3 Great Ways to Deal With Negative People

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How often do you encounter negative people on a normal day? Negative people are more often than not critical, judgmental, and distrustful of other people. If you are extremely lucky, it might be that your exposure to negativity is limited – maybe a supervisor you rarely contact, or your grouchy aunt that you see only on holidays, can bring your spirits down. For most others though, routine contact with negative people can be a fact of life. And they aren’t just limited to your coworkers. Family members living in your own household, your best friends, and even your significant other can spread their negativity to those around them. So how do you deal with such people, whilst maintaining your positive spirits? Enlisted here are some such ways.

1. Get them help

Their negative behavior is usually rooted in some other problem, insecurity, or anxiety that they are unable to face. Try and approach them in a caring manner and ask if they are happy, if there is anything they would like to talk about. Suggest the option of seeing a counselor, with whom they can speak confidentially. Assure them that it is quite normal to seek professional help for emotional issues, and that it will benefit them later. Of course, this option works best for personal relations, viz family members and loved ones.

2. Don’t let their negativity affect you

This approach is more relevant for professional relations. Don’t let their negative behavior affect you, and turn a deaf ear to their judgments and criticism. If there is a coworker who spreads pessimism, ignore it and focus on your work. If it is a manager or boss who always spoils the atmosphere, don’t take it personally. Try to follow the “in one ear and out the other” policy, and maintain a positive outward appearance. If you refuse to get provoked, and refuse to get drawn into the same negative mindset, they will realize that their behavior does not produce an impact.

3. Be direct with them

Tackle the issue head on by confronting such people about their negativity. Tell them that their behavior is thwarting effective communication and cooperation. In many cases, negative people get away with their behavior because no one is upfront with them about how it affects them.