Tag: betterment

It is easier to criticize than to do better

What makes the criticism so horrible? This word itself generates a feeling of discomfort, isn’t it? It is said that the human tongue is more poisonous than a bee’s sting, figuratively. And, no way on earth, you could have escaped from this bitter experience. Can you relate to this challenge? If yes, then this blog is for you, my friend!

There are two types of criticism: constructive and destructive. There is no clear cut demarcation between the two, but it totally depends on the intention of the critic and, of course, you. It takes only a few words and a few seconds to come out of someone’s mouth but can have a lifetime impact on someone.

Frank A. Clark once said – “Criticism, like rain, should be gentle enough to nourish a man’s growth without destroying his roots.”

Those who give you constructive criticism are definitely your well-wishers as they come up with a solution for the problems they are pointing out or suggest you some ways to improve yourself. If you are on the way of betterment, welcome this constructive criticism with an open heart.

But here comes the main villain ‘the destructive criticism’ which has given this bad name to the criticism and which comes into action only to demoralize you. Hurt your confidence, self-esteem, and dignity. Question your abilities and add more insults to injury.

Some people have taken it as a personal affair to copyedit the people around themselves for self-satisfaction, fuel their superiority. They want to change you just for having a different opinion from them. The motto of destructive criticism is to control you, your mind, your feelings, and emotions, in short (#) puppet of their hands.Is there anybody in the world who says they are handing out destructive criticism? No, don’t think so!

Remember, what Aristotle once said, -“Criticism is something we can avoid easily by saying nothing, doing nothing, and being nothing.” Would you like to be like that?

Here, I would like to tell you a story with a pinch of a tweak but an impressive message in it.

One fine day two Crabs came out from their home to take a stroll on the sand. The elder crab was watching the younger crab and started criticizing for not walking properly. He suggested him to walk straight forward, without twisting from side to side. The younger crab tried a lot but failed each time. Then he said to the elder crab -“set the example yourself, and I will follow you.” Now the elder crab showed him how to walk. But, hang on a minute, what was that? He himself was walking sideways. He was unable to walk straight, however hard he tried.

Moral of the story: Criticizing someone is very easy, but setting an example is quite difficult. In other words, it is easier to criticize than to do better.

This story justifies the thought of Channing Pollock on the matter once said: “a critic is a legless man who teaches running.”

These people are always on the high horse and try to belittle you. They love futile arguments and are the ultimate energy vampires. Be aware of such people around you and distance them if you can. Don’t let them steal your peace of mind, control your emotions, and play the blame game. Be happy, be yourself. Be inspired by the thought of Zig Ziglar-

“Don’t be distracted by criticism. Remember: the only taste of success some people have is when they take a bite out of you.”

What do you want to be – Perfect or Exceptional?

There is an old saying, “practice makes a man perfect”. Do you agree with that?

Is there any measuring scale for perfection? Is it a universal scale for everyone? When we appraise someone superior or inferior based on comparisons, we just forget that we are talking about two different human beings. That ‘Supreme power’ has created us with unique DNA pattern and fingerprints, having different talents and potential with a different question paper to answer. So how can we compare ourselves to others? Our motto is to improve ourselves, so the competition must be with our own self. Never measure your progress on someone else’s criteria. For years, perfection and success are considered to be inseparable and complementary to each other. That’s why it is deep-rooted in our minds that to achieve success, we need to be perfect. And many of us wait for this perfection even if it’s just to break out of our shells. Don’t you think this will happen the day when pigs fly? 😄

It’s just an excuse for procrastination. Remember what Tim Notke once quoted – Hard work beats talent when talent doesn’t work hard. And how can we forget Paul Arden’s views on the matter – Instead of waiting for perfection, run with what you do, and fix it along the way…!

You can achieve excellence, but not perfection. It’s an illusion that never exists and suits to robots only. Yes! To robots, because they are a machine, and a machine isn’t allowed to commit mistakes. But we do and learn as well. After all, to err is human. The day you think it to be perfect, that feeling saturates you. If you attain perfection, it’s quite difficult to stop there and maintain your sanity. And remember, perfect often degrades.

In this whole ‘life process’, the process of betterment, we have overlooked the importance of ‘practice’ that’s the key to success. There is no alternative to this. It is the only way to turn your good into great, ordinary into extraordinary. The more you practice, the better you will be.

Let me tell you a real story!

In the 1920s, there was a “Charlie Chaplin look-alike competition” to search for people who look exactly like, Charlie Chaplin. Secretly, Charlie Chaplin also participated in that contest. You will be amazed to know that he stood ‘third’ in that contest. Two more people looked exactly like him. This could be redeemed only by practice as there is always a scope of betterment.

Similarly, if we look at inventions, the invention of the telephone by Graham Bell was a revolutionary step in social interaction. And as a result of that innovation, today we are using smartphones. No doubt Graham Bell is the trailblazer of this technology, but still, there is always a scope of improvement.

Perfection is just like a mirage. There’s no point chasing it. Instead, focus on excellence. Keep trying to achieve your goals to improve yourself. The beauty of life doesn’t lie in perfection but continuous improvement. So, practice and practice, and remember – practice makes a man exceptional.  

“When you aim for perfection, you discover it’s a moving target.”——George Fisher