150: How to Handle Feedback Without Losing Your Confidence

Send us a text

Let’s be honest, criticism stings, even when it’s meant to help.

In this Thrive in 5, I’m showing you how to handle feedback without spiraling, so you can grow, evolve, and stay confident no matter what comes your way. Because when you stop reacting and start responding, feedback becomes fuel.

What we cover:

• How to pause before reacting
• Why your identity ≠ your output
• How to filter feedback through a growth mindset
• The phrase that helps you stay grounded every time

🎯 You’re not fragile, you’re growing. Let’s use feedback as a tool, not a threat.

👉 Tag @ExclusivelyCindy on instagram/facebook and share how you’re using this tip—I’d love to connect and hear your story!

💡 Don’t forget to subscribe for more quick tips on productivity and mindset in 5 minutes or less!

💌 Get exclusive tips and motivation straight to your inbox—sign up now! https://cindygordon.myflodesk.com/countmein

The OVERWHELM CURE - Beat overwhelm in one hour! - https://stan.store/cindygordon/p/the-overwhelm-cure-stop-feeling-stuck
Daily Success Framework - Learn more here: https://cindygordon.myflodesk.com/dsf
Get your Printable Affirmation Cards here: https://stan.store/cindygordon/p/success-affirmation-cards-digital-download

Connect with Cindy:

Website: ExclusivelyCindy.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/exclusivelycindy/

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@cindygordon

Episode Transcript

(00:00):
ever get feedback that rattledyou, even if it was meant to
help and today's thrive in five.
I'm giving you strategies tohandle criticism without
spiraling so that you can growfrom it and not shut down.

Speaker (00:13):
Welcome back to Thrive in Five, where I give you a
quick burst of motivation andproductivity in five minutes or
less.
I'm Cindy, your host, aself-made entrepreneur, busy
mom, and a business coach.
I've built and sold severaldigital businesses ranging from
five to six figure successes.
So when it comes to managingtime and priorities in both life

(00:34):
and work, I get it.
I've been there and I am here tohelp you thrive.
Let's be honest.
Criticism stings, even when it'smeant to help, it can hit us in
the gut.
And if you're someone who poursyour heart and soul into your
work, your business.
Your life, your parenting.
It's easy to take feedbackpersonally, but here's the

(00:56):
truth.
Criticism doesn't have to crushyour confidence.
It can actually build it if youlearn how to respond instead of
react.
So let's shift the mindset andtalk about how to use feedback
as fuel.
The first thing you need to dois pause before reacting.
Your first response is usuallyemotional and not rational, and

(01:17):
that's normal.
So when you receive criticism,take a breath, don't respond
right away.
Give yourself a moment or a fewhours if you need to, to
separate yourself from what'sbeing critiqued.
You are not your product, yourpost, your pitch.
You are a person who can learn,lead, and grow.
The next thing you need to do isask yourself what part of this

(01:39):
is useful?
Not all criticism is valid, butmost of it holds something we
can learn from.
So try this.
What's the intention behind thisfeedback?
Is there truth that I can takefrom it even if the delivery
wasn't great?
What would the next levelversion of me take away from
this?
That mindset turns feedback intoa tool and not a threat.

(02:02):
Next, you're gonna use it torefine and not define.
Feedback is data and it tellsyou what worked and what didn't
and what could be better.
Use it to improve your systems,your messaging, or your
delivery, not your worth.
Confidence doesn't mean ignoringfeedback.
It means being secure enough tosort through it and decide what

(02:22):
to do with it.
This works because when you takethe emotional charge out of
criticism and use it asinformation, you stay grounded.
You protect your confidencewhile staying open to growth,
and that's how you keep showingup and getting better.
Let's recap your action steps toimplement this today.
Reflect on a recent piece offeedback.

(02:43):
What's one insight that youcould use?
Create a grounding phrase likethis is information, not
identity.
Remind yourself, confidence andcoachability can exist at the
same time.
Growth-minded people aren'tafraid of feedback.
They are fueled by it, and you,you are growing faster than you
think.