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8th November, 2021

The word ‘criticism’ has somewhat been devoured by its negative connotations. Criticism is therefore often synonymised as discouragement or even slander. But this is an altogether unfair and unbalanced way to talk about criticism. We must never forget the constructive side of criticism.

On this very podcast, I recently had someone kindly reach out to provoke me into considering other platforms on which the content could be hosted. I was being too restrictive, too obvious in terms of whose platform to use.

For a completely separate project (related to the preparation of my book), someone else contacted me to point out that the way in which is framed a particular topic of discussion might not sit well with those I seek to serve.

In both cases, I could so easily have put up the defences, to have interpreted both points of criticism as negative. Not the case. Instead, it’s important to realise that every comment, every review, every note of consideration must be remembered as someone giving up their time - their most precious and non-renewable resource - to look at your work. In my case, both these people served to improve my output and helped me see what I couldn’t before.

Such optimism might be unthinkable when you receive a one-star review or a particularly scathing manuscript referee’s report. Nonetheless, no matter how seemingly bitter or misplaced, those people, those who most lean in to the negative side of criticism, are diverting their time to you.

Invite all criticism, good, bad, callous, constructive, or other, and consider how it helps you rather than hinders you.

If you have a question for Marc, upload an audio recording for it to be featured on a later Q&A episode!