How to Manage Online Criticism

Here's an unexpected lesson I've learned over the last 5 years: Another person's critique of my work is not a criticism of me as a person. Maybe THEY intended it that way. But for my mental well-being, I've learned not to perceive it that way. Why? How? 1. Often, when I take a day to think about the feedback it helps me to remove my emotions out of things and look at things objectively. At this point, I ask, "Well, G, is the feedback true? Can it make your work better? Yes? Good! Then you have learned a valuable lesson on improving your work." 2. If the feedback is not useful, I can think through reasons why implementing the feedback will not improve my work. This way, if the person asks why I didn't implement the feedback, I can give them solid reasons. 3. If the feedback was a back-handed way to make me feel bad, I move on. Life is too short to deal with other people's insecurities masquerading as critique of me and my work. And by the way, all this is coming from someone who used to be super sensitive and cried at any hint of criticism. I still cry at sappy ads and movies just not this. 🤣 (Maybe it has something to do with getting older 😅) Your turn: how do you deal with feedback?

They say, "It's not personal, it's business"... 🤷🏼♀️ But anyone who's poured their heart into their work knows it's not that simple! Here's the thing about building something from scratch - it becomes your baby. And just like a proud parent, any criticism feels like a personal attack. 💔 There's a better way to handle criticism than taking it personally or becoming emotionally bulletproof. Here's what helped me: 👉🏼 Reframe criticism as fuel for growth. When customers share feedback directly, they're *actually* giving you a chance to make things right. 👉🏼 Create dedicated feedback channels. Give people a clear way to be heard. When feedback comes through channels you've created, it feels less like an attack and more like the business tool it should be. 👉🏼 Look for patterns, not perfection. You can't please everyone (trust me, I tried!). Instead of obsessing over every negative comment, watch for trends. 👉🏼 Know when to step back. Sometimes the best thing you can do is put someone else on the front lines - someone who can handle complaints with empathy but without the emotional attachment you have as the founder. 👉🏼 Remember your worth isn't tied to your business. This was the hardest lesson for me to learn, but it's crucial: your worth isn't measured by sales numbers, Yelp reviews, or daily challenges. Caring deeply about your business is a superpower 💪🏼 - it's what drives us to create exceptional products and experiences. The key is channeling that passion productively rather than letting it consume you. 🥰 If you want more inspiration on building your business and brand, sign up for my Sweet Success Newsletter 💌 https://lnkd.in/grCvrtAX

A mentor once gave feedback that kept me up all night. It wasn’t cruel. It wasn’t even wrong. But it hit something deep, and I couldn’t stop replaying it. That’s the thing about harsh criticism: It can hijack your mind even when it’s helpful. Here’s how I’ve learned to process it without spiraling: 1️⃣ Pause before reacting. Let your thinking brain catch up. 2️⃣ Separate tone from truth. Delivery ≠ value. 3️⃣ Drop the identity reflex. It’s about the action, not your worth. 4️⃣ Look for patterns. One comment = opinion. Several = signal. 5️⃣ Use it as a mirror, not a verdict. Reflect before you react. 6️⃣ Know who matters. Not all feedback deserves your energy. 7️⃣ Break the loop. Walk. Breathe. Write. Ground yourself. You don’t need to dissociate from criticism. You need to integrate it skillfully. ♻️ Repost if you’ve ever replayed a comment longer than it deserved. 🔔 Follow Matt Schnuck for insights on EQ, boundaries, and clear communication.