The Powerful Force of Words
If you yell at your hand, nothing happens. No matter how hateful your words, your hand remains intact.
However, when people criticize you, you feel hit. Words can damage your motivation, courage and creativity. Negative comments can ruin marriages and devastate careers. But they are just words!
To get ahead and succeed in life, you need to deal with critics.
10 Ways to Handle Insults
1. Do not automatically assume you have been criticized. Get the truth.
“Exactly what did you mean when you said I was funny?” “Why did you say I make too much pay?”
2. Stop criticizing others. You can't expect to be loved and admired if you cut people down.
Don't give people excuses to attack you. Be kind and helpful.
3. Shine some light on dark intentions.
“Specifically, which part of the meeting did you find useless?”
4. If a person means you more harm than good, end the relationship. Cease all possible contact.
You do not need to be friendly to everyone. Cutting rotten people out of your life can be a relief.
5. List the good things the person has done for you. You may find he or she wishes to help you.
“You know, you're right. I don't know how to dress very well. Do you have any advice?”
6. Ask the critic if you have upset him or her.
“Terry, are you angry with me? I hear you don't like how I operate. Have I upset you in some way?”
7. Don't take the insult personally. Lighten up. Maybe a response is unnecessary.
8. Politicians constantly smear each other in public. Use the line they like to use:
“Charles, I respect you too much to respond to that.”
9. If the person is out to hurt you and you can't disconnect, confront him or her. Show no fear.
Look the critic right in the eyes and say, “Your insults don't help. Knock it off.”
10. Boost your self-esteem.
Your opinion about yourself is the only opinion that truly matters.
“Hiring ExecTech Has Been the Best Business Decision I Have Made”
“Before hiring ExecTech, I didn't know how to be a manager of a business -- they don't teach you that in dental school. My consultant taught me to develop a marketing plan to bring in a steady stream of new patients, how to keep my practice growing, and how to stay on top of my financials. Through the coaching sessions with my coach, I now handle issues with my staff easily (rather than dread them like I used to).
“As a result, my practice grew to the point where I needed a bigger space to accommodate it! I have recently purchased a new building to move my practice to, and my consultant and coach have been with me every step of the way throughout the process.
“The skills I have learned from ExecTech will stay with me throughout my career, and the communication skills I have learned will stay with me throughout my lifetime. I cannot thank ExecTech enough for what they have taught me.
“I can honestly say that hiring ExecTech has, by far, been the best business decision I have made.” --Natalie P, DDS
Have A Great Week!
Brian Rakestraw