Negative people are all around you. You donât have to look far to find someone that has a negative outlook on life.
However, you donât have to allow these people to drag you down with them, either. In fact, you might be able to save a few of them, or at least make them smile for a change. They might even thank you for it.
A negative person can sometimes benefit from having their perspective shaken up a little. You can be the person that causes them to question their negative way of life. Consider it to be charitable work that doesnât strain your schedule or your pocketbook.
Try these techniques to be a positive influence on the negative people in your life:
1. Stay positive. Just because youâre dealing with someone thatâs chronically negative, it doesnât mean you have to allow your mood to be altered. You can choose to keep a positive attitude regardless of those around you. This can certainly be challenging at times, but itâs not impossible!
⦠Be an example of how to behave when faced with negativity. You can inspire others to raise their personal standards and be positive, too.
2. Ask them questions that stimulate positive thinking. Ask someone in a negative frame of mind about their favorite restaurant or vacation. You could ask them to recount their favorite childhood memory.
⦠This is a great tactic for making friends or turning a first date into a second. Make people feel good and theyâll appreciate you for it.
3. Make them laugh. Everyone loves to laugh. Share a good joke or a funny story from your past. Show that youâre willing to laugh at yourself, too. Laughter is an excellent way to boost someoneâs mood. Ask them to tell you a funny story. Just thinking about something funny can soften their attitude.
4. Give a compliment. No matter how negative someone might be, a sincere compliment can raise their spirits. If you know the person, you probably have a good idea of whatâs important to them. This can help you to target your compliment and make it more meaningful.
⦠Make a promise to yourself that youâll give at least one sincere compliment each day.
5. Make one of your goals public and achieve it. Prove that itâs possible to make progress in life. Many people are negative because they believe theyâre stuck and canât make a positive change in their lives. Let people see that itâs possible to set a goal and achieve it.
⦠Others could be inspired to follow your example.
6. Be kind. Show kindness to everyone, even those that are negative. A little kindness can help to turn someoneâs day around.
⦠Make a list of people in your life that could use a little kindness. Now, make a list of things you could do for each of them. Make a plan to do one kind thing for each person on your list. Notice the results this has on them and on you.
7. Ask. Ask the other person how theyâre doing. Ask if thereâs anything you can do to help. Just showing that you care can have an impact. Many negative people donât receive a lot of attention or care. Youâll feel good about yourself, too.
Negative people can harm your attitude if youâre not careful. While you canât control others, you can influence them.
Be the poster child for optimism and positivity. Everyone loves a positive person, and everyone wants to be in a better mood. You can be that person for all the negative people in your world.
Donât just avoid negative people, help them. Youâll both be glad you did!