There’s no room for negativity in my life! Attitudes are contagious, and I work hard to surround myself only with people that 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 stop negative thoughts 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, a spouse in poor health might express negativity toward your new healthy habits, or 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 Stop Negative Thoughts
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.
What a great article. I try to pass “positive thinking” on to as many people in my world as possible. It has TREMENDOUS power that so many never utilize because they are living in a cloud of negativity. Push it away at all costs!! Thanks for another great post, Chalene!! =)
Thanks Chalene!! I’m going to remind myself of this everyday!!! And of course share it amongst my FB and Twitter friends 🙂
So right on!! Difficult at times when it is a loved one that is the negativity but I keep on smiling!
This was a right now word for me, thank you! I have enough dealing with my own negative thoughts, let alone entertaining the negative thoughts of another person. Either way, focusing on the positive is key!
so true! loved it! 🙂
I’m having such a hard time with this RIGHT now. My father in law just passed away on Friday. A truly loved man. I am enjoying my precious memories while we stumble through this devastation. My husband on the other hand, is full of, “I should have said this”, “I should have done that”, “Did he know this” type stuff and it’s driving me insane! I have told him numerous times, that I am NOT going there. I will NOT have thoughts of what if’s when I have plenty of positive thoughts of what were. He also spent the time he had with his father worrying he was going to fall when they were out, or worrying that he’ get hurt. He has that classic personality where you are so wrapped up in fear and negative thoughts you miss the enjoyment. And, right now I am under a HUGE amount of stress, as I loved my father in law, and, well death is awful. But I’m trying to be supportive of hubby, but I am not falling into his, “would of, could of, should of” mindset. I just can’t figure out how to break his…..
Excellent reminder, thank you!
Thank you and I will practice this daily
great article! just took a page full of notes (probably would have just been easier to print the whole page) 🙂
Great, Heather! So glad it helped!
Thank you for this! I am realizing it is very hard to “clean up” after one’s negative imprint but it has to and can be done. I just had to end a 20yr+ friendship with a friend and her husband because I finally got the courage to. The last 5 or 6 years they became very negative and toxic and I started to see how it was seeping into my life. I am a very positive person and I could see how it was infecting my life and the lives of my husband and our kids. I will no longer allow hate and negativity invade my space.
That’s great you’re being strong, Stefanie! Keep pushing forward, and keep smiling! : )
A good read. This lady inspires me to be better, everyday.
Thanks, Erica! : )
I have found that confidence is a key roll in nixing negativity. The more confident you become the easier it is to put these 4 steps into play. Thanks for your guidance.
Love it! Thanks for your input Brandie!
Since attending Camp do more I find myself looking more for the positive in my world and less at the negative. once in awhile I find myself being dragged down by it but I’m much more aware and can stop it and look at the positive instead thank you for these four keys and keep on smilin’
That’s awesome Shahni!
Thank you Chalene! I needed that!