Raise your hand if you’ve had to work with someone you dislike. Your hand is up, right? We’ve all been there- chances are we’ve all suffered through a particularly unpleasant experience working with someone we dislike.
Today I talked to a co-worker who was feeling particularly frustrated with another co-worker. His frustration has grown until it was making him unhappy at work and home.
When your dislike of another person is causing YOU unhappiness, well, that’s a problem! You’re not going to put up with that, are you?
I shared some ideas with my co-worker about how to overcome his unhappiness. Since our conversation I thought back on my past experiences working with someone I didn’t like, and I’ve had plenty of them.
Not letting my feelings get the best of me wasn’t always easy. Whatever the reason for disliking someone I was working with, it was important to me to find a way to be productive and happy in my work- regardless of my feelings about another person.
I’ve successfully used these tips to shift my focus and adjust my attitude so I can enjoy every bit of happiness I can muster up. Life’s too short to be unhappy any more than absolutely necessary!
How to work with someone you don’t like
Be full of love
Too touchy-feeling for you? Stay with me for just a moment while I explain what I mean. When I am frustrated, annoyed, I feel unhappy. I can’t feel annoyed and happy at the same time. However, when I feel loving I feel great, I feel happy, I feel awesome!
If the idea of love still bothers you then you can use joyful- you get the idea.
Approach everyone you meet, including the person you don’t like, with an attitude of love. Ask yourself, “how can I be loving/joyful to this person today?” Are your thoughts, words, and actions loving/joyful? You’ll be happier for it!
Be complimentary
There’s something good in every one. Yep, it’s true. It may not feel true to you right now but I promise you it IS true.
Think about the person’s good qualities and you can take it a step further and compliment them! It will absolutely change how you interact with them and how they interact with you. Everyone is easier to get along with immediately after you’ve given them a genuine compliment. Try it, it works!
Be a cheerleader
Ask a mutual friend or acquaintance what they like about this person. Start a conversation about his or her best skills. Give them a positive recommendation or reference.
The key here is to stop complaining about them and start cheering them on. The more you complain, the more aware you become of your complaints, legitimate as they might be. On the other hand, the more you cheer, the more you appreciate others (and the more they appreciate you!)
Besides, there’s always a chance you might help them get promoted or moved to another area where you won’t have to work with them. Ha!
And for the sake of your own reputation, do not gossip about this person. You’re too awesome for that.
Share and share alike
Instead of focusing on what you don’t like about someone, focus on a shared goal. Make progress on your shared goal. Celebrate your progress together! Enjoy your shared accomplishments!
Congratulations, you did it together. Nicely done.
Be your best
There’s only one way to be your best- do your best and forget the rest! What does your awesomeness have to do with your obnoxious co-worker? Exactly nothing!
You can’t be at your best when you’re preoccupied with someone else’s behavior. Redirect your attention from other people to you and be as awesome as you can be.
