Communication – Personal Development – Business

Job hopping may be a choice if you do not have trust and respect on your job.  You really don’t have to leave if you don’t want to.  Interestingly, Generation Y (usually considered 27 years old and younger) don’t have a problem with this and that alone may appear to be toxic behavior. All of this should be part of our personal development!

1.    Take personal responsibility for every outcome (both personal and professional.) Choose to or choose not to … it’s not that you can’t.

Tags: ability, Be Nice, personal responsibility by Marsha
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First off – thanks to Jezebel for mentioning my article that appeared in the New York Times Thursday by Lisa Belkin. I love it because it is “anti Valentines Day! And to the Business Journal for posting a great article on how to deal with difficult people at work.

The press is wonderful, but it does mean that people “test” me for answers and solutions. We were at a party and there was a very loud, obnoxious   woman sitting next to me at the dinner table. It was made clear that her views were opposite of the six other people dining. The lovely hostess even pulled me in the kitchen to ask for my advice to manage this combination steamroller, know it all, whiner difficult person.

Tags: Be Nice, dealing with difficult people, difficult women by Marsha
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I was interviewed by the New York Times this morning and the reporter reminded me that dealing with jerks can be a real downer.  I believe we have to have laser focus on how to stay UP then they are trying to pull us DOWN.

Tips for building your spirit:
- Stay hopeful.
- Take risks.
- Volunteer two hours a week.
- Celebrate with your family.
- Enjoy the outdoors.
- Share a positive thought.
- List reasons for gratitude.

“The enthusiastic, to those who are not, are always something of a trial.” - Alban Goodier

Tags: Be Nice, personal responsibility, self talk by admin
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No matter what you celebrate this time of year, I wish you joy, happiness and peace. We celebrate Christmas and when our family and friends gather, we take the opportunity to thank the Lord for our blessings. I believe it is my right and your right to enjoy the season however we wish and communicate it in the best way we possibly can from our heart.

I hope you enjoy your family no matter what form it takes; feel good about all your relationships, even the “not perfect” ones and be grateful for whom you have become. Focus on continuing to create a full life, both professionally and personally. Live by your core values and with every moment, remember that you are in total control of your choices.

Tags: Be Nice, communicate, cooperation, Difficult Family Members, kindness by admin
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Start noticing how a simple smile makes you feel. Difficult People with Toxic Behaviors smile less. So I plan to just look pleasant more often and not like I am ready to rip peoples throats out.

I was traveling yesterday from Nashville to Chicago and the flight was delayed two hours because of Mechanical problems. I had a choice on how I handled it as did the people behind the counter. They were gracious and compelling with their approach to a bad situation. They helped me think about how productive I could be in writing my next book proposal with two “extra” hours. And I did just that.

Tags: awareness, bad behavior, Be Nice, calm, dealing with difficult people, Goodwill, perception by admin
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Happy Conflict Resolution Day!!!

BRITNEY SPEARS LYRICS in her song “Toxic”

“Baby, can’t you see I’m calling. A guy like you. Should wear a warning. It’s dangerous. I’m fallin’.”

With all the press she has had – I think we have to agree she is a difficult person and displays toxic behavior.

Well, her choices are awful, but her lyrics mimicked the situation I had today with Direct TV. I was “calling” them to get another cable box for our guest room. The “guy” in customer service should wear a “warning.” The situation was “dangerous” because I felt myself “falling” into that ugly space of Toxic Behavior.

Tags: awareness, Be Nice, Britany Spears, communications, cooperation, dealing with difficult people, difficult people, Toxic, Uncategorized by Marsha
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I write and speak on difficult people and toxic people. But I must say, the majority of folks in life are just terrific. Specifically I want to mention Tricia Moody who wrote the following review on my JUST released book, Toxic People.

Tags: bad behavior, Be Nice, Book review, dealing with difficult people, difficult people, Uncategorized by admin
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Marsha in Washington DC

I was thinking about managing Toxic People. I’m returning from Washington DC today and had some wonderful interactions but also encountered some difficult people.

I have determined that the way you were raised determines how you view the world. If you were waised by Toxic People you will have a tendency to become a difficult person. Kind parents – you have a better chance of being a nicer person.

Did your parents teach you to be suspicious of everyone and everything? My mom did. I couldn’t play with Dougie next door because he had “sneaky” eyes. Thanks Mom – lesson learned. Becoming suspicious about everyone and everything was from the role model provided at home.

Tags: awareness, bad behavior, Be Nice, calm, communications, dealing with difficult bosses, dealing with difficult people, difficult people, perception, sanity by Marsha
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When we deal with people, difficult or not, I think just being plain old nice is a real bonus. Simple notes of appreciation are deposits into anybody’s emotional bank account. Here is what just happened to me…

My stepson, Al Sue IV, (pictured with his sister Karen) is not a difficult person but he reminded me on Mother’s Day how important it is to let people know how you really feel. Fifteen years ago, I named myself the ESM (Evil Step Mother) which I TRY really hard NOT to be.

Here is the email he sent me:

Tags: Be Nice by admin
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