We always are so hard on ourselves when it comes to certain things, for example maintaining high grades, projects, and jobs. We always want to do our very best even if it means losing sleep, or making yourself sick over it. It is just how we are, and it is a challenge to be anything else, but being extremely hard on ourselves; because, in today’s society everyone seems to be in competition with each other. Everyone wants to be better than the other person. We want, no need to be on top, and it is hard to maintain that high status unless you work for hours on end to keep it. When it comes to projects, whether for school or work we always want to do our very best. It is not always easy when you work hard then you hear people criticize your work saying that it is not good, or you could of have done better. Most of time after hearing things like you feel angry, upset, and ready to have a meltdown. Sometimes we tend to tend to think “how could you say that”, or “I worked forever and you don’t even like it!” This unfortunately is what happens all over the world in every aspect of life, and there is nothing you can do about it.

As humans we cannot always handle hearing the truth, we do not like to hear that we are not good at something. We are striving to always be better than the other person; however, this feeling is not always a bad thing, but it can make life very hard to handle if a little criticism makes you upset. When we ask for feedback we always hope for people to bend the truth, and not be brutally honest. Sometimes when people are being brutally honest our self-esteem is lowered, and this can make trying to maintain a high status even harder and more stressful to keep. If we are not open to other people’s input, we will never be the best we can be. It is always helpful to hear what others have to say; because, sometimes what they say can be the best advice you could ever receive.

It is very difficult to imagine criticism being helpful; because, criticism can be viewed as a bad thing, and it is hard to accept the honest truth out about how people feel or view you work. An example of good criticism is, however, popular within the art world. Artists want to hear what people have to say about their work. The feedback allows them to go back and create even something better than before taking that criticism and turning it into something positive. Being a photography major we have critiques in school all the time, but to be honest, like everyone, I sometimes do not like to hear the negative comments of my work. During critiques you hear what others have to say whether it is from a professional point of view, or your peers point of view. Critiques will always get you positive and negative views on what you did but as long as you always keep an open mind this feedback will help you thrive and become the best you can be. When I have my pictures critiqued I try to keep an open mind to what others have to say, even though it is still not enjoyable to hear that your final project wasn’t the next best thing next to a Picasso. You have to stop and think that there is the off possibility of those critiquing your work of not understanding what you were trying to convey in your artwork. This is my opinion is the biggest let down anyone can hear whether it be in art or other walks of life, and hearing that what you did was not clear to others can make you question weather you are good enough to continue what you love. The main thing is to focus on the positive side of your critical encounters and there is no doubt what you thought was an awful experience could turn out to be your biggest assent in your life and career.