Don't Let Praise and Criticism Control You

Most people get praise and criticism wrong.

They let praise swell their ego, and they let criticism crush their spirit. While these responses are natural, they hurt you more than help you.

A mentor of mine used to tell me:

“Don’t let praise go to your head and don’t let criticism go to your heart.”

Praise feels great. It often builds belief and develops confidence. But it can also be a dangerous illusion that you have arrived, which is precisely when complacency sneaks in and slows down growth.

Criticism cuts the other way. When Building the Best was published, I watched the Amazon reviews roll in like a hawk. Every positive one made me bubble. However, a negative review soon followed, harsh and dismissive. I let it sink deep into my heart. It's not the reason my new book hasn't been released, but since I am still writing about it, it certainly has had an impact.

Here’s the lesson: feedback is valuable, but neither praise nor criticism should define you. Praise can affirm, but it can’t be the reason you keep going. Criticism can refine, but it can’t be the reason you stop.

Stay coachable. Seek feedback. But guard your head and your heart. Because growth doesn’t come from what others say, it comes from resistance and persistent action.

I hope that today, due to your actions, you receive some praise or even criticism. But you stay steady in the storm and don’t allow either of them to control your future.

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