I do appreciate constructive criticism. I can always pretend to take it in stride, even if it bruises the perfectionist in me.
After beating up on myself about my diet, though, hearing from a listener that I tend to go off-topic, and plug too many other podcasts (or “blogs,” as she called them), and that my musical interludes are too long… that didn’t feel as constructive as it was probably meant.
I got kudos early on for my musical selections, and I thought they were a high point of my podcast. And I thought that referring my listeners to other podcasts that might help them would be… well, helpful. And I thought that broadening my topics to include low-glycemic and fitness issues would bring more listeners into the fold.
I know that one person out of 150 having qualms about the tightness of my production doesn’t necessarily mean that I suck. I have to wonder, though, how many people aren’t saying anything.
I might consider throwing in the towel if I weren’t the only low-carb podcast out there. I’ve gotten plenty of positive e-mails in past weeks, though. It’s just that this tidbit of constructive criticism was poorly timed. I’m already in a slump, and being reminded of my shortcomings β or, rather, having new ones brought to my attention β doesn’t really help matters.
And, continuing today’s mental health boost from yesterday, a response from the above listener:
“I didn’t mean to be too critical – I’m still listening!”
I’m definitely feeling much better today. π
Okay, so I haven’t listened to it but I’ll tell you this: people? Like to bitch. Especially when you ask them to.
Deep breath, forge on. Don’t get all freaked out by the minutae. MAKE THE PODCAST YOU WANT TO HEAR.
This advice brought to you by the letter A and a chick who listens to a lot of shitty podcasts. π