Feedback for Learning - Thoughts.

Feedback is valuable information that is used to make important decisions. Effective feedback has benefits for the giver, the receiver and the wider organization. 

Thoughts on Feedback

For this blog I read "Why rejection hurts so much" by Guy Winch.

It was one of the first titles that stood out to me because it's not only very relatable, but can also occur quite often in every day life, as Winch states, we're all part of an online social society, where it is much easier to be ignored, blocked or even verbally abused, as nothing is face to face which eliminates an empathetic feel, leaving us feeling rejected.

"The greatest damage rejection causes is usually self-inflicted. Just when our self-esteem is hurting most, we go and damage it even further"

I found this quote to be very powerful and thought evoking, but Winch explains that it's completely normal and that's just how our brains respond or react when rejected because emotional pain can affect us the same way physical pain does. 

Winch suggests ways to overcome the feeling of rejection, one of which stood out to me, being  to "revive your self worth". In this paragraph he talks about how its normal for your self esteem to drop every now again, but when it does remember how much you have to offer, and don't dwell on your bad qualities but instead make a list of your good qualities, once established physically write a paragraph or so explaining why these qualities not only matter to you but to others. He finishes the paragraph by saying "applying emotional first aid in this way will boost your self-esteem, reduce your emotional pain and build your confidence going forward."

Overall, I really enjoyed reading his article. It made me understand that I'm not the only one who feels terrible after getting rejected, not only that but I now know ways to overcome the negative emotions I get from being rejected.

You choose how to give and perceive feedback.

Source here.

The second article I read was "Seven ways to crush self doubt" by John Spencer.

Spencer opens the article with his own self doubt that he's experienced through his life, but one thing remains the same, we all experience it and it's completely normal. 

However, even though the feeling is completely normal, it has a negative impact on us, which in effect can impact and create a negative growth mindset. Spencer clearly expresses ways in which he believes you can overcome these pessimistic feelings.

The first solution he gives, which I think was the most important, is to not compare yourself to others. I think this is so crucial for crushing self doubt. I have fallen into this complication many times of accidentally or deliberately comparing myself to others, but something I had to learn is at the end of the day I'm not them and they are not me. Everyone has their own qualities that perhaps other people wish they had. At the end of the day you should focus on being the best you rather than like another person.

His fourth solution was how to embrace growth mindset. I thought this was relatable as this module has taught me a lot about my own mindset and how to keep it growing. I think this is another important point he made because maintaining a healthy growing mindset allows you to think a lot and value yourself as a person, thus eliminating the feeling of self doubt.

Lastly Spencer says that trusting yourself can help you overcome self doubt. I think this is almost self explanatory because if you don't trust or believe in yourself no one else will. You know yourself the best out of anyone else in the world, you should believe in yourself and your abilities.

I really enjoyed this article, I think it was nicely displayed with a lot of useful tips and nice illustrations.

Overall this task was really beneficial as well as inspiring. In terms of feedback, everyone has different opinions and views and not everyone will agree with your work, which could leave you feeling as described above, rejected or a sense of self doubt, but it's all completely normal and there are ways to overcome these feelings.