1. On a scale of 1 to 10 how would you rate yourself as regards the trait
of being willing to accept criticism?
2. In which areas do you resent criticism?
3. In which areas do you appreciate criticism?
4. From which people are you willing to accept criticism?
5. From which people arc you not willing to accept criticism?
6 . What principles do you see when you compare your answers to
nos. 4 and 5?
7. When have you gained greatly from criticism?
8 . When have you felt pleasure and gratitude because someone was
trying to help you improve?
9. When have you had negative reactions when someone tried to
correct you?
10. If you arc not grateful when people point out your faults, do you
tend to become angry at them or do you tend to feel ashamed of yourself?
What does this trend tell you about your own self-image?
11. When you become very upset or angry over criticism, do you ask
yourself, "What vulnerable spot did this touch?"?
12. Is your initial reaction to criticism usually a denial of it?
13. When have you originally denied someone’s criticism, but either
deep down knew the person was right or soon afterwards realized that the
person was right?
14. Do you tend to counter the criticisms of others by criticizing them?
15. Do you tend to sulk or brood over criticism?
16. When, if ever, have you become immobilized by criticism?
17. When have you first felt annoyed about someone's criticism and
then appreciated it?
18. When you have been criticized, do you mainly feel hurt by the
criticism or do you focus on how you can improve?
19. What types of criticism do you react to with panic and hostility.?
20. (with no. 19) What makes you so vulnerable to those types of
criticism.?
21. Do you tend to view criticism as humiliation.?
22. How do you react to unjust criticism? How would you wish to react
to unjust criticism?
23. If someone criticizes you in reference to an area that is not at all
important to you, can you politely thank him and disregard it or do you
feel upset over the matter?
24. What potentially constructive things does fear of criticism prevent
you from doing?
25. What negative things does fear of criticism prevent you from
doing?
26. What things does fear of criticism motivate you to do?
27. Do you tend to view all disagreements with you as forms of
criticism of you?
28. When people criticize something you have done, do you needlessly
view it as a criticism of you as a person and cause yourself unnecessary
suffering.?
29. If someone delivers criticism in an unpleasant tone of voice, do you
focus on the unpleasant tone of voice or on the message?
30. If someone is excessively critical of you in a harsh manner, do you
tell the person you would appreciate to be corrected in a pleasant manner?
31. Do you tell yourself that you would be able to accept criticism if it
would be given to you in a friendly manner, but then resent it even if it is
given in a friendly manner?
32. If someone is very critical of you, do you try to avoid him or do you
purposely try to have more contact with him to hear more ideas for
improvement?
33. In what ways do you encourage people to suggest ways in which you
can improve?
34. When someone criticizes you, do you ask yourself, ''What positive
traits is this person expressing by mentioning this criticism?”?
35. If someone tries to correct your behavior but you feel that he
himself has the same fault, what is your reaction:
(a) “He has The same fault so I won't listen to him,”
(b) “His criticism is correct; I'll try to improve. What he himself
does is not relevant to my own responsibility to improve.”
36. Are you able to accept the truth of someone’s criticism of you even
if he did not have the intention of helping you?
37. When people criticize your behavior, do you ask them how they
think you should behave?
38. How would you gain if you were more accepting of criticism?
39. What thoughts would make it easier for you to accept criticism?
40. If you had greater humility, how would you react to criticism better
than you presently do?
41/ What prevents you from accepting criticism in a positive manner?
42. (with no. 41) How can you overcome those obstacles?
43. When people criticize.you, do you view it as their subjective way of
viewing matters (a “to me” statement) and then weigh the matter
carefully yourself to see if you agree or disagree?
44. Do you make it a regular practice to imagine yourself accepting
criticism with positive feelings?
45. Which, people do you know who are very open to accepting
criticism with a positive attitude and what can you learn from them?
46. To master a positive attitude towards criticism, do you repeat to
yourself over and over again statements such as, “I will enjoy criticism
since it will help me grow"?
47. Do you have the strength to be resolved for the next two weeks to
thank anyone for any criticism they give you?
Gateway to self knowledge
