We’ve begun receiving feedback on Echo Conference via our response forms. We asked what people liked about Echo and what we could improve for next year. The first one I read was so harsh, it was almost comical. And it was harsh toward me. I actually burst out laughing it was so horrible.
But it didn’t really hurt me. I knew he was one of the people we just weren’t going to please. I understand, there are always people like that. The next fifty or so were mostly positive. They were filled with great feedback, suggestions, and encouragements. There were a few negative things peppered in here or there…but nothing bad.
So why did I feel beat up and depressed one-hundred surveys into the process? I had prepared myself mentally for this sort of thing. I knew there was room to improve. I already had my own list of things to work on, and I knew I’d be adding quite a few things to the list.
The problem is this: I’m not meant to hear all that feedback. With each new survey I opened, “I hope this person thought the conference was perfect.” And while many actually made that comment, we were asking where we could improve. We were asking for criticism.
Run a project by any person in the world. They’ll be able to pick out at least ten things they think you should change. That’s just life. But when you hear two hundred people telling you what they would change, you’re going to get depressed. You aren’t meant to handle that much crticism.
So I put the surveys away. I went to lunch. I chatted up my buddy and laughed. I felt better. Then I left them in a folder for later. I’m going to let someone else compile the criticism for me so I can read it later.
I don’t need to put myself through this.
Sometimes we just have to work. Sometimes we have to ignore and put the criticism away. Work. Do good. When you need feedback, check the surveys. But don’t subject yourself to all that hoping people will praise you and boost your ego. It won’t happen. And that’s okay.
Good thoughts, Jonathan. I filled out a survey and I tried to put myself in the shoes of someone reading it. Sometimes, people don’t realize that there is a way to be heard and there is a way to bring hurt. I love this last line you wrote:
“…don’t subject yourself to all that hoping people will praise you and boost your ego. It won’t happen. And that’s okay.”
I appreciate your gentleness. 😛
Good thoughts, Jonathan. I filled out a survey and I tried to put myself in the shoes of someone reading it. Sometimes, people don’t realize that there is a way to be heard and there is a way to bring hurt. I love this last line you wrote:
“…don’t subject yourself to all that hoping people will praise you and boost your ego. It won’t happen. And that’s okay.”
I appreciate your gentleness. 😛