"واقعاً به انتقادات منفی توجه کنید و آن را به‌ویژه از دوستان درخواست کنید"

Listening to negative feedback, especially from friends, can be one of the most challenging yet valuable practices you can adopt. Why? Because it's often the harsh truths that spur the most significant growth. When someone who cares about you points out your flaws, they're not doing it to bring you down—they're doing it to help you rise higher.

Think about it. When you’re only surrounded by people who sing your praises, you get a skewed perspective of your abilities and areas for improvement. Friends who are honest with you, even when it stings, are like precious gems in your social circle. They’re the ones who’ll tell you if your idea has holes or if your behavior is out of line. And that's essential for personal and professional growth.

Take Thomas Edison, for instance. He famously said, "I have not failed. I've just found 10,000 ways that won't work." Imagine if Edison had ignored all the negative feedback and critical voices. We might still be living in a world without electric light. It's likely that his colleagues and friends gave him plenty of "negative" feedback, pointing out the flaws in his designs. But instead of getting defensive, he listened, learned, and improved.

So how do you apply this wisdom in your own life? Start by actively seeking out feedback from those you trust. When a friend offers criticism, don’t brush it off. Lean in. Listen. Reflect on what they’re saying. Even if it hurts, there's probably a nugget of truth in there that you can use to become better.

Imagine you’re working on a big presentation at work. You think it’s pretty solid, but you decide to run it by a close friend first. This friend knows you well and cares about your success. They point out that your slides are too cluttered and that you tend to speak too quickly when you’re nervous. Ouch. It’s not easy hearing this, but it’s exactly what you need to make your presentation stronger. You take their advice to heart, streamline your slides, and practice slowing down your speech. The end result? Your presentation is a hit.

Alternatively, think about training for a marathon. You’ve been running for a while and you feel pretty good about your pace. But a friend who’s more experienced in running tells you that your form is off. At first, you might feel a bit defensive. You've been running for months! But then you remember that they're trying to help. You take their advice, adjust your form, and soon find that you can run longer distances without getting as tired.

In both these scenarios, the key is openness. It's about setting aside your initial defensiveness and really listening. It helps to remind yourself that the goal is to improve, not to be perfect right away.

So next time you receive negative feedback, especially from a friend, think of it as a gift. It’s a chance to see yourself from a different perspective and an opportunity to grow. Embrace it, learn from it, and watch how it propels you forward.