Why Feedback Is So Fucking Important

Imaan Taghavi
Jul 22, 2017 · 2 min read

In my freshman year, I was a fucking wild child. I tried to be friends with everyone and do everything all the time. I was compensating for some irrational fear of “missing out” on the college experience.

It came at a cost. I was inconsiderate to those closest to me. My housemate and my closest friends. They were there for me when I needed them but I was never there for them. I made them feel like they were expendable.

Two of these friends sat me down one day and gave me harsh feedback on how inconsiderate I was being. They told me I needed to change or they would end our friendship.

I resisted. In fact I still do because I still have a little of this in me. I am a recovering people pleaser. I am neglectful of close relationships.

Feedback is hard. It is hard because it questions the assumptions of my existence. It is hard because it is hard to change myself (and I still struggle with it).

Feedback it is important. It is important because being considerate is a part of my value system. It is important because it is part of my life’s mission to be the best I can be to contribute as best as I can.

Feedback is not only negative. In fact I give much more positive than negative feedback. I compliment people on aspects of their character I appreciate on a daily basis.

Feedback is prone to its own bias. It is a projection of the reality and biases of those who give it. But I can get around this by asking multiple people from different arenas of my life and looking for common threads.

Feedback should not be overdone. I will not permanently overcome all my character flaws… ever. So I don’t push it. I live most days of life without it. When I engage in feedback conversations, I do so intentionally and with proper warning.

Feedback is not personal. But it is a disservice to myself and my friends to ignore it.

The best things in life after all are never easy. But they are ultimately worth it.

**Call To Action**

How do you typically engage in feedback? Do you ask for it? Do you offer it? Comment below!

Imaan

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About the Author: Imaan “PapaFuegz” Taghavi is the Founder of the Omni Movement, an endeavor to make improvised partner dancing, or social dancing, more accessible to you and the rest of the world.

He writes blogs to share his journey and inspire you in yours.

Check out the Omni Movement:

▶ How-To “Bachata Basics” https://goo.gl/K2nfFa

▶ Can you Learn Bachata in Less than 10 Minutes? https://goo.gl/jhxtt2

▶ Dancing in the Dining Room https://goo.gl/2tckOx

The Ascent

A community of storytellers documenting the journey to happiness & fulfillment.

Imaan Taghavi

Written by

I’d rather be too curious than not enough. | Founder @theomnimovement | Adviser @fathhome

The Ascent

A community of storytellers documenting the journey to happiness & fulfillment.

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