I have always been viewed as (annoyingly perhaps) a positive person.

When I meet someone with a “Debbie Downer” type of attitude (just Google Debbie Downer SNL for a laugh).

I find myself working very hard to shed some optimistic energy their way in hopes of lifting them up. Sometimes my efforts work and sometimes they are wasted.

Occasionally we come across people at work or in our lives who have a negative mindset. Often we don’t know how to approach the person or the situation and we can’t figure out how to help that person to see the brighter side of things.

Below are a few options that may help with communicating and/or dealing with generally negative people

5 tips to manage negative people

1.  Don’t debate with a negative person

When you debate your point of view with a negative person, you are only providing fuel for their fire. They are most likely not going to be swayed from their negative viewpoint because you have voiced a counter opinion. The best course of action might be to change the subject to something more positive, and redirect the negativity to something more worthy of conversation. If that doesn’t work you can always excuse yourself from the situation to attend to more important needs, like work, restroom, lunch or the impeding task you need to do or call you need to make.

2. Help them with their current problem or issue

Maybe the correct step would be to provide the person with a solution to their problem. Pointing out solutions to their problem might gain traction to positive thinking, and it also indirectly avoids debating your disagreements.

3. Ignore negative statements 

Sometimes just ignoring a negative statement might be the best course of action. If no one in the room has a reaction to the statement at hand, hopefully the naysayer will adjust their thought process. Not only does the statement get ignored, it may get a second thought which (hopefully) will be on a more positive note.

4. Give a positive spin on negative thoughts

Expose the silver lining that surrounds every dark cloud. People often need to be reminded of the brighter side of things. A negative thought or opinion may need to be redirected by positive redirection. Pointing out the positive aspects of the situation, will hopefully get the negativity to be redirected.

5. Surround yourselves with positive people

If you want to keep on a positive note, surround yourself with positive people. Take the negative person into a positive situation and/or atmosphere where she or he can disregard their negative viewpoints and start seeing the brighter side of things. It’s been proven that being around positive thinking, likeminded people, will encourage positive thoughts and viewpoints.

Sometimes a person with a negative mindset just needs a different point of view, or maybe a change in scenery to reboot back to a more positive outlook. Take the extra step to help others get back on a positive track! You cannot have positive success with a negative mind!

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Fun to Watch:

Debbie Downer SNL:      https://screen.yahoo.com/debbie-downer-snl-skits/debbie-downer-thanksgiving-dinner-000000704.html