One of the things people are all experts at, is to criticise anything and everything. As soon as someone does something that is not the way we want, we will find fault. I have noticed that was the case with cycling and diving. I am sure there are many other sports and event in which the athletes found fault with their team mates. There seemed to be quite a bit of this at the Beijing Olympics, or maybe it was just I was looking out for it. As people, we always want to be seen as being right, and most of us have quite big egos - even though we might not come across like that.
When you are criticised, it is a direct hit at who you are and what you have done.
Let’s look at it from the person who is directing this criticism. They often believe that they are helping you by pointing out what you have done, or how they see you. I know there is a lot of criticism that is a result of jealousy. Sometimes criticism is given to cause harm ,and sometimes it is supposed to help. Often, if I criticise someone else, it takes the pressure off me and my faults. We think this makes us look good.
There are a lot of people who, when they want to say something, will use what they call constructive criticism. I have used that line many times myself and you know what, that is rubbish. Criticism hurts. Criticisms of any kind will cause unhappiness and sometimes a loss of self-confidence.
Lets hope our athletes at the London Olympics learn this simple thing - realise the person levelling the criticism is far from perfect themselves. It is also important to remember that what they are saying is only an opinion - their opinion - and that does not necessarily mean it is right. You, as a person, have the right to accept or reject it. It is a choice. You can believe it if you want, and then agree with the other person’s opinion or not.
If any of our athletes are criticised, hopefully they will not react immediately. Listen, then go and think about it for a short while. Decide then if you accept or reject what has been said. Then dump it in what I call a “So What Box”. This is a box I have created in my own mind. It is very real to me. When anything that I think is not important is said or done to me, I will say “So What” you are in my “So What Box”. This box is full of garbage that actually does not deserve a second thought - that is how unimportant I consider it. I actually treat it with the contempt it deserves. I often do not even waste my time confronting the person who made the criticism, as that will just add fuel to the fire. I have found that not reacting actually has a positive effect on me.
Let’s hope at the 2012 London Olympics our special athletes adopt this attitude and not let others affect them by negative opinions. After all, sport is about team work - not who is right and who is wrong.
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