Being around negative people can influence your performance, whether this is in your business or at work. A daily dose of negative vibes can cause stress, anxiety and even influence your thinking.
You can’t always control your environment and who you are surrounded with. However, if your environment seems to be ‘killing you softly’, it’s probably time you learn how to kill the negativity before it kills you.
So how do you know whether you’re dealing with a negative person?
Well, negative people come in all shapes and sizes, no matter their race or background. You can recognise a negative person by a few patterns and characteristics that will keep popping up when you’re around them:
So how do you remain positive around negative people? Probably very straightforward, but sometimes easier said than done…
Focus on positive things
Remaining positive around negative people is not an easy thing to do. It takes work to shift your focus and not allow negativity to affect your entire day. It also requires you to be aware of your own ‘positive’ triggers.
For example, if you’re having to deal with negative people at work you could use your lunch break to recharge and do the following:
- Read a good book
- Listen to uplifting music
- Listen to your favourite podcasts
It may sound cheesy but printing out inspirational quotes and sticking them around your desk might make a big difference too. You can’t control your environment, but you do determine how it affects you.
Disengage yourself from conflict
The more you’re able to stay away from the unnecessary drama the better. It’s okay to disengage yourself from conversations that will not edify, inspire or motivate you. Having to deal with drama on a daily basis actually requires a lot of energy.
Have you ever been around those people who always seem to attract drama wherever they are? And just because you happen to be around them their drama now becomes your drama? And have you stopped talking to some people in your circle just because they had an issue with them?
Exactly. Those are the kind of people you need to keep at an arm’s length if you want to have a positive and drama-free life.
Set your boundaries
Research shows that people are naturally wired to emphasise negative things rather than the positive. This study also reveals that adopting a negative perspective is, therefore, more contagious than adopting positive thinking. So when dealing with negative people it’s even more important to learn how to set your boundaries.
Don’t allow negative people to shut down your ideas or steal your confidence. And don’t entertain comments like… ‘but what if this or that doesn’t work?’ or ‘I couldn’t so you won’t be able to do it’. Protect your energy and be wise about how you associate with negative people.
