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The journey to success is long, with lonely roads, epic failures, mad efforts, and experiences that come with joy and pain. The world is growing fast, and we are now in the era of technology & social media. As a result, digital skills are highly in demand. Every day, more people are getting into tech, now that the field is broad and competitive, with experts and newbies all striving for success.

The use of social media has increased dramatically in recent years & has become a vital part of our daily lives by allowing us to connect with people by sharing our thoughts and experiences online. Many people get their first gig through social media, and while the story is different for others, social media is like a nightmare to them. The truth is it can’t treat everyone the same. If others make friends, others will make enemies, others will be uninspired and intimidated, and others will see hope and get inspired. Social media is another realm on its own.

I recently realized that social media is an open platform, a no man’s land which makes people free to express themselves through their words and deeds. You could be a Content Creator on Tiktok or Instagram, a Writer, a Programmer, or a UX Designer. Social Media will connect you to people with similar skills, they will view your post, comment on it and react to it, and you will do the same. You will be flattered while also terrified by cyberbullies’ unpleasant comments. What you see can either make you or break you. It all depends on how you respond to it.

The comment and reactions people get after sharing their content play a huge role in their life and the development of their skills entirely. It also determines how their relationship with people will be online.

What you create is yours, but the moment you share, it becomes part of the world, and people will react.

We return to the shell whenever we read negative comments about the work we shared online. Those with a fragile mentality stop creating and sharing, while those who are shy keep Creating but don’t share, all because someone said something we didn’t expect to hear or read. People developing a skill feel criticism is a way of telling them they’re not good enough.

You accept compliments with flattery but hate negative feedback, criticism is unavoidable unless you aim to be nobody and do nothing. What people say or will say in your comment section could be a point of view you implied as criticism, sometime it could be constructive criticism, but because you are at the receiving end, you resent those feedback and term it as fault finding.

Well, maybe the critic sees what you don’t see, not all critics are faultfinders, and some are problem solvers*.*

Accept your imperfections, be more patient with your result, and keep sharing your work with positive energy, love, and enthusiasm. Having negative comments and criticism shows you’re not alone. Courage does not reside in the opinion of others but in your own heart, the courage that has no fear of criticism and cyberbullies. Recalibrate your view, Stop living for other people’s approval, and live for your purpose.

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It is better to see a comment about my work rather than none at all. Many of us make the mistake of sharing our work to be validated, only to receive criticism that hurts our feelings. Whenever you upload content, is not everyone's responsibility to adore everything about your content. Someone must drill you by asking strategic questions and judging your skills and the quality of your work.

The bitter truth is Internet bullies are here to stay, I got used to them, and I strongly suggest you do the same.

Becoming socially awkward will only make you drift away; it should be more about pushing limits and going beyond your emotions and personal ego to achieve your goal.

My mentor once said he sometimes shares his work with deliberate mistakes so he can get the attention of someone better than him through criticism. That’s a good strategy that shows desire, humility, and willingness to learn.

The starting point of all achievement is desire, keep this constantly in mind. Weak desires bring the weak result, just as a small fire makes a small amount of heat- Napoleon Hill.

Did the last comment traumatize you?

Is your Self-esteem threatened?

You think you’re not good enough, don’t you?

Whenever you pay unhealthy attention to criticism, your emotions will interpret wrongly, and it begins to plant a seed in your mind. You stop working on yourself, and you stop chasing your dreams by accepting Yes, I’m not good enough, and I can’t be better. That is self-doubt speaking because you’re not ready for the emotional battle that comes with the job. What we create is excellence in our eyes, but it could be average in the eyes of someone. We can’t blame them; they have a better experience, or probably they’re just here to make you learn the hard way. Take corrections, accept you’re not an expert, own your mistakes, embrace your ignorance, learn from it, and improve on it.

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Keynote

· Critics have the right to criticize your work whether you deserve it or not. It doesn’t necessarily represent oppression but a right to openness.

· Some of the negative comments you read about your work are a reaction from someone that wants you to improve and do better.

· Considering the source (Who’s criticizing you is vital), the scrutiny can be from an expert with more ability and experience than you. They saw the flaws in your work and pointed them out, be wise and pay less attention to their choice of words and be teachable.

· Criticism leads to interactions between subordinates and provides directions for corrections. It’s more like a paradox.

· Ask questions after reading comments and feedback, and be curious to hear someone’s suggestions about your work. The learning process never ends.

· Most time, an expert criticizes your work to bring out the best quality and standard of a product, and no one is trying to punish you.

· One who is critical of your work can become a friend, a mentor, an accountability partner, or an inspiration. It is possible to build relationships when you don’t allow your emotions to get over you after reading negative feedback.

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Roy T Benneth, Once said do not let arrogance go to your head and despair to your heart, do not let compliment go to your head and criticism to your heart; do not let success go to your head and failure to your heart.

The moment you let the negative energy of criticism interfere with your self-esteem and self-worth, it begins to change who you are and how you perceive the world around you. Shield your heart, deaf your ears from negative things you read, and build more passion towards your work. The only way to overcome criticism is to learn to live with it, build upon it, and grow from it.

Thanks for reading.