Have you ever changed you behavior after someone criticized you for it?

Question

is criticism a good motivator for change? why do you think so?

you can share personal examples, if you like.

Answer 1

Yes, I changed my behavior as a result of criticism. Ultimately, though I think it was the realization that I could not continue with the way things were heading that made all the difference. Criticism will only really work when given in a constructive manner and the recipient is open to a bit of self analysis.

In my case, getting locked up may have had something to do with it too.

Answer 2

Yes, to your first and second question. If you're mature enough to handle criticism, you can actually benefit from it by looking at it seriously, and decide if you want to continue with the behavior that's in question, or change. For example...I have the tendancy to make the statement, "Don't get your undies in a wad". While that's something I would normally say when telling someone to take a chill pill, someone else pointed out that it didn't sound lady-like. When I thought about it, I had to agree. So, I don't say that phrase anymore. Since I want to be seen as a lady, and not a hoyden, the change was good. It's also not very becoming of a Christian lady to say stuff like that. So, the criticism was well aimed, deserved and well taken. It also depends on who's giving the criticism, as some people just say things to be cruel, with no thought of your feelings. Proverbs 27:6 says, "Faithful are the wounds of a friend". When a friend is pointing out your faults, special consideration should be taken, as we often don't see ourselves as we should. It's a very mature person who can stand back and take inventory of theirselves, weeding out the things that just don't work. That's called growth. Only the dead don't grow. And we all have room for growth. <*)))><

Answer 3

"Blessed is the man who can take bricks thrown at him and build a strong foundation."

Sometimes I feel critics are like needles in a balloon factory, simply looking for an opportunity to "pop" my project, "blow away" new ideas or "deflate" recent accomplishments. On the other hand, Norman Vincent Peale says, "The trouble with most of us is that we would rather be ruined by praise than saved by criticism." A balance of praise and criticism are required to achieve a successful personal and professional life.

All of us will be criticized at one time or other. In fact, if you are a creative person, committed to excellence, you'll be surrounded by critics. Ben Franklin was criticized for flying a kite in an electrical storm. President George W. Bush was criticized by actor Richard Gere for declaring war on Osama Bin Laden. You will be criticized for making excellence your goal, sharing your faith, taking a stand, accepting a leadership position, not compromising your principles, speaking out or implementing change.

Critics and criticism will come your way if you're leading the implementation and use of Activity Based Management (ABM), Six Sigma or any other process of improvement. There will be critics of your good work, bad work or your inactivity. Therefore, it's important to understand the sources of criticism and determine what you're going to do when it comes your way. Are you going to throw the "bricks" back, duck, or use them to build a strong foundation?

Answer 4

Yes, and the trick is not to take it personally so that it works to your advantage.
I've never thought I was always on the defensive until someone at a workshop pointed it out to me. At first I was outraged because I've never been accused of being defensive; offensive, yes, but not defensive! After some fervent self-examination, I realized that indeed I was. By being aware of this trait, I'd stop myself before I was on the defensive again and used this to my advantage. When I went to interview for a supervisor's position, I accepted my superior's criticism gracefully and I got the promotion!!!

Answer 5

Some yes and some no.

I still eat whatever the hell I'd like, so what if my brother's an @$$ and calls me tundra butt, I could be 100lbs and he'd still call me that!

I have changed the way I talk about people I know. I try to be less critical and judgemental when I was told "Boy, I hope you don't judge me like that" I appologized and said "You're right, it's not right to talk crossly about someone when they aren't here to defend their actions".

Answer 6

It depends on how strong the citicism is. If it is too heavy there is always the tendancy for the recipient to become defensive.

I have always found that praising the postive behaviour, as well as making reference to the negative, tends to be more effective. It is all very well saying that something is 'bad' and should not be done, but how is the person to know what they should be doing instead?

Answer 7

Yes, I have, and I'm glad they spoke up. There's a difference, though, between criticism and insults. It's good to offer help in a kindly manner, it's brutal to just insult people who can't change. So, it's okay to say to a friend, "Hey, I have some thoughts that might help you, would you be open to that?" It's bad to say, "Grandma, you're all wrinkly and you smell bad" since she probably can't do much about it.

Answer 8

I dont think I have but I dont think criticism changes the way someone acts because they usually take it personally and get defensive about it....

Answer 9

I would say yes, for example being someone from the East, it's customary for woman to be well-behaved & soft-spoken. Now I am loud, heck, my whole family is loud, but when it's time for social gathering, my mom would remind us to carry ourself in soft-spoken, well-behaved, etc way.

Personally, as an adult, it's hard for me to accept criticism, but I try to remember that it's for my own good, I can either accept it or be bothered about it, so I choose to accept it with an open heart. It's not easy, but one must certainly try.

I would say that we shouldn't critizise unless we know that we are already 110% perfect in department that we are going to criticzise, if it makes any sense.

Hope it helps! :)

Answer 10

The only think I can think of was when I was in my older teens. I used to bite my nails real bad. I was at this big outting thing and someone came over and said "OMG look at her nails....". My parents tried everything as a child to get me to not do that. But this one moment was what stopped me from biting my nails and I have great long nails now.
Stange eh?