Be Open to Receiving Feedback

Ours is a world of rapid change.

The evolution theory suggests that only those who are prepared to, (and capable of), change will survive.

Some people seem to live their life, year in year out, with relatively little change. Shut off from new ideas, experiences or feedback that might push them to change or question their life choices. Even when their life is less than they would like, they resist anything that may put them out of their comfort zone.

Don't be blind to how your beliefs, emotions, thinking and behavior might be limiting your progress. You transform neither yourself nor your workplace when you do this.

On the Success Formula page, I shared with you that the first step in Powerful Performance is Awareness.  

Seeking Out and Receiving Feedback is One Way of Gaining Awareness.

Feedback enables you to become aware of what you are doing that is limiting your success. You want to adopt this awareness concept. Because it opens you to new information and ideas, new mindsets and thinking patterns. When you are open and receptive, you can use your insights to make choices about how to direct or re-direct your life to more powerfully recognize your potential.

However, there is a downside to Awareness and Receiving Feedback! At times it may cause you to experience inner conflict, turmoil, and chaos as you begin to meet your 'real' self. Facing up to others perceptions can be uncomfortable and can lead to defensiveness and anxiety.

The flip side though, is that if you remain closed off to feedback from others, you limit your ability to have more powerful relationships. The wise person appreciates the discomfort, as they know they are probably about to breakthrough to a new level of performance.

Be Wary of Getting Defensive When You are Receiving Feedback

If you get defensive, whenever someone provides you with feedback, people won't tell you the things you need to hear. As a result, you stop learning and growing. Go here to discover more about how to avoid getting defensive.

You'll know you are defensive if you find yourself denying, ridiculing, blaming, laying fault elsewhere or projecting. And, be very clear that defensiveness could just be happening in your mind. You may well be nodding at the other person on the outside. But, on the inside, you've pulled up the drawbridge and shut out the feedback! Which is just as self-defeating.

Rather than spending energy defending yourself, you are better served looking for ways that what you are hearing can enable you to be a better version of you.

Still Learn Even When the Feedback is Poorly Delivered

At times you may receive feedback which is delivered poorly or with ill intent. Feedback that is meant to punish rather than support on-going growth. Simply thank the person for sharing their thoughts. Then assume self-responsibility for taking what is relevant to your personal growth and discard the rest.

Just because you get feedback, doesn't mean you have to change. I've received plenty of feedback over the years (and often delivered with good intent) that I've chosen to ignore.

Not because the other person was wrong. Simply because, I checked in with my internal guidance system (my emotions) and decided that in this instance, I didn't want to make use of their feedback. My emotional guidance system was letting me know that I was okay with how things were.

If you are happy and content ... there's nothing to change :) .... with the caveat that ....

The world is changing. Don't sit and be happy if you aren't keeping up. Survival of the fittest is real. Whether you're an antelope on the plains, a typewriter competing with iPads, or a policeman in Dubai.

Did you know that by 2025, robots will replace 30% of the Dubai police-force? Which percentage would you want to be in? The replaced 30%? Or, the 70% that increased their value in some way? Because rest assured, robots are here!

If you are going to be in the 70% that keep their jobs, then you'd best get good at seeking out and receiving feedback. That way you'll not just survive, but thrive!