I almost ignored important feedback earlier this year.
I was surfing when my instructor yelled, “TURN TO THE RIGHT!” as I was catching a wave.
It wasn’t gentle or detailed. No prep or encouraging pep talk. Just a sharp, clear directive. I was irritated.
“Why am I paying to be yelled at?” I thought.
In hindsight, it was exactly what I needed in the moment. I’d told him my goal, and he helped me get there.
But how often do we dismiss feedback? Not because it’s wrong, but because of how it’s delivered. Or who it’s coming from or what we think we deserve.