Revising Your Work

Overview

The word "revise" means to “see again,” exactly what you need to do when refining your writing for public consumption. But we often miss the mistakes in our own work because our brains fill in the gaps. Therefore, we need others to give us feedback. Likewise, we need to learn to give others constructive, specific feedback. However, most people abhor this process because it makes them feel uncomfortable. Instead of seeing feedback as a gift, they see it as a threat.

To become Christlike communicators and leaders, we should remember to give others the benefit of the doubt, consider others' needs over our own, and remember our point of view is incomplete and distorted.

See feedback as a gift, regardless of whether or not it is wrapped and delivered the way you want it.

You may feel a bit defensive, as Moroni didLinks to an external site. when God commanded him to write:

"And thou hast made us that we could write but little, because of the awkwardness of our hands. Behold, thou hast not made us mighty in writing like unto the brother of Jared, for thou madest him that the things which he wrote were mighty even as thou art, unto the overpowering of man to read them.Thou hast also made our words powerful and great, even that we cannot write them; wherefore, when we write we behold our weakness, and stumble because of the placing of our words; and I fear lest the Gentiles shall mock at our words."But remember God's replyLinks to an external site.:

And when I had said this, the Lord spake unto me, saying:

"Fools mock, but they shall mourn; and my grace is sufficient for the meek, that they shall take no advantage of your weakness;And if men come unto me I will show unto them their weakness. I give unto men weakness that they may be humble; and my grace is sufficient for all men that humble themselves before me; for if they humble themselves before me, and have faith in me, then will I make weak things become strong unto them."Remember that our picture is often incomplete or distorted.

See feedback as a gift and a chance to "repent," we will cherish it.

Remember the Lord's words:

"And how great is his joy in the soul that repenteth!" (D&C 18:13)You could be content with your own content, or you could make it better with feedback from a peer. Thank the person who cares enough to give you feedback:

"For what doth it profit a man if a gift is bestowed upon him, and he receive not the gift? Behold, he rejoices not in that which is given unto him, neither rejoices in him who is the giver of the gift." (D&C 88:33)Respect others enough to give them constructive feedback. Have integrity enough to request feedback from your peers. In the end, have faith that any feedback you receive does not affect your worth, which is already set by virtue of your identity as a child of God, a child of the covenant, and a disciple of Jesus Christ.

READ the following page and textbook chapter

WATCH the following video on Feedback

Some people feel defensive when they receive feedback. To truly learn and grow, be willing to solicit and accept feedback. See feedback as a gift, no matter how it's wrapped.