Criticism. How do we deal with it? It can be powerful when handled properly.
Story of a famous violinist:
How a person reacts to criticism often means the difference between success and failure. Take the case of Ole Bull, the famous Norwegian violinist of the past century.
His practical father, a chemist, sent him to the University of Christiania to study for the ministry and forbade him to play his beloved violin. He promptly flunked out and, defying his father, devoted all his time and energy to the violin. Unfortunately, though he had great ability, his teachers were relatively unskilled, so that by the time he was ready to start his concert tour he wasn’t prepared.
In Italy a Milan newspaper critic wrote: “He is an untrained musician. If he be a diamond, he is certainly in the rough and unpolished.”
There were two ways Ole Bull could have reacted to that criticism. He could have let it make him angry, or he could learn from it. Fortunately he chose the latter. He went to the newspaper office and asked to see the critic. The astounded editor introduced him. Ole spent the evening with the 70-year-old critic, asked about his faults, and sought the older man’s advice on how to correct them.
Then he canceled the rest of his tour, returned home, and spent the next six months studying under really able teachers. He practiced hours upon hours to overcome his faults. Finally, he returned to his concerts and, when only 26, became the sensation of Europe.
Author Unknown
Did you enjoy the story? More inspirational Stories below.
The trouble tree, An Inspirational Story
Never give up. Arthur Boorman’s Inspirational Story
Inspirational story about your worth.
Latest posts by Kris (see all)
- “They can conquer who believe they can.” -Virgil - April 25, 2018
- Quotes for Life Gallery IV - April 24, 2018
- Quotes for Life Gallery Volume III - April 24, 2018
