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As most of you know, we released a product last year, Cashboard, which handles time tracking, invoicing, and project quotes (or estimates).

Since the release I’ve refined the product based on my own needs and the multitude of feedback I’ve received via email, forums, and comments strewn across blogs all over the web.

Cashboard is my baby. I pour my blood, sweat, and redbull into it each and every day. Working on something so hard and so often, one starts to develop a relationship with the work…an attachment.

I also handle the majority of customer support and potential customer emails. It’s great because I get to keep my finger on the pulse of what needs attention. However, the downside comes in the form of insane rants, negative comments, and downright outlandish demands a few people make.

Some days it takes all my restraint not to fire off an email that looks more like the lyrics to a gangsta rap track than a customer support response. I’ve slipped a couple of times, but I’m getting better at sleeping on things. It’s a crucial skill.

I try not to take jabs against my baby as a personal attack, but it’s hard. Yet another skill I’m still trying to master.

Of course, a lot of these comments are valid, once you strip away the venom and bile. Being able to sift through the garbage and determine the meaning has paid off multiple times now in the form of design updates, and changes to Cashboard.

So next time someone bashes something you’ve done, instead of immediately lashing out – sleep on it and take it in stride. Discard the way the comment was delivered, and get to the real meaning.

Who knows, there might even be some value in it.