Recently I interviewed Eva Nelson a remarkable Talent Consultant for my internet radio show: Breaking the Glass Ceiling, Going Beyond Expectations. We talked about her career in corporate America and her lessons learned for breaking the glass ceiling. Eva shared this workplace tip, “don’t take things too seriously”. Eva’s point about not taking things too seriously is really about taking in and being opened to feedback and constructive ways to improve performance. We all strive to be successful, add value to our everyday work but by letting it go—we take only the value of the feedback and allow the emotions to fade away.



I thought about feedback I had received over the years, welcomed and unwelcomed. I do solicit feedback in everything I do, but when I first started my career it wasn’t so easy. I was afraid of how I would react to the feedback.



In feedback the ego is always involved for when we receive feedback on our performance --these opinions can be helpful or sometimes hurt our pride and bruise our ego. The ego plays a key role because it’s always working to keep you safe and that includes incoming information that may not serve you. The ego also brings emotions into play which can make feedback uncomfortable.



According to Neuroscientist Jill Bolte Taylor, when you feel an emotion caused by a negative event It takes only 90 seconds for the body to process the resulting stress. So next time you’re overwhelmed by an upsetting situation, wait for 90 seconds. Don’t think, just feel. It will pass. This is the part of letting go.



All you need to remember is that you’re always learning and growing. If you shut down this part of yourself (learning, taking in feedback constructively), reaching our potential will be extremely difficult. Take it in, let it go—what a great way to keep progressing on the ride of life.



How will you take it in and let it go?