Just as we’ve discussed previously in Dealing with Self Sabotage, sometimes we bring ourselves undone – mostly inadvertently. And sometimes there will be others, who on occasion, bring you undone too. Again, this will mostly be unintentional, although there are some who (for a variety of reasons) will consciously try to sabotage your efforts.
Either way, it’s important to be aware of this fact. And even more importantly, to know that you can do something about it. In fact, if you’re going to achieve your goals and live your Super Life you really must do something about it.
It doesn’t really matter why some people might be naysayers; what matters is that you take control of your life and decide who, and what, you want to let affect you.
To start with, I’ve found it helpful to consider this:
- There will always be people who are negative – you don’t have to be one of them
- There will always be people who are negative – you don’t have to listen to them
- There will always be people who are negative – it doesn’t really matter why!
Once you accept this reality then dealing with it becomes that much easier. And you can deal with it, positively, by applying some or all of the following strategies:
- Pinpoint and prepare: Identify those who’re most likely to be negative or critical and, if possible, limit your time with them. If or when you do spend time with these naysayers, then prepare by reminding yourself that just because they think something doesn’t make it true; and just because they believe something doesn’t mean you should, or do, too
- Talk it out: If you think it would be helpful and/or if you think it would achieve something, talk to these people about how their negativity affects you. Explain that they don’t have to share your passion for SuperFastDiet or Super Life, or even believe in what you’re trying to achieve, but that you’d appreciate it if they didn’t put down your attempts to improve and be happy
- Get some perspective: If they continue to spout their negative views and opinions then as already noted, remind yourself that this is just their perspective, which they’re certainly entitled to, but you can also hold onto your own perspective which can be different
- Don’t take it too seriously: And further, if they continue to go on and on, and you continue to find their negative talk distressing then…imagine them talking in a cartoon voice, or that voice people have after breathing in helium, and in this way, remind yourself that you don’t need to take them seriously if you don’t want to!