Feedback is a gift that a lot of people don’t receive well. Thankfully, I have a good brother, friend, and adviser, Mark Cloutier, who helps me see these things. We have had many conversations on the topic of feedback and why we should appreciate the gift that it is.

This got me thinking about an easy comparison to that of a Christmas gift. Feedback is like a gift you receive on Christmas morning: some gifts you love, some you return or re-gift, and some you throw away.
In my life, I receive lots of feedback and criticism (which is just harsh feedback), and I do my best to receive it as a gift. But, once I receive it, I get to do what I want to with it.

I think too many times people believe feedback is something they have to act upon, which is why it upsets them. I say NO, you don’t have to act upon it, but you do need to listen, appreciate, and ponder how it applies. Then, decide what you want to do with it: love it, return it, re-gift it, or throw it away.