Dear MOTIVATION: I have poured my heart and soul into my business, but every piece of feedback from clients feels overwhelmingly negative. It’s discouraging and disappointing, and I’m struggling to separate my personal feelings from constructive criticism. How can I better adapt my services to meet client expectations without taking their feedback personally? I wholeheartedly want to improve, but the constant negativity is stressfully hard to handle. — THIN-SKINNED ENTREPRENEUR IN WINSTON SALEM, NC.

DEAR THIN-SKINNED: Receiving negative feedback is never easy, but it can be a valuable growth opportunity for you and your business. Start by viewing criticism as constructive rather than personal. Gather the feedback and identify common themes, which can help you pinpoint areas for improvement. Then, immediately go to work on improving those areas. Spend more focus and time on improving instead of dwelling on what’s gone wrong; that only drains and kills your spirit and motivation for the growth and success of your business. Engage directly with your clients to better understand their needs; their insights and expectations will guide your passion, purpose, adaptations, and transformation. Remember, every successful entrepreneur has faced challenges; you are not alone. Embrace the lessons from this experience. It’s time to toughen your skin and turn things around, not only for the better — for the best. Do not hesitate to seek support from fellow business owners or mentors. You’ve got this!