"Between stimulus and response is a space. And in that space lies the opportunity for growth and freedom." — Viktor Frankl
Most people who struggle to take feedback don't think of themselves as defensive. They think of themselves as discerning. There's a difference, and it matters — and Nicky Billou spent decades on the wrong side of it.
At 58, after two people he deeply respects told him the same thing within two weeks — most recently at a men's overnight retreat in the Muskokas — Nicky finally sat with the message instead of deflecting it. The insight that unlocked it came from Viktor Frankl: that between a stimulus and our response exists a space, and what we do in that space determines whether we grow or stay stuck.
The point isn't to accept every piece of criticism wholesale. Blindly agreeing with feedback is as problematic as reflexively dismissing it. The practice is to pause, listen, and evaluate honestly — to let the message land before deciding what to do with it. For driven, success-oriented people, that pause can be the hardest thing in the world. It can also be the most consequential.
Learn more & connect:
https://www.eCircleAcademy.com
Resources mentioned:
Man's Search for Meaning — Viktor Frankl (available at most booksellers and libraries)
Viktor Frankl Institute: https://www.viktorfrankl.org
Visit https://www.eCircleAcademy.com and book a success call with Nicky to take your practice to the next level.