Never let the negativity of others hold you back
In this world, this is possibly one of the most challenging things to do, day in and day out. You can be bombarded daily with negative images from the media and other sources. These images have the meaning to which you decide to them –negative, neutral or positive.
One case which we usually deal with difficulty is when the negativity is from a client, co-worker, boss, or others that we come in close contact with like family and friends and lovers.
Cases like these are always challenging because we have to come in close contact with that negativity.
Take for instance you have a co-worker that is negative
How would you handle this?
I will tell you an example I had. I worked with this guy that was a crab. Just walking around complaining about everything. A real miserable cunt.
At first, when I saw this guy he seemed to give off that impression that he doesn’t want to be approached, so I didn’t go out of my way to get to know him. Then by chance, we started to talk, and we would communicate cordially from there.
When we would work together with others, I noticed that most people didn’t want to be around him and I was curious as to why.
At first, I found this guy amusing — he was very opinionated and didn’t give a damn what anyone said. I guess it was entertaining to me because I didn’t come in contact with him much. Fast forward the story, and now I was partnered with this fellow almost every day.
Needless to say my amusement I felt initially eventually turned to irritation.
I don’t mind a strong opinion, just not an ignorant one based on a farce. This fellows view of the world just didn’t evolve. I remember we had a conversation about history, race and politics and this guy immediately said to me that he knows more about history because he was alive during the 60’s — So before I tried to continue the conversation further, he raised his voice louder as if that would convince me more.
So I reminded myself of a quote that I heard in a Jay-Z song “A wise man learns to never argue with fools, cause from a distance you can’t tell who is who.”
At that moment I merely changed the subject and excused myself. Later on in that day, this guy was in an argument with another fellow, and then I started to realize why others didn’t want to work with him. Yep, you guessed it. He was negative.
So what did I do?
First, I said to myself, “This fools opinion doesn’t mean anything to me and won’t affect my overall goals.”
Second, I said to myself “Even though I have to work with this guy, I will do my best not to judge him anymore, and try to understand his point of view, even though I don’t agree” Doing so opens your mind to see other perspectives.
Third, whenever possible I made sure not to be around this guy if I don’t have too, like during lunch breaks or after work.
It’s not like he was a bully or something like that, that would cause me to retaliate, Its just his toxic energy was draining, and I chose to avoid him out of peace of mind.
Sometimes a guy like this can drag you to their level of ignorance so I need not confront him and argue. Like the old saying goes Choose your battles.
Fourth I chose to remain positive and see the benefit that this situation will have. In dealing with that fellow, it gave me patience because another time in my life me and that guy probably would have been fighting (and in this case, it’s this article that will hopefully be helpful for you)
Conclusion
Sometimes people project their insecurities upon you if you let them. So when it comes from someone who you are in close contact with, do your very best to limit your exposure to them if possible. Just don’t let their negativity hold you back. You are stronger than that. I know it can be difficult, but there is always some positivity that you can gain from it in the long run.