This morning I found myself standing in a crowded restaraunt where a few feet away from me, another customer was the victim of one of those dreaded winter colds. Her constant coughing and sneezing and exhausted appearance let us other patrons know to keep our distance, which we gladly did.
It seems like common sense - to stay healthy, it pays to avoid the sick and contagious. But if it's this obvious here, why don't we apply this lesson in other areas of life?
We all have our daily run-ins with people who for whatever reason, seem to take pleasure in not only being frustrated, stressed, and miserable, but also in spreading their misery to those around them.
It's a cliche, but still true - attitudes are contagious. How many great days have been spoiled by an intrusive family member, a sour-tounged co-worker, a friend's drama, or some rude stranger's inconsiderate actions?
But for some reason, we accept these things as inevitable. When we do, we are denying ourselves the mental and spiritual health that we work so hard to protect on a physical level.
We ultimately have control over the people who participate in our lives. Take a moment to think about who may be quietly infecting you with their psychological toxins. Diagnose yourself - do you find yourself rundown, unmotivated, discouraged, or fed up with the world?
As young leaders, we need to protect our ability to think clearly and make better lives for ourselves and our families. If you are surrounded with negative attitudes and behaviors, the effects will ultimately transfer to you - as stress, anger, insecurity, isolation, and fatigue.
Just as in the restaurant, when you find someone exhibiting the warning signs, make sure that person stays as far away from you as possible. It doesn't make sense to stand in front of a sneezing patient trying to prove how strong or resilient we are - why do we do this emotionally?
The time to start feeling rejuvenated and inspired again is now. So get the negative people out of your life, and reclaim the mental strength and peace that you really deserve.
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The Leader's Survival Guide is daily insight for young men and women to inspire better living. Provided by Jonathan Carter of The Baltimore Renaissance Foundation, a nonprofit youth leadership organization in Baltimore, MD.
Posted By: Jon C.
Wednesday, February 7th 2007 at 3:08PM
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