Written by Angel from Marc & Angel Hack Life
If you’ve been feeling drained by your regular encounters with difficult people, we urge you to gradually implement and practice the strategies we’ve outlined below, one at a time. Then, as you’re doing this, proactively remind yourself not to engage in this person’s negative behavior. Don’t get sucked in. Keep your composure. Keep your inner peace.
Do so by reading the following truths to yourself daily, until they become deeply rooted in your consciousness.
12 Truths That Will Bring Peace When You Deal with Difficult People
- The greatest stress you go through when dealing with a difficult person is not fueled by the words or actions of this person; it is fueled by your mind giving their words and actions importance.
- It’s okay to be upset. It’s never okay to be cruel. Rage, hate, resentment, and jealousy do not change the hearts of others—they only change yours.
- Forgive others, not because they deserve forgiveness, but because you deserve peace. Free yourself of the burden of being an eternal victim.
- Stay positive when negativity surrounds you. Smile when others refuse to. It’s an easy way to make a difference in the world around you.
- Gossip and drama end at a wise person’s ears. Be wise. Seek to understand before you attempt to judge. Use your judgment not as a weapon for putting others down, but as a tool for making positive choices that help you build your own character.
- Always set an example. Treat everyone with kindness and respect, even those who are rude to you—not because they are nice, but because you are. And do your best to be thankful for rude and difficult people too—they serve as great reminders of how not to be.
- The way we treat people we strongly disagree with is a report card on what we’ve learned about love, compassion, and kindness. Life is too short to argue and fight. Count your blessings, value the people who matter, and move on from the drama with your head held high.
- Don’t expect to see positive changes in your life if you constantly surround yourself with difficult people. The great danger of being around difficult people too often is that you start to become like them without even knowing it. So be mindful of the daily company you keep. (Just because you are kind and respectful to someone, does not mean you have to spend extra time with them.)
- Remember that what others say and do and the opinions they have are based almost entirely on their own self-reflection. Don’t take things personally. Instead of getting angry over the words of others, choose to be mindful and choose to grow stronger, one way or the other, because of them.
- Let the opinions of others inform you . . . don’t let them limit you. Don’t let anyone’s ignorance, hate, drama, or negativity stop you from being the best person you can be. If you find yourself constantly trying to prove your worth to others, you’ve already forgotten your value. Take a deep breath, and do what you know is right.
- If you really want to be happy and peaceful, then stop being afraid of being yourself, and stop thinking about what others think of you every second. There’s nothing selfish about giving yourself enough space for self-care. We can’t give what we don’t have. Experience life on your terms and you’ll be life-giving to others.
- Make it a daily ritual to work hard in silence, to do what you have to do, and to ignore the drama, discouragement, and negativity surrounding you. Let your success be your noise in the end.
Habits of Happy, Successful Relationships
If you appreciated the above excerpt from 1,000 Little Habits of Happy, Successful Relationships, I guarantee you will appreciate the rest of the book…
Sometimes we need to be reminded to actually practice the little habits that allow us to better understand and nurture the right bonds, or let go of the wrong ones. We need to be reminded to be selective in our battles, too. Oftentimes peace and love in our lives and relationships are both better than being right. We simply don’t need to attend every argument we’re invited to.
And that’s why Marc and I are publishing “1,000 Little Habits of Happy, Successful Relationships” – to be that daily reminder for anyone who’s struggling to change their relationship situation for the better. It’s an inspiring touchstone filled with our best advice on overcoming relationship setbacks, letting go of anger and toxicity, fostering intimacy and trust, expressing our needs, showing gratitude, and more. Order “1,000 Little Habits” now and read it with a partner, with a friend, or solo.
About the author: Angel and Marc Chernoff are New York Times-bestselling authors and the creators of Marc & Angel Hack Life, which was recognized by Forbes as “one of the most popular personal development blogs.” Marc and Angel’s new book, “1,000 Little Habits of Happy, Successful Relationships” is a simple yet powerful book that offers instant insight for anyone seeking to better understand and nurture the bonds that bring us together and make our lives whole.