Receiving corrections well: how to benefit from feedback

Feedback is sought by many people.
Sometimes, we get more than we bargained for. That can test our motives for seeking it in the first place.
If we simply are looking for someone to tell us we’re doing great, even if we are not, then the feedback is wasted. You can just look in the mirror and tell yourself how great you’re doing, then go back to doing the same sub-standard things you were doing before.
So if you just want that, don’t bother someone else to supply it for you.
A “second set of eyes” can be a valuable source of improvement or a point of aggravation. Sometimes the difference in how you interpret the feedback is whether you asked for it or not.
You can hear negative feedback in both cases, and some will prefer to hear only what they’ve asked for and reject the rest.
It has been my experience that I can benefit from either one.
Here’s why:
Truth is truth regardless of who speaks it or what their motives are
Just ponder that for a moment.
If I had asked for some feedback and was told something I needed to hear, and it helped me, that’s great. I can make improvements based on that.
Suppose the feedback was not asked for, but was still valid. Does that mean I should categorically reject it and then rant about it?
Not at all, because I can still make improvements based on that information.
The more I train the more areas I find that I need improvement in.
There is an expression I use often, “Be humble or be humbled.”
If we reject good information due to an over-inflated ego, we can continue doing what we “just know” is the right way (regardless of the facts staring us in the face) often limiting our future performance or risking an injury.
However, the better choice is to evaluate the information. See if what you just received has some merit or not. Test it out, and be honest with yourself (this could be a new experience for ego-driven people).
If the information makes sense, put in to, practice and work on improving that weak area. Down the line, you’ll be a better athlete for it.