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Beware of Mental Viruses Attacking You

Are you aware of the mental viruses attacking you in your business and personal life?

A new friend of mine in France told her baker that she was preparing to move to the San Francisco area, the dream of her life. She had also fallen in love with an investment banker in Palo Alto - nothing but great news and perspectives. Right? What do you think the baker's comments were? The baker responded: "Good luck with those guys; they hate the French people anyway. I wouldn't do it."

Sounds familiar? How much of that kind of behavior exists around you? How often are you tolerating it? This can come from your business partners, colleagues and always comes unexpected. Now, let us assess how damaging this is.

Those negative words and behaviors are powerful and insidious attacks of your optimism, your openness and in fact, they steal positive energy from you. They encourage you to close down and protect yourself. To go back to normal, you have to counter-balance that negative energy and re-assure yourself that this is wrong.

This is not feedback, this is not helping, this is a mental virus sabotaging you.

If ignored, it eats up your positive energy and anchors doubt in your plans.

Those viruses are manifestations that chronic pessimists and unhappy souls often create. Does that happen at work, in your personal life?

What can you do about it? You may even be living in an area where making negative attacks is the dominant culture!

Here are suggestions:

First decide that from now on, you are not taking negative dirt from anyone any longer. Welcome to the Club! You will tackle this on the spot every time with no exceptions - enough of this!
When this happen to you, do not lash back right away - if you can.
Start by noticing that you have just received a mental virus attack! Noticing and assessing before reacting is divine . It creates a bit of emotional distance between the attack and your response. No need to react more negatively than the attacker.

Now, respond while the person is still there or go back to this person to tell how wrong it is. Do it! Fight abuse on the spot. Learn to give firm feedback and give it generously. By forcing yourself to respond, you strengthen yourself and your "self definition'.

You decide what is good for you, nobody else should.

Now, that your courageous response is delivered, here is my favorite: throw back a positive virus at this person! Smile and say something that helps this person realize what they are doing. Say something like: "Come on, I am sure that you can tell me something more encouraging…" or "Wow… Why would a good person like you wish me bad luck?".
This is fun. Enjoy! ##### Publisher's Box #####

© Herve da Costa, Certified Master Entrepreneur, Business & Get-it-Done Coach at www.MyPrivateCoach.com
Herve da Costa is the Get-it-Done & Business Coach at MyPrivateCoach: Business Coach. He can be contacted at info@myprivatecoach.com.
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