Overcoming The Power of Criticism

by Gina Parris

Overcoming the Power of Criticism

– by Gina Parris

“Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me.” –childhood chant

Will was in his second year pitching at a famous Division-1 University. Long gone were the days when baseball was “fun,” but this particular day took his breath away. His coach had called him into his office.  Not sure what to expect, he was stunned when the coach raised his voice and rambled on about what a “mistake” it was to bring Will to the program. The sophomore’s heart began beating hard in his chest as he stood there, looking at a coach who seemed nearly crazed.

“This doesn’t make sense,” Will thought through the tirade.  He had more appearances than the other pitchers. His performance was consistently strong.  He hadn’t even MADE a recent mistake, so why was his presence suddenly a mistake?

“Why is he saying these things?” he wondered. He tuned back in to hear that phrase again.

“Bringing you here was just a MISTAKE!”

The words pierced his heart and turned his stomach. He left the office filled with anger and resentment.  What was he supposed to do now? He was still on the team, still expected to save games, but with the sickening notion that he was unwanted.

His mind went back to his high school career. Those were the days! He had the highest strikeout record in his whole state. He thought about all the attention he had gotten just a few years earlier. What great offers he had received. He thought coming to this program would be a dream come true. Now it turned out it was just a dream gone bad. 

Every athlete has moments that lodge in their psyche. They have memories that exhilarate and inspire. They have memories that bring grief.  As a child we recite the saying, “Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me!

Oh if only that were true.  In reality, the memories of critical words have a HUGE impact on millions of people. Grown men recall with anger hurtful words that were spoken to them in childhood. Athletes remember the “boo” of a crowd, or the demeaning words of a coach. The experience can be so painful that a person will do anything to avoid being criticized again. That is where the fear of criticism has derailed many with great potential.

You can rise above any words.

You see, we cannot change the words that were spoken to us, but we CAN change the meaning we give to them.  We can change the impact they have on our reality. In fact we can do that regarding things that were said in the past, and any words that may be spoken in the future. Knowing this fact will free you from the fear of wondering, “What will people SAY?” That freedom alone will empower you to play miles above the average player.

How might you do this? Try these three things:

1.       Separate yourself from the talker

2.       “Remix the soundtrack” of their words

3.       Offer  acceptance or forgiveness

SEPARATING YOUR SELF FROM THE TALKER:

Imagine you are looking at a person trapped in their own shackles. Have you ever seen pictures of slaves who had a ball and chain around their ankle?  What if the ball and chain were around their neck? What if that chain was long enough for them to whip that ball over their head like a lasso, and throw it around you until you were caught in their chain too? You would be bound to them, in a most uncomfortable way!

On some level, that’s what happens when we let someone’s angry words impact us. Obviously we don’t let that happen consciously. That’s why you want to separate yourself from the talker – so you are not caught into the chains of their own personal issues.

The first thing Will did to separate himself from his angry coach was to consider the source.  His coach was still a rookie, trying to prove himself against a losing record.  He knew his job was in jeopardy if he couldn’t get these amazing players to win more league games. Obviously the coach was pitiful at motivating the players, but watching him implode from pressure was NOT Will’s problem.

Jim Rohn used to say that we don’t see things as they really are; we see things as WE really are.  The fact that Will’s coach was always seeing the worst in everything was more a reflection of himself than his players.  Knowing this helped Will to relax and drop the chain connecting him to the memory.

“REMIX THE SOUNDTRACK” OF THEIR WORDS

Words have a frequency. Music has a frequency. Everything you see, touch and feel is really just energy vibrating at a certain frequency.  When you hear something coming at you that is upsetting, it’s a good time to remix the frequency! You can do this by going back to the memory and mentally manipulating the pitch, the volume, the sound, the size, the image -whatever you want from the original scene.

It’s true that you can’t change the past. You CAN however, change the meaning you give to past events and that will change your  reality.

Here’s part of what Will did to remix that unsettling soundtrack:

-First he mentally relived the fateful moment in the office.  He purposefully re-lived it clearly enough to raise his current anxiety to a level 10 on a scale from 1 to 10. Perfect! Then he consciously accepted his own anger and emotions.

-Next, while tapping on his chest to feel the vibration of it, he used his imagination. Remember, your subconscious mind does not know the difference between events that were real or imagined. It just tries to protect you based on all its known and felt.

So, while remembering his angry coach at the desk, he saw coach shrinking, shrinking to the size of a mouse while Will calmly towered over him. He could barely hear his coach’s mouse-like voice  screaming, “mistake, mistake, mistake. Bringing you here was just a mistake.”

In the memory Will was already hugely successful and the coach seemed curiously comical. He continued with different images, colors, sounds until the event was laughable. By the end it was impossible to remember the original experience with any pain, and the memory had no power on Will’s performance.

OFFERING ACCEPTANCE AND FORGIVENESS

When people criticize us, it is easy to become angry at them for making us feel a certain way. The truth is that no one really has the power to make us feel terrible, unless we give it to them. When we separate our self from the talker there are usually two people to forgive: ourselves and them.

This forgiveness is NOT an elaborate spiritual process. It is mostly a statement of acceptance and release. Some example statements might go as follows:

1.       “I forgive myself for feeling so upset.”

2.       “I forgive The Talker for doing the best he knows." (You would use their name.)

Anytime we walk in forgiveness, we strengthen our personal power. It does not mean that we are condoning past actions that were bad. It means we give up our right to punish for them. Spending our own energy trying to punish ourselves or others is exhausting. It creates a conflicted state, and conflict is the opposite of flow.  When you walk in the steps we’ve just covered, you will powerfully free yourself from the fear of criticism. When you do, you will break through to the next level of your game.

What happened after Will took these steps to deal with the criticism? He felt immediately free and empowered.  Interestingly, a few days later his coach followed him off the field to say,  

“You know Will, you really do have what it takes to be an outstanding major league pitcher!” 

Now, changing your reaction to another person does not guarantee that they will become nicer, but it does make your life more peaceful.  The important thing is to know that you can handle any criticism that may come your way – past, present, or future. It never has to hinder your performance.

At the time of this writing, Will is on track to do quite well in the next MLB draft. He is playing for a program he loves, and baseball once again brings him joy.

How about YOU? What words of criticism rattle around in your head? How would you be different if you were free from the power of those words?

If you would like to get the book that explains more of how to MASTER YOUR ENERGY on and off the field, than please check out my Flow On Demand. You can purchase it for instant download right here: FLOW ON DEMAND – The Athlete's Edge

Until next time, keep playing hard and enjoy your game!

I'm in your corner,

 

Gina

{ 21 comments… read them below or add one }

J Steele October 18, 2010 at 4:14 pm

That's really powerful Gina. A real story that I can identify with and I'm sure most everyone as well. I heard an announcer during a college football game on Saturday talking about the recent trials of a well-known QB and how impressed he was with all the criticism, noting that when he enters the NFL (as a top round prospect) that's exactly what he'll need (perspective and strength to handle it right) and is also the reason that he's made it this far. wow….
What you're saying here totally resonates with that. I wish every child could have and use these tools as they grow and encounter adults who criticize and discourage.
Thank you!

Reply

GinaParris October 18, 2010 at 4:25 pm

Aw thanks J! My heart goes out to those quarterbacks too actually. I'll never forget a very famous NFL quarterback shaking his head and saying, “No body had any idea how bad it hurt to hear the stadium booing me.” You know how much I LOVE helping people re-wire their stories.

Reply

J Steele October 18, 2010 at 5:24 pm

slight correction on my comment: the announcer was not impressed with the criticism, he was impressed with how this QB had handled all the criticism.
It is a great point that “hurt people hurt people” and to recognize that someone is usually critical out of their own hurt and dysfunction. No need to continue that cyle. Great words Gina

Reply

GinaParris October 19, 2010 at 1:27 pm

Haha! I knew what you meant, J!!

Reply

drscott October 18, 2010 at 4:49 pm

What a great example of what to do to change the experience of hurtful words Gina. Thank you for sharing this example. Many people can benefit from these written words.

Reply

GinaParris October 21, 2010 at 12:42 am

Hey Doc! Thanks for stopping by and commenting. It is always a joy to see your face. You are a master of encouragement yourself.

Reply

PaulTTran October 18, 2010 at 8:08 pm

Hey Gina,

I appreciate the post very much; when workaholics, entrepreneurs, or rising stars do things that are above and beyond the comfort zone, the norm, and are determined the change the world, we are always met with resistance as we're trying to burst out of the box. And the resistance is very strong and is usually hurtful and adverse to our mission. I've always been taught that it's not what happens – it's how you handle it. It's all mental. I've learned not to get so defensive, emotional, or impulsive when seemingly negative things happen or when words are spoken. They may be going through some tough times and may not mean what they say. They may be totally misunderstanding something that they're attacking you for. They have no idea what you're all about, what you're made of, and so you shouldn't give in to an assumption. I love your idea about remixing things – especially when it comes from people you care and love – they may have the best intentions, but are saying it wrong. The list goes on with how you can see things.

Keep it up, G!

Reply

GinaParris October 19, 2010 at 1:26 pm

Paul – you seem like a master at never taking negative things personally when they come at you. I love that. Thanks so much for sharing your point of view. You are right – it's not what happens – its how we handle it that matters!

Reply

daniellemmiller October 18, 2010 at 10:26 pm

An amazing and powerful post Gina! Beyond athletes, it speaks to all of us who have had dreams, hopes and desires stunted because we believe someone else's opinion of who should be or what we can accomplish.

The blend of being in and out of your comfort zone is such a delicate one. It is imperative that we strengthen our resilience muscles and as you said “remix the clips” 🙂

Awesome!

Reply

GinaParris October 21, 2010 at 12:43 am

Yeah – why do we listen to the naysayers?? Thanks, Danielle!

Reply

JohnLusher October 21, 2010 at 12:36 am

I am honestly on the verge of being speechless at the powerful message of this post Gina. Wow. I am impressed with you all over again each time I read your writing. This message is one that we all need to hear, on a regular basis; whether we are eight or eighty; we need to remember how powerful criticism is and can be; both for the positive and the negative. Not only do we need to keep this in mind as we are criticized, but we need to stop and think before we criticize others. I believe this should be taught in school as well as to business owners! Very powerful!

Reply

GinaParris October 21, 2010 at 12:42 am

Thanks John. Its a amazing isn't it, how we can remember hurtful words years after they were spoken. I guess that does help us think before we speak. It's also great to change the meaning we give to past events. I think I did teach this stuff in school – I taught lots of leadership things when I was a teenager. Hahaha I knew everything back then!!

Reply

Allison Nazarian October 25, 2010 at 3:35 pm

Thanks, Gina, Very timely for me. Forgiveness is powerful, that I know intellectually. But in the moment, it is hard for me to know what to do specifically. I am one of those people who does well with step-by-step instructions — and that is actually what you have done here. Awesome. Thank you!

Reply

GinaParris October 25, 2010 at 8:03 pm

Allison – You are such a babe! Thanks for stopping by and commenting. I love this technique for scrambling up the nasty messages that people can throw our way. Somehow it feels ten times as effective when we practice it with someone else. It’s easier to laugh out loud about it. Of course God bless my clients. I often laugh harder than they do – but they keep coming back!
If anyone ever gets ugly with you just let me know. We’ll round up a posse and go get ’em!

Reply

Anonymous October 25, 2010 at 11:20 pm

Oh Gina, I can’t tell you much I needed to read this. With our wedding right around the corner (less than three weeks), it’s been bringing out the best and unfortunately the worst, in our friends and family members. In fact, just last week I had two nasty incidences with an uncle spewing lots of hurtful words. I’ve tried put the words in context of the person who is saying them, a very dysfunctional/hurting person, but his words did major damage nonetheless. I’m going to try the “remixing” exercise you mention above. You are right when you say that we all just want to have peace (i.e. freedom from annoyance) in our lives, and from these types of people and past situations.

You are an angel. Thank you for taking the time to hash out such a thoughtful, and helpful post.

Reply

GinaParris October 26, 2010 at 2:53 pm

Aw Rochelle, I hate that hurtful words have flown around you during what should be the most exciting time. I have total confidence that your wedding and your honeymoon will be so awesomely enjoyable!! Yes, do the stuff I describe in this post. You’ll soon be giggling at your silly Uncle! I love you.

Reply

Sandra Gardner October 26, 2010 at 3:09 pm

Gina, this is not only totally inspiring, but totally practical, too! I love the process you described. I use a similar process but hadn’t gotten it so streamlined. I am going to try it out the next time I’m in this situation.

Thank you for sharing…

-Sandra

Reply

GinaParris October 29, 2010 at 3:02 pm

Sandra, God bless you! I had missed your comment somehow. Thanks for stopping by and I’m glad you found the piece inspiring AND practical. That’s what I aim for.

Reply

sexygourmetchef May 5, 2013 at 11:34 pm

Thank-you Gina 🙂

Reply

Haibo! August 17, 2014 at 2:23 am

I still need to ‘relieve’ myself of the anger i have before attempting the above process. The anger doesn’t allow me to move forward…. perhaps the anger is too severe or the words were too hurtful ?

Reply

Deepak Rajpal October 1, 2014 at 2:04 am

You are right Gina, “You can rise above any words.”

Criticism is an integral part of success. It is important to accept criticism, learn from it or let it go.

I just wrote what i can say about criticism. Hope some agree with me.

http://visionshine.com/criticism-in-life/

Thanks for your nice article 🙂

Reply

Leave a Comment

{ 1 trackback }

Previous post:

Next post: