How to Handle a Hard Personality

Know anyone with a "chip on their shoulder"? I'm talking about the kind of person that could go out without a costume on Halloween night and still pass off as a fire-breathing dragon. Anybody coming to mind yet? We've all experienced somebody who, no matter what you do, he or she just simply will not be pleased. Some of us grew up with a parent like that (or brother or sister)? Some of us have a wife or husband like that? (Ouch.) Or maybe it's a boss for you or a co-worker or maybe even a client? It could be just about anybody that has a hard personality who's in our life at any given time. The fact is we must deal with these folks because they're just not going anywhere (for those of us who can't run away). So what do you do (short of buying them a "Grumpy" sweatshirt to wear)? How does one handle a hard personality? I'd like to offer you some suggestions. I'm convinced they'll go a long way in easing your own tension level and taking the edge off the person(s) in question...

How to handle a hard personality:

1. Be nice to him or her.

2. Choose words that lesson the tension (even though you feel like saying something else).

3. Take note of one thing that bugs you about him or her and then look closely at your own life. You might be surprised to find a similar problem/issue there, too.

4. Realize you only have control over yourself, your own emotions and responses.

5. Forgive.

6. Love. (The Golden Rule: HERE)

7. Don't be a hard personality yourself.