Dealing with People that Drive You Crazy!

We all know someone who just drives us batty. Perhaps the person is too noisy, too borish, or too flashy. Perhaps the person is too gossipy, critical, or lazy. There are hundreds of reasons why we may not relate well to a person.

In my case, the person was both loud and talkative. He thought he was funny; I thought he was insensitive. So I decided to just ignore him... pretend he didn't exist. That strategy worked well for a few months until a close friend accused me of being rude.

"Rude?" I scoffed. "I don't think so."

"Ignoring someone is rude," Pat reminded me. "Acting like someone doesn't exist is one of the worst ways you can treat someone. You always told me that you hated feeling invisible yet that is EXACTLY how you treat Earl."

"But he just drives me crazy!" I said trying to defend myself. "If I talk to him I'm just going to say something mean and rotten. Isn't that worse?"

"At least you'd be acknowledging that he's human," she persisted.

"Barely!" I said.

I turned away in a red-faced huff. Pat obviously didn't understand! Still her words lingered in my mind. No matter how I tried to justify my behavior, I couldn't convince myself that she was wrong.

I had to change my behavior.

I started with very small attempts at conversation. First I offered a basic greeting, "Hi Earl."

Then I asked a question and listened to the response. Before I knew it, we were having real conversations, laughing together, and dare I admit, enjoying our new friendship.

Was it difficult to start talking with Earl? At first, most definitely yes. My first challenge, of course, was to climb down off my high horse without falling on my face!

But I'm glad that I dropped the mask of indifference. Earl has become a good friend. He can make me laugh at myself and the world because he doesn't take life too seriously. Yes, Earl can still be loud. He definitely talks too much; and don't share your secrets with him.

He still drives me batty at times, but for the most part, I just laugh and enjoy our friendship. It was only after becoming his friend that I realized how exhausting it was to ignore him. Now my energy is spent on other things... things, like Earl, that matter.

=================================================================
Copyright 2005. Donna Doyon, Activities Coordinator for Your Virtual Retreat is the author of GLOW: Renew Your Spirit & Release Your Inner Beauty. She offers information, inspiration and encouragement to people who want to say goodbye to self defeating attitudes and behaviors and hello to greater success, healthier relationships and more joyful living. Get inspired at her website: http://www.donnadoyon.com.

Wood Dale Chicago prom limo .. Lockport Chicago limo O’Hare
In The News:

Porch pirates are on the prowl this holiday season. Tech guru Kurt "CyberGuy" Knutsson has a number of tips to prevent holiday package thefts.
Fueled by artificial intelligence, CyberDog the robotic dog is designed specifically locate fire ant nests, which are endangering ecosystems.
Stay up to date on the latest AI technology advancements and learn about the challenges and opportunities AI presents
Internet browsers are useful, but they can be dangerous. Clicking on malicious links can direct you to dangerous websites that steal information or infect your device.
Apple's latest iOS update introduces advanced artificial intelligence capabilities, which may be capturing and analyzing sensitive information.
Breach site confirmed 56,904,909 Hot Topic users' data leaked online. Tech expert Kurt “CyberGuy" Knutsson says the company's silence makes matters even worse.
Tech expert Kurt “CyberGuy" Knutsson discusses how an innovative Easy-Way kit turns standard strollers electric, simplifying navigation for parents.
Tech expert Kurt “CyberGuy" Knutsson talks about T-Mobile being hacked in broad cyberattack on global phone and internet companies.
Tech expert Kurt “CyberGuy" Knutsson shows you how to add, customize and manage widgets for quick access to apps and info from your iPhone home screen.
Wrong Google searches can not only compromise your device and personal data. They can also bring law enforcement to your doorstep. Hackers are targeting Google searches.
China's Shanghai Kepler Robotics has developed a new humanoid robot that can carry up to 35 pounds per hand for commercial applications across various industries
Checking your hearing has gotten easier with the new hearing test feature in AirPods Pro 2. You can take reliable hearing tests using your iPhone or iPad.
Stay up to date on the latest AI technology advancements and learn about the challenges and opportunities AI presents now and for the future.
Kurt "CyberGuy" Knutsson explains how a VPN — virtual private network — works and how running it can slow down the operation of your device.
The WalkON Suit F1, an exoskeleton developed to help people with disabilities, can actually walk over to a person in a wheelchair, solving a major problem.
ClickFix, a new scam targeting computer users, is on the rise in the U.S. The scam prompts its targets to click on a link to fix a problem.
Skydweller is the world's largest unmanned solar-powered aircraft that can stay airborne for weeks, and even months, without refueling.
The U.S. government said it is investigating after People's Republic of China hackers targeted commercial telecommunications service providers in the U.S.
Stay up to date on the latest AI technology advancements and learn about the challenges and opportunities AI presents now and for the future.
Scammers are using increasingly sophisticated ways to lure unsuspecting victims, and some are impersonating an email help desk or support team.
You can unsend or edit your iMessages with the latest iOS updates. Kurt the CyberGuy explains how you can save yourself some potential embarrassment.
Kurt “CyberGuy" Knutsson says there’s been a rise in cybercriminal services using hacked police and government emails to send subpoenas and data requests to U.S. companies.
Kurt “CyberGuy" Knutsson discusses how Axiom Space and luxury designer Prada are collaborating on NASA's Artemis III spacesuit design.
Voice assistants may cause confusion across devices. Tech expert Kurt “CyberGuy" Knutsson offers some solutions to fix it.

Recruiting Government Workers As Franchisees

Many believe a leaner government promotes better freedoms with respect... Read More

Do You Want to Get Others to Improve Their Performance? Then Expect the Best

Recently I decided to stretch my athletic abilities and add... Read More

The Stages Of Team Development

One of the greatest challenges a coaching manager has is... Read More

Staying Informed Key For Your Team

We exist in such a rapidly-changing environment. Technology is moving... Read More

Leading To A Preferred Future

Last month's edition of Footprints and Monuments illustrated a parallel... Read More

Story Telling With a Purpose

For a brief time, I tried to sell life insurance.... Read More

If You Can?t See It, They Won?t Do It

Recently, while developing a customer service program, I asked my... Read More

How Does Personal Development Help in Business?

Teams run most businesses and teams work best if each... Read More

Putting Your Expert Team Together

As a freelance writer myself, I know how important it... Read More

Franchisee Relations and Team Work

Franchisees of a particular franchise must get along in order... Read More

Checklist for High Performing Teams

Why do some teams perform well while others struggle? How... Read More

Brainstorm

Ever lost for ideas while working in a group? One... Read More

Communication between franchisees in a franchise system

If you own a franchise you would be wise to... Read More

4 Tips for Keeping a Team Motivated

Companies often have incentives for reps, but sometimes that isn't... Read More

What?s Wrong With You, Why Don?t You Understand Me?

Recently while waiting for our lunch to be served in... Read More

Intercultural Team Building

Internal business structures have been radically transformed over the past... Read More

Go On, Be A Tiger

From the moment he putted with Bob Hope on the... Read More

A Team That Gleamed

Too many techies get a bad rap for lacking teamwork... Read More

Team and Organizational Survival Strategies for Turbulent Economic Times

Survival: The Name of the New Economic Game People rarely... Read More

Building Teams

Young minds are quite easy to shape. International Terrorist recruiters... Read More

Building Teams -You see it everywhere

A college football team has it. A corporation has it.... Read More

Leadership Quality Through Kindness

In days past, loyalty was a given. The worker in... Read More

Team Building Celebration Plan -- Perfect For Any Time of Year

When was your last team celebration? Have you been way... Read More

Business Innovation ? Effective Team Structures

Creativity can be defined as problem identification and idea generation... Read More

How to Turn Idea Squashers into Possibilities

Managing a small business continues to become more challenging. However,... Read More

Antigo wedding limo ..