How do you deal with criticism? Use it to your advantage

There are some people in the sports world who command so much respect that I stop everything when I hear them talking.

Bill Curry is such a person.

This former NFL star (played on four Super Bowl teams) and college football coach now serves as a respected ESPN analyst.

I am not a big fan of sports-talk radio, but occasionally there's a breath of fresh air when somebody actually makes sense in a positive way and isn't trying to audition for a comedy-club appearance.

Curry's appearances on the "Mike & Mike" morning show on ESPN radio may be rare, but when they do arrive, they're definitely worth the wait.

Many guests on talk radio are constantly interrupted by the hosts, but there's total silence when Curry is speaking. His measured words on any subject are that interesting and insightful.

Frankly, it's like listening to a minister deliver a Sunday sermon.

It's hard to believe this nice guy received death threats when he was a college football coach at Alabama. Rocks and assorted missiles were thrown through his office window.

What was Curry's problem?

He wasn't "Bear" Bryant, the legendary former head football coach at Alabama.

If this nice guy can be criticized and even threatened, it can happen to anyone.

Curry was interviewed on how he handled his problems at Alabama, and his response speaks volumes about the man.

"In dealing with criticism," he told writer Gene Asher, "I studied a lot of people like Abe Lincoln, Helen Keller, Jackie Robinson. When they were criticized they just kept going. What I have gone through is a Sunday picnic compared to what they endured."

Learning to deal with criticism is something we all have to go through at some point.

In the real world, no one protects you from criticism.

I guarantee we don't get through many weeks in this newspaper business without being criticized for something by readers.

Favoritism!

Not enough coverage!

I'll admit I had trouble dealing with any degree of criticism in my early days as a high school athlete and at this paper.

I got very defensive. Not a good idea.

The media's hubris probably bothers people more than anything. My profession seems to have a vanity that fuels our reluctance to ever admit we're wrong.

We're like talk-show hosts and columnists. Praise is welcomed, but criticism is unwanted, unappreciated and often tuned out.

Some people seem to enjoy finding fault the higher up you go and the more things you try to accomplish

I finally matured in how I handled criticism.

In order to progress, you must address your weaknesses and mistakes. You have to receive criticism with the same attitude as praise in order to learn from those mistakes, gain strength and reach your goals.

It's easy for people to stand back and constantly second guess. They just observe and are never on the inside.

Most people react to criticism in an immature way. That just makes things worse.

You have to try not to get angry because that makes you ineffective in dealing with the situation.

You have to listen closely to the criticism so you understand exactly what is being said and why.

Take criticism for what it's worth, no more, no less.

If what you hear is useful, use it to your advantage.

If you don't think it's relevant or you simply don't agree with what is being said, let it roll off your back.

You should never accuse your criticizer of being unfair.

The unflappable Bill Curry has the right idea.

You have to keep going. You can't let criticism get to you.

The only people who aren't going to be criticized are those who do absolutely nothing.