole spent the evening with the 70-year-old critic, asked about his faults, and sought the older man's advice on how to correct them.
Then he cancelled the rest of his tour, returned home, and spent the next six months studying under really able teachers. He practiced hours upon hours to overcome his faults.
Finally, he returned to his concerts and, when only 26, became the sensation of Europe.
How a person reacts to criticism often means the difference between success and failure. Dealing with criticism positively is an important life skill.
How do we do it?
Lets first understand that there are two types of criticism –
1. constructive & valid and
2. destructive & unjustified.
Unfortunately, though he had great ability, when he started his first concert tour he wasn't well prepared.
In Italy a Milan newspaper critic wrote: "He is an untrained musician. If he be a diamond, he is certainly in the rough and unpolished."
There were two ways Ole Bull could have reacted to that criticism.
1.He could have let it make him angry or
2. he could learn from it.
Fortunately he chose the latter. He went to the newspaper office and asked to see the critic. The astounded editor introduced him to the old man. Ole spent the evening with the 70-year-old critic, asked about his faults, and sought the older man's advice on how to correct them.
Then he cancelled the rest of his tour, returned home, and spent the next six months studying under really able teachers. He practiced hours upon hours to overcome his faults.
Finally, he returned to his concerts and, when only 26, became the sensation of Europe.
How a person reacts to criticism often means the difference between success and failure. Dealing with criticism positively is an important life skill.
How do we do it?
Lets first understand that there are two types of criticism –
1. constructive & valid and
2. destructive & unjustified.
Learning to recognise the difference between the two can help us deal with any criticism that we may receive.
Destructive or unjustified criticism, as the name suggests itself, is aimed to hurt you. Its often insensitivity of the person who criticizes and gives rise to anger and belligerence on the one criticized. It does not give any positive feedback and puts down the one criticized.
Constructive or valid criticism, on the other hand, can be construed to be a useful feedback. No doubt it can also hurt you but its easier to accept because it is aimed not only to point out your mistakes but also show you where and how improvements can be made. It can help you improve yourself rather than put you down.
"He has the right to criticize, who has the heart to help," Abraham Lincoln
The key is to have confidence in your abilities. With self-confidence, criticism isn’t a threat. It’s a useful tool.
Destructive or unjustified criticism, as the name suggests itself, is aimed to hurt you. Its often insensitivity of the person who criticizes and gives rise to anger and belligerence on the one criticized. It does not give any positive feedback and puts down the one criticized.
Constructive or valid criticism, on the other hand, can be construed to be a useful feedback. No doubt it can also hurt you but its easier to accept because it is aimed not only to point out your mistakes but also show you where and how improvements can be made. It can help you improve yourself rather than put you down.
"He has the right to criticize, who has the heart to help," Abraham Lincoln
The key is to have confidence in your abilities. With self-confidence, criticism isn’t a threat. It’s a useful tool.
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