Feedback is your friend.

Last Time on Progress Guild

The articles over the past few weeks have been about growth. Specifically, personal growth that helps you achieve an outcome. The final step in the process is one that is feared by many, but it doesn’t have to be. In fact, there are some simple approaches that might make this step your favorite.

Last week we discussed step 2 – Act. Today’s focus is going to be on step three of the Growth Cycle – Feedback.

It’s Not What You Think…

People don’t like being criticized. It can make you feel icky, like you’re not doing a good job, or that you’re “bad” at something.

If this sounds like you, I have great news. Feedback isn’t about you. 

I’ll say it again.

Feedback isn’t about you.

You may be thinking, well, if it’s not about me, then what is it about?

I’m glad you asked.

It’s really…

someone else’s description of what they see. That’s all. And typically after someone tells you what they see, they give suggestions on how to better align with the desired outcome. This is also using their own perception.

This might be hard to hear – it’s your choice to take personal offense to the feedback you receive.

Art you create isn’t you. Presentations you give aren’t you. Your physical appearance isn’t you, not really. And when I say you I mean that these things aren’t you as a human being. We can pour our heart and soul into these areas, but if we took them all away, we’d still have you, and that’s far more valuable than some realize.

Just because I say it, it doesn’t make it easier to embrace.

Don’t worry, I’m not going to leave you hanging.

Be Fearless in the Face of Feedback in 3 Simple Steps

Look familiar? 😉

Learn

• First, as you receive feedback, pretend you are an observer on the outside looking in. For instance, if you were receiving feedback on a speech you gave, you’d start by imagining the speech was a physical object you could see and touch. Remember, the speech isn’t you, the speech was trying to achieve an outcome.
• From this perspective, take in the feedback. Did your vision match with the feedback giver’s vision? What helped the outcome? What got in the way? What can you take action on?

Act

• Next, if you’re able, ask probing questions to gain greater insight. Questions like, how did you come to that conclusion? What have you seen others do in the past? You said I could be more detailed here, what specifically do you mean?
• Take notes during this process. You’ll use these notes to reflect on and inform future actions.

Feedback

• Finally, it’s time to reflect. What did you learn? What will you change? Will you change anything at all?
• Document how you felt. Were you nervous or scared? Did the feedback make you angry? If so, why do you think that is?
• Also document any insight that you gained. Maybe a line of questioning led to an epiphany. Or maybe you’ve learned some new tools to use for the next round of feedback. Write it down!

That’s it! That’s the entire Growth Cycle!

I hope you had as much fun learning about it as I had fun teaching it.

Until then, continue making your productivity effortless. If you aren’t seeing the progress you’d like, ask yourself, “how can I make this even easier to start?”

You’ve got this!

Questions for You

 Where in your life are you stuck on the feedback step?

How could you reframe feedback as something you crave?

We’re can you practice giving feedback?

​

I’d love to hear from you! Comment Below!

Disclaimer: Any links or mentions of companies/brands included in this newsletter are for educational use only. I’m not currently endorsing or affiliated with any products/companies/brands shared in this newsletter. Posts are inspired by my own experiences and research in various topics. I’m a student of the progress process.