by Merci Gracia | Oct 14, 2018 | Advice
If someone has a problem with your behavior, you can respond by feeling bad, fighting back or, if you want to benefit, consider their opinion as valid information that could help you improve your way of being in the world. The willingness to entertain their...
by Merci Gracia | Apr 7, 2018 | Advice, Feedback
Constructive criticism can sometimes feel like an assault on our personal value, but the ability to open to healthy advice without being defensive helps us perceive parts of our work, personality and behavior that we may be blind to. Remembering that our behavior...
by Merci Gracia | Jun 6, 2015 | Advice, Control
It’s tempting to volunteer advice when we think others have made an unwise move or acted inappropriately, but there are two problems with giving this kind of counsel. First, we can’t know for sure how their behavior will actually play out in the world or...
by Merci Gracia | Oct 23, 2013 | Advice, Empowering
It’s rarely a good strategy to share your ideas in their infant stage of development. A critical comment from someone can be demoralizing. Though it’s tempting to seek positive feedback early on, the potentially disastrous impact of well-intentioned (or...
by Merci Gracia | Aug 9, 2013 | Advice, Beliefs, interpretation
Almost anything can be seen as either good or bad – it just depends on your point of view. The way something appears to you is based on your interpretation, which is formed through the lens of your belief system. Just becoming aware that you are seeing through a...
by Merci Gracia | Jun 28, 2013 | Advice, Attention, Judgments
Friends sometimes need to process their feelings out loud. It may seem like they’re asking for your advice, but they really just want you to listen. When you can stay neutral and be present for their need be heard without having to express your (undoubtedly...