Quick Tip: Ask for one concrete change when feedback is vague - assalamu alaikum

Assalamu alaikum. I used to lose sleep over comments like “this feels off,” “I expected something different,” or “this isn’t quite what I was looking for,” without ever knowing what to actually change. Then a senior colleague advised me to ask one simple question: “Can you name one specific thing I should do differently next time?” What surprised me was how often people couldn’t answer. They’d pause, rephrase the vague complaint, or say “I’ll know it when I see it.” That showed me their feedback was about unclear expectations or a gut feeling, not something actionable about my work. The other times, asking for one concrete thing turned vague criticism into clear guidance. Instead of “this presentation feels flat,” I’d hear “put a visual on slide 3 and cut the bullet points on slide 7 in half.” Suddenly I had a clear next step. This habit helped in three ways: it saved me time fixing problems that weren’t real or defined, it pushed the feedback-giver to clarify what they meant (often making them realize their first reaction wasn’t fair), and it showed I take improvement seriously rather than getting defensive. Say the question with genuine curiosity, not challenge - you’re seeking useful info, not trying to prove anyone wrong. Try something like, “That’s helpful to know, jazakAllah khair. Can you give me one specific example of what I should do differently next time so I get it right?” If they still can’t offer anything concrete, you can let that vague criticism go. It’s just noise - focus on what you can act on and keep improving.