I spoke with a prospect recently. For several minutes, she went on an on about how bad the drivers are in her town, how rude the clerks are in her favorite store, and generally, how people just don't give a darn about anything anymore.
I talk to a lot of people every day, so I hear stuff like this on a regular basis. And I've learned exactly what to say:
"Thank you for your negativity!"
Her attitude turned on a dime and walked right out the door. The rest of that phone call, not another negative word was heard.
I think most people don't even recognize that they're going down that slippery negative slope. They just need a little help to bring them back to the upbeat, achievement-oriented world. Folks this is on the real and you know it. We have so much to be thankful for, why waste time being negative. It's a downer and no one wants to hear it anyway. People will run away from you so fast and you won't even realize why until it's too late.
Life is ironic. I think of one friend who was incredibly negative most of the time and (in my opinion), that attitude was a major cause of his early death. And yet he was married to a woman who never stopped smiling, who always had a kind word for everyone.
Opposites truly do attract.
She had such a love for everybody that, no matter what he said, it just never seemed to affect her.
I wonder what would have happened if she'd said, "Oh, thank you, dear! Thank you for your negativity!"
The old !#&(*#@ might still be around!
Anyway, when you are faced with that stream of angry words that just won't stop, NOW you know what to say!
Thanks for reading and please share with your friends if you had an aha moment.
Terri Pattio
Mentor with a servant's heart
Comments
Nichola I'm glad to know that you like my blog post. Thank you for reading and sharing so more people can know.
Great advice for all to follow. Terri, thanks for sharing with us! I will like and share for you.
Definitely an aha moment Terri! Like and shared for you! Have a great weekend.
Hi Terri, great PR, thanks for sharing, I try not to be around people like that because its not healthy for you as well. Have a bless day
Thank you Joan and Kathleen for reading and commenting today.
This is great information that useful. I have had many ah ha moments when I could have used this phrase instead of moving on. Some people don't know when they are being negative. Thanks for sharing this. Shared for you.
Love it Terri. I think that is why me and my hubby get on so well. I am always cheery and happy and everyone else calls him grumpy !! Love him to bits though !! Thanks for sharing.