TALKING WITH YOUR CO-WORKERS

2. BE A POSITIVE PRESENCE:

Greet people happily and even if you are having a bad day, try not to spread gloom at work. Understand the concept of WOW–watch our words. What you say reflects what you feel and believe. Let your voice be a positive one of encouragement in the workplace. Offer smiles, compliments, and support to others.

*If you are going through a rough time or have experienced a 
tragic event, do speak with your supervisor or a trusted 
coworker to let her know that you might need support.

3. APPROACH A PROBLEM COLLEAGUE:

If a colleague’s negativity is bringing you down, try approaching him politely. It’s entirely possible he’s making others uncomfortable too, but nobody feels comfortable explaining the problem.

*Keep your statements “I”-focused, such as “I would like to 
talk to you about something. I notice that lately you’ve been 
talking a lot about what bothers you about your clients. I know 
we all have irritations with our clients, but the consistent focus 
on negativity is really making it hard for me to stay positive 
and energized at work. Would you like to talk about what’s 
going on?” Using “I”-statements avoid issuing blame or 
sounding judgmental and can keep your coworker from going 
on the defensive.

TALKING WITH YOUR CO-WORKERS:

1. SPEAK KINDLY:

It can be tempting to use negativity when talking about issues, especially if they are serious problems. However, negativity breeds more negativity. Try these tactics instead:

Instead of saying something like “Bad idea—it’ll never work,” say something like, “I have concerns about that. Would you like to hear them?”

Instead of passive aggression, which says things you don’t mean or communicates sarcastically, be direct. For example, avoid saying things like, “No, why would I have a problem?” if you are upset. Instead, try something like, “Yes, I am not happy with how you’ve been talking to me in front of my coworkers. Can we talk?”

Workplace gossip can be a huge problem that contributes to negative attitudes. Don’t participate in it.

RELEASING NEGATIVITY:

2. AVOID NEGATIVE TRIGGER ITEMS:

Do you always feel negative after reading certain newspapers? Perhaps watching the morning news puts you in a downward spiral. When you have identified what things cause you to have a bad attitude, try to reduce your exposure to these items.

*If you cannot reduce your exposure to negative items, 
change your reaction to them. When you see negative news 
like a story about a natural disaster, think instead about how 
you could help. Could you donate money, clothes, food, or 
your time? Consider positive actions that you can take in 
response to negative items.

3. REDUCE INTERACTIONS WITH NEGATIVE PEOPLE:

If you have one particular colleague who always brings you down, try to reduce your interactions with him. If it is impossible to avoid him, ask him positive questions. Ask him what is going well with his work that day. Ask him what his favorite movies are. Try to steer your conversations towards positive topics.

RELEASING NEGATIVITY

1. TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR YOUR ATTITUDE:

Although your circumstances can certainly influence how you feel, you develop your attitude from how you approach your circumstances. You alone determine how you respond to your personal situation. Recognizing that change begins with you is the first step towards improving your attitude.

*For example, even if you have a horrible boss or a negative 
coworker, you can still choose to respond in negative or in 
positive ways. Will you contribute to the problem, or will you 
work to make it better?

*Negativity can spread from person to person. Do not let 
yourself be a transmitter.

LETTING GO OF NEGATIVITY

FORGIVE YOURSELF AND OTHERS:

Holding grudges and dwelling on your imperfections will only emphasize a negative attitude. Being able to forgive and let go will allow you to focus on the positive in yourself and others.

The act of forgiveness will remove negative attitudes and create space for positive attitudes. But it will also decrease stress and increase peace and calm in your life.

LIMIT OR REMOVE NEGATIVE PEOPLE FROM YOUR 
LIFE:

The people with whom we surround ourselves have a significant impact on our attitudes. Limiting or removing negative people from your life will start helping you change your attitude.

If you can’t remove a person from your life entirely, or you don’t want to hurt him, you can limit your exposure to him. You can also counteract his negative attitudes and viewpoints by pointing out the positive in what he says or does. This way, you don’t get drawn down his negative path.

FOCUSING ON THE POSITIVE

SURROUND YOURSELF WITH POSITIVE PEOPLE:

Having supportive people around you who can put things in perspective is important to cultivating a positive attitude. Surrounding yourself with positive people will counteract negativity and help you change your attitude.

HELP OTHERS:

Simple acts of kindness and helping others can do wonders for your attitude. Not only can put things in perspective about your life, but it can distract you from problems and generally make you feel more positive.

Consider volunteering at a hospital or old age homes. Realizing that you are healthy and have the means to support yourself will put your life in perspective. Doing this can also help you to actively choose to change negativity in your life.

Helping friends and family members can also help you change a bad attitude because you’re making someone else feel good, which in turn will make you feel good.

Giving and receiving love and support will make your perspective on life increasingly positive.

LETTING GO OF NEGATIVITY

LIST NEGATIVE THINGS IN YOUR LIFE AND BEGIN TO CHANGE THEM:

Acknowledging what is negative in your life will allow you to see what you can control and change. Burn the list to symbolize letting go of negativity.

On a piece of paper, list anything in your life that you consider negative. Read the list and check off what you can change. For example, you can change negative relationships with others by removing them from your life or you can change bad finances by taking steps to save money.

Once you’ve thought about how to change the negative influences in your life, burn the paper to symbolize letting go and write a new list with positive things in your life.

FOCUSING ON THE POSITIVE

MAKE A LIST OF EVERYTHING FOR WHICH YOU’RE GRATEFUL

Being grateful will help cultivate a positive attitude. Listing all of the things for which you’re thankful will help you counteract any negative thoughts that may arise.

In situations where you feel negative, read the list of things for which you’re grateful. This will remind you to stay positive.

USE POSITIVE WORDS:

The language you choose significantly influences your attitude and emotional outlook. Using positive words and statements throughout the day will help you stay positive and counteract negativity.

Use phrases like “I am hopeful” or “we will find a resolution”. These will help you and others around you stay positive.

Giving yourself a positive affirmation every morning when you wake up will set off your day on a positive path. For example, you can say to yourself “today is going to be a great day. I feel good and I’m ready to make a difference.”

Write positive quotes and put them in strategic places. If you have reminders of positive things, you’ll be more likely to have positive thoughts and feelings throughout the day.

FOCUSING ON THE POSITIVE

SEE THE POSITIVE IN EVERYTHING:

Negative thoughts and attitudes are draining and if you give in to them, they will become stronger. Seeking out the positive in any person or situation will help shift your mindset to a positive one.

.Even in the worst situations, there is always something positive. It might take some time to recognize, but being able to see the positive aspects in anything will help you avoid negativity.

One study showed that a positive attitude contributes to success more than anything else, including knowledge or skills.

LETTING GO OF NEGATIVITY

LET GO OF EXPECTATIONS:

Negativity often begins with expectations of yourself or others. Letting go of unrealistic or negative expectations will not only help you change your attitude, but will also create a positive environment.

Accept that nothing is perfect. Imperfection adds character and letting go of any expectations of perfection will help you focus on the positive in any person or situation.

Whenever something bad happens, forget it as much as possible and then actively imagine things you want to happen. Likewise, if a person says something negative, consider it briefly and then let it go. Dwelling on negativity will only make you feel negative.