Not everyone appreciates yelling.
Or so we’ve heard.
So before you go tell off your grandma or give the Starbucks guy a piece of your mind, check out these past Notable gems that make up our guide to handling people this holiday season.
Count to Ten
Hey if ain’t broke, don’t fix it. Counting to ten is an age-old method for keeping it cool during emotional moments, and it still really works. So when dealing with difficult people this holiday, let logic catch up with emotion by taking a quick ten to regroup and relax. Just try it: The Timeless Benefits of Counting to 10.
Find Your Assertive Sweet Spot
Just because it’s Christmas doesn’t mean we have to be a bunch of pushovers. It’s ok to assert yourself with family and friends during the holiday season, just keep it in the sweet spot, the middle path, where mutual respect and tolerance make saying ‘no’ to your boss or mother-in-law, a little less harsh: 7 Tips for Finding the Assertive Sweet Spot.
Be More Open Minded – Seriously
We all consider ourselves to be pretty open minded, right? But are we really? If you find yourself judging and criticizing others this Christmas, take a minute to refresh yourself on the importance of being open minded. Even the worst Christmas Grinches deserve some understanding: Signs You May Not Be As Open Minded As You Think.
Know When, and When Not to Speak Up
At office parties and family gatherings, it’s important to know when it’s cool to share personal opinions, bits of advice, helpful corrections…and when it’s to not. Rule of thumb: genuine compliments are nice, character judgments are not; always think twice (or three times) before opining after a few rum and eggnogs; and no one likes a know it all: When to Open Your Big Mouth, The Importance of Recognizing When Not to Speak Up.
Learn Something New About Yourself
As the savvy Carl Jung once said, “Everything that irritates us about others can lead us to a better understanding of ourselves.” This holiday season, take the opportunity to get better educated about who you really are, via the people that irk you most: What our Dislike for Others Can Reveal About Ourselves.
Don’t Take it Personally
You’re bound to receive some criticism over the holidays. It’s just one of those things that family and friends, gathered in one place, lubricated with liquid Christmas cheer, tend to do. Thankfully, as resilient young professionals, we know just how to handle the critics, by keeping helpful points in mind, but taking none of it to heart: Keep Criticism in Mind But Don’t Take it to Heart.
Play Nice
You don’t have to like everyone or enjoy every activity, but during the holiday season (and for the rest of your adult life) you do have to learn how to get along with the world. Sure, it’s important to stay true to yourself and speak out when necessary, but it’s equally important to know how to put on a smile, offer a nod, and just enjoy yourself, for the sake of social appropriateness and for the greater good. So knock back some cider, stretch out that grin, and go with the holiday flow: The Importance of Playing Nice for Young Professionals.
Appreciate the Moment
Hey, it’s supposed to be the most wonderful time of the year, right? Practicing mindfulness and learning to live in – and appreciate – the moment really helps bring out the compassion and positive energy that makes this time of year as special as it is. There’s no better occasion than the holidays to make a conscious effort to stop and smell the gingerbread: How to Make it a Mindful New Year.
#NOTABLE
Cover from: Anchor Man
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