Feedback? To sit quietly and receive with grace the opinions and advice of others on your work. Now that is quite frightening! How do I sit there with acceptance and not take the feedback personal? I guess that is the ego speaking… always wanting to do things ‘right’. As I submitted my audio for my Unite 1 draft sharing my story–a story of my truth and vulnerability. I was in doubt of myself thinking that I did my draft incorrectly, I am sharing too much, to thinking my class is not going to like what I shared. Many comments racing through my mind, especially as I have watched my cohorts drafts already, and truly inspired. We went from one classmate to the other, listening to everyone share their feedback on each others’ project. It was my turn. As Marsha asks the students “anyone have feedback on Lauryn’s first draft?”. Of course, even a second of silence seems an eternity, does silence mean my project was not liked? Then I see the hands raising. The positive feedback that I received was that my use of words in my audio was poetic and that they enjoyed to listen to it. That I represented through my journey–curiosity and place–while also revealing the sense of being ‘lost and found’. Phew… that was not so bad. But of course, I needed feedback in ways to make my project better, and that was to ‘think of the bigger picture’ one student mentioned, in regard to systems thinking. Thankful for that feedback, as that helped me to revise my draft and edit parts that need to be edited.
“If we shield ourselves from all feedback, we stop growing.” – Brené Brown
“Feedback is a free education to excellence. Seek it with sincerity and receive it with grace.” – Anne Marie Houghtailing
This first round of feedback for my first project is giving me the opportunity to sit with being uncomfortable, and that discomfort brings growth. Growth not only from others’ inputs for a project, but growth providing life lessons. This exercise allows me to be more open in the world and receive, even if it is not something I want to hear but it is for my greater good. I tend to be very sensitive, and learning to not take things too personal. I left this feedback session really reflecting on my project, and was able to focus on other dynamics that were expected. The positive feedback helped me to trust in myself, that I have the capability of doing this work and that I have something to offer in the course. I want to turn this fear into motivation to learn from my fellow cohorts, and to take this with me as I move through this world.
“We don’t have to do all of it alone. We were never meant to.” – Brené Brown
“Every woman’s success should be an inspiration to another, we’re strongest when we cheer each other on.” – Serena Williams
