We hear all the time that no one likes to listen to negative people. Negative people are seen as defeatist and unpleasant. Realistically, a negative viewpoint can be a good counterbalance for a group of positive people but negative people should proceed with caution to avoid damaging relationships and careers.
Before saying something negative, consider whether it’s worth saying at all. You should speak up if you foresee that someone is headed for catastrophe or if the downside is minimal. But most often it is probably better to keep your viewpoints to yourself.
If you are voicing your viewpoints to a group that is decidedly positive, frame your concerns as a step to achieving the outcome everybody else desires. For example, you see flaws in a plan that the group appears ready to adopt but this group sees you as negative. Before citing the plan’s flaws, “You all know the way I think…I need to work through what could be wrong before I can be positive about a plan. Here’s what caught my attention with this one…”
My next blog post will be about controlling negativity. If you are worried about being too negative and your thoughts are a concern to you, you might benefit from hypnosis or life coaching. Please contact me at 361.442.9590 or [email protected].