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Name of author Rick Baker, P.Eng.

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Criticism is a contagious thing...it's the polar opposite of 'Pay It Forward'.

by Rick Baker
On May 25, 2020

The Thinking Behind The Tweet

When we criticize others they tend to carry on the tradition by criticizing the people the encounter...they criticize the person in front of them in the Tim Horton's drive-thru or their children who are not taking homework quite seriously enough, etc., etc., ad nauseam.

All of us seem to be hard-wired to be critical of others...at least, the vast majority of us seem to possess and illustrate this human condition. Despite that fact, very few of us find value in receiving criticism. Very few of us indeed...

Regardless of how we deliver and receive criticism from others, most people - when you cut through their external facade: whether arrogant, or brave, or puzzled, or aggrieved most people - are quite critical of themselves. We should neither forget nor underestimate this aversion to criticism. Even people who are very tough on themselves don't like it when others treat them that way.

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Criticism: Constructive Criticism is an Oxymoron | Thought Tweets

Give yourself injections of that oxymoron, Constructive Criticism

by Rick Baker
On May 2, 2020

The Thinking Behind The Tweet

Create a Do It Yourself Hormesis Program, aimed at thickening your skin and building your tolerance for other people's shortcomings. 

CAUTION: If you are like most people then your initial tolerance for criticism will be unbelievably low...so start with very low doses of self-criticism. And, build the doses up slowly over time...until you are able to face your screaming vein-bulging face in the mirror. 

When they are messing on the floor, sometimes you just gotta put down your newspaper.

by Rick Baker
On Apr 30, 2020

The Thinking Behind The Tweet

It actually happened just after the turn of the century...amidst double entendre & a wicked sense of humour.

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Criticism: Constructive Criticism is an Oxymoron | Humour | Thought Tweets

May your ego refuse to jump over molehills to join the mule trains climbing all those mountains!

by Rick Baker
On Apr 29, 2020

The Thinking Behind The Tweet

Sometimes those little voices in our heads goad us into thoughts and actions that really defy logic. Deep down we know the thoughts and actions are tainted and flawed, yet we allow them to grow and swell and sometimes get way out of control.

Sometimes we set aside all the good advice our mothers worked so hard to teach: for example, if you can't say something nice...

Sometimes we forget constructive criticism is an oxymoron.

Take your big treasure chest of Curiosity off the shelf...dust it off...open it up...and put its contents to good use.

by Rick Baker
On Apr 22, 2020

The Thinking Behind The Tweet

At one time, you were an incessantly curious and creative person. You were chock full of curiosity. Over the years and through the criticism, you've locked much of your curiosity away...right beside your childhood dreams...and near your adolescent dreams.

Choose to take your big treasure chest of Curiosity off the shelf.

***

You were an incessant dreamer...night & day...light & heavy...fantastic...motivating.

Criticism and the trials of day-to-day life caused you to shelve many of your vibrant dreams.

Forgotten dreams, hidden gems, brightening lights.

***

"A man is not old until regrets take the place of dreams."

John Barrymore

 

Talking Russian Roulette: shooting off your mouth, ignorant of what your brain has placed in the cylinder behind your muzzle.

by Rick Baker
On Apr 17, 2020

The Thinking Behind The Tweet

You meet people whose brain-to-mouth filters fail on a regular basis. 

And you see the damage happening in real time: damage to themselves, damage to others.

Copyright © 2012. W.F.C (Rick) Baker. All Rights Reserved.