No More Negativity:
7 Ways!

Mirjam Stoffels

T here is little difference in people, but that little difference makes a big difference. The little difference is attitude. The big difference is whether it is positive or negative.

You must have met them too: Debbie Downer, Negative Nancy or Pessimistic Patty. This kind of people are so entrenched in the bad things that there isn’t any room for the good things in life. And the scary part is, that they inhabit our families and social circles.

It is emotionally draining just being around them and you must be careful because their attitudes are contagious. Negativity perpetuates itself, breeds dissatisfaction and clutters the mind. And when the mind is cluttered with negativity, happiness is much harder to come by.

But life is too short to walk around in a fog of negativity which only brings you down, so here are seven ways to defend yourself against negativity:

 
#1
Be the positivity you want to see in the world
Lead by example. You can’t always save the world, but you can make the world a better place by practicing what you preach. Become self-aware, tap into your compassion and protect your positive space. Talk about positive daily events, common friends, hobbies, or happy news. Keep your conversations with negative people light and focused on optimistic areas the person can relate to. Disarm their negativity, even if it’s just for a little while.

 
#2
Spend more time with positive people
You are the average of the people you spend the most time with. Who you spend your time with has a great impact on the person you eventually become. If you are around cynical and negative people all the time, you will become cynical and negative. Start spending time with nice people who are smart, driven and likeminded. Surround yourself with people who reflect the person you want to be. Choose friends who you are proud to know, people you admire, who love and respect you, people who make your day a little brighter simply by being in it.

 
#3
Don’t take other people’s negativity personally
Most negative people behave negatively to everyone they interact with, not just to you. What they say and do is a projection of their own reality. Their own attitude. Even when a situation seems personal [even if someone insults you directly] it oftentimes has nothing to do with you. Just remember that what others say and do, and the opinions they have, are based entirely on their own self-reflection.

 
#4
Focus on what matters most
Spend the vast majority of your time working to make your goals a reality. This simply means that you don’t really have the time to chit-chat with Negative Nancy down the street, who is alway busy doing something close to nothing. Develop a laser-like focus on your goals, your family, your business and the things that matter most to you. Make better, more positive choices in life by concentrating on where you want to go. Be so busy doing that, that you have no time to listen to the negative things that others are spewing about.

 
#5
Avoid taking on OPS
Stop taking on Other People’s Sh**. They will let you have as much of it as you want, because it relieves them of the burden. Substitute the S-word for ‘stuff’ if you like, but you get the point. Don’t feed into other people’s drama and refuse to participate in any pity party.

 
#6
Change the way you think
The one thing nobody can take away from you is the way you choose to respond to what others say and do. The problem isn’t the events that are negative. The problem is the way you react to those events. Complaining, blaming and criticizing aren’t going to change the situation. Your attitude is your choice and you can’t have a positive life with a negative attitude. When negativity controls your thoughts, it limits your behavior, actions, and opportunities. I have said it before: if you realized how powerful your thoughts were, you would never think another negative thought again.

 
#7
Let go and move on when you must
If all else fails, remove yourself from the wrong situations and relationships. Some people are like dark clouds: when they disappear, it’s a brighter day. Know when it’s time to let go. Letting go of negative people doesn’t mean you don’t care about them, it just means that you care more about your own wellbeing. Every time you subtract negative from your life, you make room for more positive.

 

 
‘Sharing is caring!’
How about the negativity in your life?
Can you keep away from it? If yes, what of the above do you put into practice?
Or do you have some other tips for us?
You can share with us in the comment section below!

Mirjam Stoffels

Founder of seven2success, author of ‘Daily Little Secrets to Success’ and guest blogger at Project Eve and 365 dagen succesvol. In my mission to make seven2success the biggest platform of knowledge and inspiration for women, I want to inspire you with our content! Check us out on Facebook and Twitter! I’d love to connect!  And do you want to inspire other women? Write for us!

 
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