Being in the people business, dealing with lots of freelance contractors -- I am constantly dealing with many different types of people. Some that I know already and many new people. What I've learned is that people are people, different color skins, different heights and weights, different religious backgrounds, the list of differences goes on -- in the physical world.
Since most of my work is conducted over the phone or the internet -- it isn't really the physical differences I deal with daily -- it is the "emotional soup" that surrounds people. And in this area people are not that different. An example of what I'm saying is simple -- if I took 100 people and held their hand over an open flame the reaction would be universal. Okay let's try a more difficult example -- the economy is weak, freelance jobs are scarce, more competitive and your "Sub-Prime" Mortgage is set to re-adjust. That same 100 people will not act the same.
Are you an Optimist or a Pessimist? Is your glass half empty, or half full? Are you quick to predict the sky is falling just b/c a cloud moved in front of the sun?
Now if you're 5'10" and weigh 300lbs you might need to buy an extra seat to fly Southwest Air, not much you can do about that. However if you're nickname is "Chicken-Little" b/c your friends know that you are the first to predict the end of the world -- I'm here to tell you it doesn't have to be that way.
Are you a "Yeller" and "Screamer"? When you get up tight are you the type of person that wants to share your misery? Or are you someone that is admired for being "Unflappable"? Many of the people I deal with daily don't realize that even with their most intimate circle of friends, colleagues, and relatives the "Screamer" the "Negative Thinker" is scary for the rest of us. Not only is it scary YOUR NEGATIVE ENERGY can contamnate everyone you come in contact.
The other day I was working jointly with a colleague on a project. This is a great opportunity and very lucrative for both our firms, and a very challenging situation at the same time. I suggested we take a break from the office and go out and make some customer calls. He is also involved in another business with his wife who is a "Yeller/Screamer" personality and decided to stay in his office and try to diffuse and buffer the situation with his wife and employees, while at the same time he said he would be more productive trying to finish up the work on our project. I knew better and decided to go my own way and have an enjoyable afternoon. In the end the negativity that he incurred not only filled inside of him, he proceeded to become a CONDUCTOR or AGENT of negativity -- not realizing that he was in a very negative space and in the end did not accomplish anything the remainder of the afternoon -- which led to a bout with depression. Later in the day I picked up where I left off and managed to finish the project to be delivered to ht e client by the deadline -- I felt good about things -- however my colleague was so down and beat up -- he had a hard time getting excited.
Hey I'm not telling you all this b/c I'm a mental health practioner, or that I'm so much more evolved than anyone reading this -- I'm only human. You may run into a cab driver some day like a friend of mine who is a very successful lawyer. Please read on....................
This lawyer friend was involved in a series of tough cases, long depositions. The day would be hell for anyone, and then she stepped into a taxi to try and get to a family gathering in NYC and she was already late and greeted the driver with some urgency. The cab driver then proceeded to try and get my friend relaxed asking how her day was, and it was obvious she was in this NEGATIVE SPACE -- however none of it had anything to do with the cab driver, or his taxi...........Finally becoming exasperated with his passenger the cab driver said to my friend -- "Lady, you have a nice job? You live in a nice town with a nice house? You have a nice family, your children? From your attire you earn good money, wear nice clothes? So what do you have to complain about? If you don't change your attitude you will have to get out of my taxi -- Do you understand?" My friend proceeded to slink back in her seat and got quiet -- she did in fact calm down -- here was this cab driver probably not earning 10% of what my friend earns in a year, and he had the right advice for her at that moment. Of course he got a big tip at the end of the ride. My friend arrived to her family gathering extremely late -- but it wasn't b/c of the cab driver. The cab driver knew how damaging that type of negative energy could be in his line of work, and was willing to sacrifice a nice tip from a well dressed lawyer -- just to be rid of it and not becoming contaminated with that negativity.
Some helpful inks:
http://www.whatthebleep.com/
http://thesecret.tv/
We all know people like this -- how we deal with it -- and realizing the effect it will have on us and those around us is profound. My point in sharing all of this with you is -- recognize these dynamics -- even in yourself -- know when to take a break -- step away from the phone and desk -- change your atmosphere if you can -- meditate -- do some breathing exercises. If you've breathed in some negative vibe -- just let it go and it will pass. However one thing is for sure -- if you choose like my colleague did to stay and spend an afternoon trying to work in that environment be prepared to be enveloped by it -- and 4 hours later you may find yourself with little accomplished and the worst hangover you've ever experienced.
I'm not selling you anything here. I'm not asking you to buy anything -- this info and the links above may be helpful. When you look at yourself, your friends, your children -- when you look at your day yet to unfold -- is your mind open to possibility, or is the outcome already figured out by you. What are you attracting?
Have a great day!
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