STAYING POSITIVE IN A NEGATIVE ENVIRONMENT (part II)

Do you ever feel stuck in negative environments that emotionally drain you with criticism, gossip, or low morale? Here are some ideas for creating positive environments, transforming negative to positive:

- Speak up! Tell other people how you feel. Over time, people will learn what they can and cannot talk about with you and it won't be an issue. If you say nothing, your silence often gives them permission to continue.

- Use the words, "This doesn't work for me." It's nonjudgmental and it's about you, not them. People often don't realize they are being negative -- you can point it out to them in a gentle and caring way, "Do you realize you are complaining?" Sometimes, just bringing it to their attention is enough to shift the conversation.

- Make your conversations constructive; in other words, the conversation should be positive, meaningful, and beneficial. What's the point or purpose of the conversation? Is it to hurt or help? And at the end of the conversation, what would you like to have happen? Is there an action step to take? Constructive conversations feel good. They are empowering and have the effect of leaving people better off from having participated in them.

- Offer praise! It's amazing what a few words of praise and acknowledgement can do to make people feel good.

No matter what is going on around you, you control your inner environment and how you choose to respond to external events and situations. It takes a true leader to walk a path different from the crowd. When others are negative, you can be positive in spite of what they do or think. It's the only way to create a ripple of change.
Source: ADVANCE for Healthcare



You don't want to miss this! Brookline authors and former Boston Globe writers Carey Goldberg, Beth Jones, and Pamela Ferdinand present their new book - Three Wishes: A True Story of Good Friends, Crushing Heartbreak, and Astonishing Luck on Our Way to Love and Motherhood. As seen on the Today Show on NBC!

Brookline Booksmith 279 Harvard St. Wed., May 5, 7-8 PM
Brookline Commission For Women forum on "Happily Ever After?" at main Brookline library Thurs., May 6, 6-8 PM

http://threewishesthebook.com



THERAPEUTIC MASSAGE GIFT CERTIFICATES AND EASY RELAXING MEDITATION CDs MAKE THOUGHTFUL GIFTS FOR:
* HARD-WORKING OFFICE STAFF ON ADMINISTRATIVE PROFESSIONALS DAY
(WED. APRIL 21st)
* MOTHER'S DAY
(SUN. MAY 9th)!