When someone is optimistic, it is much easier for him to answer the challenges of everyday life. The thing is, that it may be difficult to stay positive when you have to deal with people whose attitude is rather negative. The website bmmagazine.co.uk tried to formulate few principles that can help.
1. Avoid interaction with them
If they are your customers, avoid a deeper relationship with them. Be professional; act cordially and stay nice, but keep your distance. If it is your colleague who spreads the negativity, avoid hanging out with him at the office kitchen and only invite him to the meetings where his presence is absolutely necessary. Do not read comments on websites devoted to politics and news, because they are full of negativity.
2. Don’t try to cure them by sharing your optimism with them
Do not show your positive attitude and that you are in a good mood when you are around a pessimist. It will not decrease the level of their negativity and it won’t cheer them up. The effect will be the very opposite. He will feel that he needs to be even more negative in order to compensate for your smiles and bright eyes. Pessimists aim their hatred and unhappiness at people who are obviously way too happy. You don’t want to believe it? Just google “I hate optimists” and browse some of the links.
3. Agree with their complaint, then weaken it by rephrasing
Immediately agree with every negative statement a pessimist makes. And as part of that agreement, rephrase what he just said using words that are less negative. If you hold on, your less grouchy feedback can lower his negativity in the long run.
4. Clear your head after dealing with a negative person
Interactions with pessimists drain your energy. That is why you need to take a short break after this interaction and recharge your emotional batteries. You can visit a colleague who has a positive attitude and have a short talk. If this is not possible, listen to some music or go for a short walk. You need a mental break – otherwise negativity stays stuck on you.
-jk-