One day in college my tutor criticized me in front of the whole class.
Not my work but me personally.
I can’t remember exactly what he said but I think it was along the lines of calling me boring or predictable or something like that.
The class was shocked by this personal attack and turned their heads to eagerly watch my reaction.
I felt the eyes on me, my face reddening and the red mist descending.
So in a rather uncharacteristic manner I pushed back.
I argued with him tooth and nail. Not budging an inch.
In front of the whole class.
I don’t like and am not used to confrontation so I remember vividly my legs shaking from all the adrenaline that was coursing through my veins.
But eventually we both ran out of steam and the class ended.
So when I was writing my submission for the next class I wanted to give him absolutely no excuse to criticize me. So I wrote comprehensively. I anticipated any points he could bring up and went about addressing them.
The next day I walked in ready for an argument, raring to go.
And he loved it!
He thought it was brilliant (he may have just been looking to avoid an argument).
After working myself up for an argument I was robbed of my opportunity because I had written so well that he had nothing to say and was impressed.
His antagonizing antics had motivated me to find a new level in my work.
Now looking back I don’t think he intended to provoke my leveling up I think it was just an unexpected outcome.
That need to prove him wrong provided me with a new insight into what I was capable of.
I did it for all the wrong reasons and I don’t think it’s a sustainable method of motivation but it was a great insight into a new standard.
Thomas Duggan 