I tend to check Facebook about 3 times per day, each visit for work purposes. It used to be that during one of those checkins I\u2019d enjoy scrolling through my feed, catching up with friends, and learning about changes occurring in life\u2014like new jobs or children. But along the way, many of my fitness peers began to clog my feed (which was my own fault), and a disturbing trend began to emerge that seems deeply entrenched in the health and fitness community.<\/p>\n
Hate, vitriol, and endless complaining about every training method and different fitness personalities oftentimes became the only topic for discussion. I have no problem with the occasional joke or people airing their grievances because many aspects and theories deserve discussion, but that comes with a big caveat:<\/p>\n
Does your criticism provide any type of actionable advice that will help people?<\/i><\/p>\n
Or is it just a passive aggressive attack designed to reinforce your own beliefs so that others can “like” your status?<\/p>\n
Think about it. We share our opinions and beliefs so that we can influence others and promote progressive thoughts, actions, and behaviors. We\u2019ve all been in positions where we\u2019ve been criticized\u2014both in deserving and undeserving situations. As an employee and a boss, I\u2019ve seen it from both angles. I’ve never had an issue with criticism. In fact, I encourage it. I\u2019m the guy who walks around with a chip on his shoulder at all times. Find my flaws and it will fuel me to become better. But when my mistakes or inadequacies are identified, I want the criticism to be directional not static.<\/p>\n
Directional means the feedback\u2014although potentially hurtful\u2014shows me how I can improve. It\u2019s a path to becoming better. Static criticism is a dead end that leaves you swimming in a sea of negativity with no real use or purpose other than identifying a problem and offering no construction solution for improvement. After all, even the most egregious mistakes are sometimes not deliberate, but instead a matter of not knowing or having a difference in opinion.<\/p>\n
So tell me: why even bother with static criticism? What does bitching, moaning, castigating, or complaining about someone else\u2019s style accomplish?<\/p>\n