The first few letters of these words are the same but they spell differently after that.. They sound so similar and yet there is a difference in the way they are pronounced. As for their meaning, they seem similar but they seem different too. Sounds confusing? Well it did for me too but over the years clarity emerged and I realised that one of them could actually lead into another if we are not alert enough. 


Let me raise the curtain and break the suspense.. Or have you done it yourself by quickly scanning through to the next few lines to see these words? 🙂 


Critique and Critic – Before I delve deeper into the impact of these 2 words in our lives, I would like to share the meaning of these words (Courtesy – The Merriam-Webster Dictionary) ..


Critique – a careful judgment in which you give your opinion about the good and bad parts of something (such as a piece of writing or a work of art)


Critic – 1. One who expresses a reasoned opinion on any matter especially       involving a judgment of its value, truth, righteousness, beauty, or technique

           2. One given to harsh or captious judgment


Words like judgment, opinion and reason that appear in the meanings of Critique and Critic have their own meanings, and hence lend different flavors to the way both these words are understood and used. 


The moment the words critique and critic are used, the mind automatically thinks of the word ‘criticize’. 


The word ‘Criticize’ has its roots in the word ‘critic’ and it also has two meanings, similar to the word critic. 


Criticize – 1. to consider the merits and demerits of and judge accordingly 

            2. to find fault with or to point out the faults of

(Courtesy – The Merriam-Webster Dictionary)


The meaning of the critique and the first meaning of the words critic and criticism sounds similar. However, the challenge comes in when the second meaning of the words critic and criticism are applied. 


We request people to critique or be a critic, to what we have done, At these times, we know what we want them to do. We would like them to look at what we have done from a neutral perspective and tell us if what we have done, is in the way it has to be so that it appeals to people. What this also means is that we expect them to tell us the strengths and flaws of what we have done. 


When a person is ‘critique’ing what we have done, we are clear that even if they do state more flaws about our work, they are neutral in their approach. We also take that as a feedback. 


However, are we able to say the same of someone who is ‘critic’ing what we do (when the second meaning is applied or rather felt as though applied)?

When do we feel that we are being criticized and not ‘critic’ed?

Is it ‘what’ they say? Is it ‘how’ they say? Does ‘who’ is saying it, matter? Does ‘when’ it is being said, make a difference? or is it a combination of all of these?


There are many times that many of us are a critic to what others do and we do so out of our own volition. When we are NOT sought to be a critic, there are times when we still FEEL that we need to share our opinion and we do so FREELY too. These are times when I wonder if it comes across as criticizing, especially if we enumerate more flaws than strengths. How do WE control being a FREE critic? 

Can we be a critic ONLY if we are sought to be one?

Can we time and tone what we say? 


We do not have control on others being an unsought critic to what we do. The challenge is when we become our own critic. There are many of us who say, “I am my worst critic” and we take great pride in saying so. It is certainly short of saying, “I don’t need anyone else to critic what I do. I am capable of doing it myself”. 


Do we look at the strengths and flaws equanimously, of what we do and what we achieve? If yes, we are being a critic of what we do.. 

However, there are a number of us who go beyond that and in our own way criticize what we do. We look for more faults in what we do. We undermine the strengths and exaggerate the flaws of what we do, even if there are just minimal flaws. Over time, we get so used to being our own ‘worst critic’ that it becomes a habit to find flaws in whatever we do. This needless to say has a HUGE impact on our self esteem. Before we know it, we are caught in a vicious circle and getting out of that calls for immense time and effort. There are times when we may find that trying to get out of that habit is like getting into quicksand. The more we try, the more we find ourselves sinking into it. 


How then do we get out of it? It seemed a simple formula when I heard this but it sounded so powerful. 


“There are many ‘shoulds’ in our lives. DON’T make yourself wrong. You may or may not achieve what you sought to.. If you have put in the required effort in your attempt to achieve, then learn to move on whether you get the expected result or not. 


It is indeed a simple and powerful formula but also one that will take a steadfast mind to put it into practice. A few pointers on the ‘how’..

– Just think of what needs to be done.. Avoid any post mortems

– Give yourself the time to change.. Any change takes time.. Avoid hurrying yourself to change

– Take help from people. Talk to people who will also appreciate you for the work that you have done. Avoid ‘traveling’ on the change journey, alone

– Stop yourself every time you start criticizing yourself.. Avoid the feeling of ‘I am the best and worst critic of myself’.