We all get down sometimes and have difficult days, so being negative from time to time is quite normal.  However, when you are in situations where negativity is the norm, it is time to act.  Nerida found this fantastic quote by Jim Rohn on the Zen Habits website, which really made us pause and think:

“You are the average of the 5 people you spend the most time with”.

What this quote means is that who you spend your time with has an impact on the person you eventually become.  We think this is very true, and the article accompanying this quote then goes on to discuss how when you hang out with negative people you often start to feel negative in yourself, like a bad aftertaste.  In contrast, when spending time with positive people, you tend to feel extremely upbeat and exuberant. Clearly, there is a spill over effect that takes place even after the interaction!

Have a think about your home and work colleagues, and maybe read the full blog ‘7 simple tips to deal with negative people’, it is a good read and is something that you might like to pass around your office or send to your HR department.  Remember, we all need to take individual responsibility for how we feel, you cannot make someone become ‘positive’, but you can be aware that by spending more time with negative people, your thoughts and emotions will slowly become negative too. At first it might be temporary, but over time it’ll slowly become ingrained in you.

Siwan and Nerida

PS we now have a new webpage that provides knowledge about ‘People and relationships’ we are happy to put any of your recommendations for resources relating to this topic so we can share that with others…..