Nothing Personal

Nothing Personal

Is there someone in your life, no matter what you do, who finds a way to make you feel not quite good enough or flawed in some way? You know, the type who wouldn't be impressed if you climbed Mount Everest using only a package of dental floss then flew home to accept an Oscar. Regardless of your relationship with this Negative Nanny or Ned, you probably feel the sting of his/her comments, even if you know you shouldn't. In fact, it is rarely personal.

Not personal? This may sound crazy at first, but just take a second to think about it. If someone rolls their eyes when you tell them excitedly about your new job or the great guy/girl you met, is the problem really about you? The fact is, their reaction is most likely coming from their own insecurities, fears or anger and has very little to do with you as a person. Use your own judgment to decide if there is any merit to the criticism or not. It can be truly liberating to realize why they might be acting that way, and it becomes so much easier to stop yourself from lashing back in anger or sulking away with your tail between your legs. Of course, you shouldn't be a floor mat and let people walk all over you. But you can simply be honest without launching an all-out counterattack. Accept their behavior for what it is: nothing personal.

by T.L. Scribe