We’ve all experienced it, agonized over it, lost sleep because of it, stressed about it…the toxic office person. Here are 21 solutions to help you neutralize the toxicity:
1. Take control of what you can control. You cannot change the person – you can only change your reaction to the person.
2. Use “non-working” hours to build resilience and manage stress(if you’re not a young mom or dad, you have 56 of them per week!).
3. Intentionally listen to music to alter your emotions and attitude.
4. Mentally prepare to make a change.
5. Use the Triple A formula: Be Aware, Analyze, Take Action to frame your plan.
6. Understand/know the feelings that you are experiencing. Use those feelings to catapult your desire to change.
7. Talk to a friend.
8. Use all resources within your organization.
9. With every action – there is a reaction – do something!
10. Know there’s a solution to this problem.
11. Don’t label the person as the problem; label the behaviour.
12. Find one positive attribute about the toxic person.
13. Take time off to distance yourself from the situation.
14. If Plan A is not working, design Plan B.
15. Know that this too shall pass. Here are some other inspiring quotes to get you through stressful situations.
16. Write in a journal.
17. Avoid/limit exposure to the toxic person, when possible.
18. Use Post-it notes around your home to remind you of what you need to do (changing habits requires a little help - see instructions below).
19. You create your life. Use that power to change it.
20. Humour changes your perspective on everything. Laugh hard. Laugh often.
21. Believe in your worthiness to live a truly happy life experience.
Post-it Note Your Stress Away!
Changing a habit takes time and is hard work! If you have certain thought patterns you want to change, try this trusty little technique that will have you shifting those thoughts in the right direction quicker than you can say, "Bob's your uncle!"
Grab a pad of Post-it notes and write "When _____ I will _____ so I can _____." Copy your message out two or three times and place the Post-it notes in strategic locations: in your car, on your bathroom mirror, on the fridge door. Use this thought nudger for your daily affirmations, self-talk correction, etc.