Are you feeling dragged down by the negativity around you? Maybe it’s the critical comments you hear others making at work. Maybe it’s the complaints you hear at home. Or maybe a friend is going through a “downer” phase and it’s beginning to affect your perspective, too.

Each of us, every day, is posed with the opportunity (and temptation) to be critical, and focused on the negative. But I’ve found that as we stay positive we are emotionally and physically more healthy, more happy, and more productive.

As I was writing my book, When You’re Running on Empty, I included ways that we can be someone who builds others up, not tears them down. And I also included ways to not get sucked into the negativity trap. See if these help you stay positive and productive today:

1. Limit your time around the “drainers.”  Do you hang around people who build you up or tear you down? Are most of your closest friends those who fuel your tank or drain you with their negative waves and depressing attitude?  Builders are harder to find, but they do exist. Being positive is a choice and when it starts becoming difficult, you may have to make careful and conscientious choices in terms of limiting the amount of interaction you have with people who drain you.
2. Look for the good in every situation.   One positive element of being around a drainer is that you learn what you’ll sound like if you become one of them. Look for the good in the situation everyone else is complaining about and you’ll be visibly — and audibly — living out God’s will in front of others.  First Thessalonians 5:18 tells us “give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” That tells me we should be looking for the “thank you, God” in ALL situations…even the one everyone else around you is complaining about.
3. Let it Go. Sometimes we just hang onto things too long. A hurtful comment someone made about us. A stressful situation we can’t do anything about.  Even trivial things that don’t really matter in the long run. Let it slide off your shoulders and move on. The freedom of living lightly (and not loaded down) is a choice. Decide to let go of things that don’t ultimately matter….and things that threaten your peace of mind.

For more ways to keep positive, keep moving forward and keep yourself from running on empty, see my book by the same title. And I’d love to hear how YOU prevent negativity from ruining your day.