There’s no room for negativity in my life!  Attitudes are contagious, and I work hard to surround myself with people who lift me up.  You must protect your positive attitude. Negativity only detracts from your destination.  Do you have negative people in your life?  Well, I have four tips to help you learn how to respond to negativity and stay focused on the positive.

But first, know that it is not your responsibility to make another person happy.  Negativity comes from those who are unhappy with themselves or their own circumstances.  However, it might be directed at you because you have triggered something in them. For instance, your success may trigger negativity from a less successful friend. Or a spouse in poor health might express negativity toward your new healthy habits. A coworker might nitpick at you because of their feelings about their own unmet potential.  These are their problems, not yours.

But there are ways to deal with these people without letting it affect your own positive attitude. And you may even encourage them to be more positive themselves!  While some people recommend simply ignoring negativity, here’s what works for me…

4 Steps to Nix Negativity

1. Respond in Kindness.

Always respond in kindness and with love in your heart.   Don’t match negative with more negative.  Be kind.  You can have empathy for their situation or what they might be feeling, but also know it’s their “issue” not yours.

2. Respond with a Smile or “Thank You.”

If someone has a negative comment to make, just smile, or reply with a “thank you” to put an end to the conversation.  Disputing or arguing with them only heightens negativity.  Remember, while you might not be able to change the person’s attitude, your reaction is the one thing you can control.

3. Let it Go.

Hanging on to a person’s negative remarks or the jabs they’ve taken only gives their negativity more energy and brings you down. You must decide to let it go.

4. Ignore it.

Finally, when all else fails, just ignore it.  Sometimes a positive response just won’t do the trick.  And in those situations, you must simply ignore it.   Don’t let it the negativity affect you.  Remind yourself that it’s not your issue. Let go of whatever was said, and move forward. Stay focused on the positive! And do your best to surround yourself with more people that fuel that positivity.

More Resources to Get Rid of Negativity:

7 Signs to Let go of a Friendship

How to Deal with Negative People

 

Want more great tips and resources on improving balance, energy, organization, health fitness, relationships, focus, faith and happiness? Each episode of my podcast, The Chalene Show is designed to give you strategies and simple steps you can implement today to become a better, more balanced, happier version of yourself. LISTEN NOW!

Helpful Resources:

Chalene’s Courageous Confidence Club: www.courageousconfidenceclub.com

This program gives you the tools you need to build confidence in every area of your life.

 

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