CRITICISM

ABOUT CRITICISM

Being criticized is part of our day-to-day life, especially when we are in the professional environment. Some criticisms can be constructive and help us grow. Others can be destructive and end up discouraging us or causing us to lose control. As the two eventually happen at other points in life, we must always be prepared to deal with them in the most adverse situations.

CONSTRUCTIVE CRITICS

Constructive criticisms are those that are pointed out so that we can improve our weaknesses. Generally, they are found in feedbacks in our artistic professional environment or it is that famous "BE AWARE" that someone close to us gives due to an adverse situation. It can be pointed out as much as the execution of a specific task or our behavior that was not so pleasant. This kind of criticism is a positive one, because we have the opportunity to recognize mistakes and have the opportunity to work on it and, consequently, to grow as professional people and artistic professionals. By receiving them, we may have some concern at first, but they motivate us and make us want to be more qualified and willing to progress. When you receive constructive criticism, get excited, feel welcomed, and reflect on what has happened. Accept it as an opportunity for growth and artistic maturity. At the end, thank the person who made it and make yourself available for future feedback.

DESTRUCTIVE CRITIQUE

The destructive criticisms are those made in the wrong and unkind way, with baseless accusations and without any contribution to our growth and artistic maturity. They are done by unprepared people who are not able to offer assertive feedback and have no sensitivity at all to dealing with others. The problem is that, besides being unnecessary, they cause us feelings of anger, guilt, and demotivation. If you receive a destructive critique, receive it with intelligence and EMOTIONAL CONTROL, as they are loaded with negative information that can compromise their behavior and even profoundly affect their self-esteem and productivity and artistic productivity.

Do not reciprocate this type of criticism. Instead, reflect on the fact, use resilience and think about the positive lesson you can draw from such a situation. If you get annoyed and find it appropriate, at another time, give constructive feedback to this person, reporting how impertinent she was in the way you criticized.

MY ARTISTIC WORK WAS CRITICATED?

First, think whether criticism is in fact necessary. Ponder how much you are going to talk and seek not only to point out a mistake, but to question it and understand why that person acted in that particular way. If you do, be as gentle and professional as you can and put yourself in the other person's shoes. Show what was done wrong and, whenever possible, give suggestions of what can be done so that the same error does not occur again. Also give the opportunity for the person to speak, to portray or to suggest what can be improved. In this way, you will be able to make a constructive criticism, thus contributing to someone's growth rather than making them unmotivated, angry, and rather sad.

Example: Criticize my English! My native language is Portuguese with 480 irregular verbs. To do a master's or doctorate here has to be a genius. I did not have or feel like being born in a homeland where the language is English. The essence of the text above, is not clear? Yes it is! That's what matters.

Luís Horácio,

Curator By Merit.