Monday, January 31, 2011

Cultivate What Your Critics Don't Like


Listen carefully to first criticisms of your work. 
Note just what it is about your work that critics don't like - 


then cultivate it!!

That's the part of your work that's individual and worth keeping.
Jean Cocteau



Can you think of  better advice for a creative individual?


It takes great courage and confidence of steel to follow through with this advice.
But...think about anyone who is famous probably did (without knowing it), 
or never heard or listened to the critics.
They are unique. No?

I   " 5  fingered "   this quote from Yvette @ In So Many Words

Renee Finberg 'TELLS ALL' in her BLOG..... Interior Design, Palm Beach, Boca Raton,Ft.Lauderdale,Design Service, Window Treatments, TurnKey Interior Design Service,Paint selection, Floor-Plans,Online Interior Design, Cultivate What Your Critics Don't Like
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19 comments:

  1. If Cocteau said it, then I'm a believer.

    xo jane

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  2. Renee, I thought about this and it is really true, Critiques can be consructive, howver, sometimes you just KNOW that some critics want you to create what THEY want!

    Do come and join my new amazing giveaway by Splenderosa!

    xoxo
    Karena
    Art by Karena

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  3. What is up with that photograph? Its insane!
    But the statement is 100% correct - I try to remind myself to not confuse criticism with a critique.

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  4. ros

    he is my fave photographer, EUGENIO RECUENCO
    a genius.

    xxx

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  5. Anonymous09:53

    criticism is hard to take, but if you want to get better it's helpful to seek out the advice and feed back of qualified individuals who can help...I can only agree...
    maureen

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  6. Anonymous10:02

    oh heck, who am I kidding??!!! I hate it when someone finds fault with me!!! ...lol...
    ok, maybe it's just a little harder than normal for me to take criticism...
    have a great day, Renee...
    maureen

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  7. I totally agree with this, Renee! Years ago, my sister worked in a crummy little deli/caterer joint and I asked her employer if I could display some of my work there. Her employer said "No thanks - it doesn't fit our decor". Which I found ironic, since, as far as I coud see, there was no "decor" saving a few fake, sorry looking plants and some pathetic old chairs and tables. I felt discouraged and insulted. Sometimes the people who want to squash you are just spurring you on to better things. xo

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  8. Touche! I also love Emerson's quote and keep it on my blog:

    "There are always difficulties arising which tempt you to believe that your critics are right. To map out a course of action and follow it to an end requires courage." ~ Ralph Waldo Emerson

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  9. The fabulous are the fearless. They march to a different drummer, their own. I love this post Renee, food for thought, gourmet in fact!

    You are fearless Renee I know it!

    *smooch* xx

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  10. Finding trust in your "self" and "know" (=eliminating fear) is probably the most important thing..., "I did it my way" comes to mind, haha.

    ... and Renee, thanks so much for the wonderful compliment on the color scheme post!

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  11. Love this quote...hard to adhere to sometimes, but I try!!

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  12. A little reverse psychology! Those stylists who don't listen to criticism are usually the trend-setters.

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  13. Renee,

    When you are ahead of time, live in two worlds at once, and are intuitive it is a healthy part of life.

    Simply listen to the criticism again...only this time, don't take it personally. You'll be amazed at what you can learn by simply opening up to another point of view. Criticisms are like opinions everyone has one.

    Bette

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  14. I don't do criticism well, in fact every school report & performance appraisal I've ever received makes note of that!! I've tried all the stuff about not taking it personally etc. etc. but I just can't. Of course it's a major character flaw & I would probably have followed my true passion & have conquered the world by now if I'd just been able to overcome it. Oh well, that's life. BTW the only -ve comment I've ever received over @ The Hedge was someone who was so bound up in such serious vitriolic political correctness that I pondered their sanity. What a miserable, dark, humourless life they must lead.
    Millie x

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  15. I am going to hang on to this thought today, it's really interesting. I'm just the same as Millie, very bad at taking criticism, but maybe this is a way of turning it around.
    Sharon
    My French Country Home

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  16. Love this. LOVE it! If there's anything I've learned from the blog world, it's how to deal with criticism.

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  17. tess

    yessssireeee!!

    well said.

    and YOU, especially should ignore
    CRITIQUES !!!
    love ya
    renée xxx

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  18. okay...
    i just came from work where the lovely baboons that i work with were criticizing mw for the the way i qualify a house call -
    or the free design service that is offered at the company i work for.
    i am very direct , and try to screen out the individuals that want to pick my brain and have no intention of buying what they say they are interested in.

    i am sooooo pissed.
    but i am allowed to be.
    i am me and these are my feelings.
    i just don't want to hold on to them after tonight.

    how did i ever end up in this place???
    when will i ever get back into my own business again?

    i am bummed.

    but i do have you!
    and that is everything.

    xxxx

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