'Tis the holiday season, which I'm now going to use as an excuse for the relatively light posts as of late. I just haven't felt like there's been much to say, but the funk is nearly over and we'll be back to regular programming eventually. So why not focus on a bit of positive reinforcement this week.
Feedback is a funny thing in life, as it essentially boils down to nothing more than communication. Almost everything we do is subjected to feedback and responses from those around us. Our work is often scrutinised and assessed for critical feedback, while our social behaviour and relationships are a constant source of emotional feedback. Suffice to say that it's virtually impossible to put something out into the world without it creating a reaction.
Although, perhaps not all endeavours are created equal when it comes to feedback. In fact, there are many solitary vocations that remain void of any feedback for most of the time we work on them. Usually there will be a goal that creates a dialogue, but the process leading up to it can become an increasingly isolating experience.
I guess I'm thinking about this, as it's a common element that creatives have to deal with every day. However, the point of this post is not to get all emo about artists working away in solitude, but to encourage more positive feedback in every facet of our daily lives.
With the internet and all the wonderful ways that we are connected with others, there's no shortage of negative feedback in the world. At times all the complaining and 'calling out' found online becomes an overwhelming cacophony of cynicism. It can really bring us all down in ways I'm not sure we're all that familiar with yet, so let's try and counter that trend.
As humans we often forget to encourage and support those around us when they are succeeding in life. It doesn't even have to be down to success, but we tend to complain more than we compliment, and I think that needs to change. It's too easy to be isolated these days and lose any sense of support from those around us.
We don't do it to be mean or indignant; it's just easy to accept that others are doing their thing and that they're happy to keep on doing it. The problem is that as an artist, it's really obvious that what you're doing is of little to no interest to anyone else. Unless of course you have some kind of reputation that makes you appear more interesting than someone else, or at the very least more popular.
Of course what you're doing is of no interest to most people in the world, but that's where our friends and family come in. You don't have to support the entire population of the planet, but maybe take a little time to think about whatever someone you care about is into. Maybe they're a plumber, but they always treat their clients honestly and respectfully. Perhaps they're a cleaner who is always prompt and does a good job. The point is - it doesn't matter what someone does - the point is that we all do something that matters to us.
The easy part is then to offer them a compliment or some kind of positive feedback that will vocalise and communicate your thoughts. It's all well and good to think your plumber friend is a decent person, but if you tell them that you think of them that way, I promise you they will get a kick out of it. Sure we're not all looking for other people's approval, but when a friend tells you that they think you're doing something good in your life, it means something.
Same goes for artists, which I only focus on because I understand it personally. I hardly ever get any feedback on anything I do (including this blog for that matter), so whenever someone decides to like a post, or tweet me a positive comment, it really makes my day. Of course it's not the be all and end all of my life, but there's nothing wrong with having someone tell you they think you're doing a good job. No matter what the context could be.
So, as much as this is a ham-fisted way of saying it, I would encourage everyone to put your positive thoughts out into the world more often. Don't just stop at thinking something is cool, try communicating to someone instead. I think we'd all feel less alone and adrift if we were more honest about all the beautifully honest and nice things we think about others.
Better communication isn't just about complaining, it can also be about love and compassion. A little bit of positive reinforcement might have a much larger impact that the effort it took to say. How can that ever be a bad thing?