How I pushed through criticism at work to build the career I wanted

Some people leave office jobs because they feel restricted or underpaid, believing manual labor offers more freedom. But to me, that is just an excuse. How can you ever succeed if you fear difficulties, hardship, deadlines, or criticism?

Many young people today are so pampered by their parents that they develop inflated egos and can't handle criticism. They don't realize that when a boss scolds them, it's usually because they made mistakes or worked too slowly—no one nitpicks good work. Instead of taking it personally, learn from the criticism, fix your mistakes, and work faster. That's how you improve.

A woman is being scolded by her boss. Illustration photo by Pexels

I know this firsthand. When I was younger, I juggled three jobs and got scolded constantly, no matter where I worked. Sometimes, I broke down crying during meetings, especially when clients refused to work with me just because I was a woman. But I never gave up. Instead, I worked harder than my male colleagues to prove my abilities.

Your early years are the best time to push forward, build skills, and grow. Think of it like nurturing a tree—it needs the right nutrients at the right time. If properly cared for early on, it flourishes. But if neglected during its key growth phase, no amount of fertilizer will help later. The same applies to personal development. If you don't eat well and exercise during puberty, you won’t reach your full height. If you miss the critical window for treating a serious illness, recovery may be impossible.

Careers follow the same rule. Between 26 and 30, you must go all in at work, push through exhaustion, and prove your abilities. Don't let deadlines or criticism drag you down. At this stage, your expertise and experience are still developing. If you refuse to work hard, make mistakes, and learn from them, younger workers will surpass you in just a few years. How will you compete then?

Face challenges head-on. Find solutions. Never back down. No matter how wealthy your parents are, they can't protect you forever. You must build your strength and stand on your own two feet. Once you do, nothing in life will scare you or stop you from being the best you can be.

When you're young, don't chase a comfortable life. Fight through what life throws at you. Struggle now so you can live the life you want when you're older.

I've completely changed from my younger self. Now, I only work with clients I like—sometimes, I even turn them down outright. But to reach this point, I had to endure years of swallowing my pride. I believe you can do the same.