Mindfulness and meditation create space between thoughts and actions, allowing for a break to avoid defensiveness and listen. Negative feedback can be seen as a growth opportunity if it's not a personal attack. It's important to discern whose feedback to value and see it as a learning opportunity. Listening with an open mind to respected individuals' feedback can lead to personal growth and development.
When someone comes to you with negative feedback, do you get defensive?
Do you automatically come up with reasons why you did something, building a case for the way you did it?
Do you shift the blame onto someone else?
Or does your heart start racing?
If this resonates, you are not alone. It is human to want to defend your choices, actions, and beliefs.
But defensiveness damages our relationships, which is why this episode is all about becoming more aware of defensive behavior and what you can do instead.
I am covering the signs and symptoms of defensiveness, why we get defensive in the first place, and strategies you can use to become less defensive.
Read the show notes for today's episode at terricole.com/548