Meggin’s Current Articles

Minimizing the Effect That Negative People Have on YOU and Making Your Position Clear

11th April, 2010 - Posted by Meggin - No Comments

Let us say that you have decided to close the door to negative people (figuratively, of course). What is tough about this decision is that sometimes the negative people work in our offices (or live in our homes or are related to us in some way). Deciding to “close the door” on the people who are negative is a first step. However, because we may need to interact with these folks on a regular basis, we do have to take further steps after our decision so that it comes to fruition.

We will use the example of metaphorically “closing the door” on your interaction with colleagues who are forever buzzing around and upsetting you and others with their fear-mongering, negativity, and gossip. Unfortunately, this is an all-too-common scenario in many workplaces today.

Step one is to say to yourself, “I am closing the door on the gossip and negativity and fear from these three colleagues who have infested my thinking for the last 3 years.”

Step two is to begin to generate the ways that will allow you to accomplish this (and it is not easy, I know!) Here are some possibilities to consider implementing:

I will be ready to change the subject whenever one or more of them start talking with me and it is negative.

I will specifically speak to each person and let him/her know that I am working hard to stay on the upside instead of the downside and am going to work to focus differently.

I will walk away from situations in the office that look like they will turn into negativity sessions.

I will learn more about the personal parts of every one of these people’s life so that I can ask questions to help them focus on something good that is happening.

I will ask the boss if she/he can encourage all of us to look on the bright side and bring our creativity to situations that seem gloomy.

I will resign from particular committees that involve extensive interaction with these three people and seek different opportunities to contribute to the organization.

These are six options. I have no idea what will work in your situation so you can continue generating possible options or modifications to the ideas suggested above.

Is closing the door on negative people as easy as deciding to eat something besides yogurt everyday for lunch? Nope. You’re up to the challenge, though, aren’t you?

If you want your life to be better, if you want something to be different this time next year, if you want your energy focused on the upside instead of the downside, then you will want to open yourself to solutions.

We explored a whole range of “opening” and “closing” doors recently during our Staying Positive Sunday sessions and these are ready for you to access here:

** http://stayingpositiveinafreakedoutworld.com/Materials.php

We have a positive group and would love to have you join us.

(c) 2010 Meggin McIntosh, Ph.D. | The Ph.D. of Productivity(tm)